In the mornings, I am now teaching class to 33 children.
They range from the age of 4 to 10. Some of them have memorized how to count
and the alphabet, but there is little recognition of the written numbers or
letters. So I have been working on recognition and also writing. Alot of times,
I just get scribbles back from them, but I have been trying to get them to
trace so that maybe one day it will click for them. I seem to do the same thing
day in and day out, but hopefully that is what will help them learn. Sammy, the
oldest, I know is not being challenged enough. He is very smart and has been to
school before he came to the care center. He can even read a bit. I try to give
him more challenging things to do but sometimes he gets mad because he wants to
do what everyone else is doing. It is also hard because sometimes I don't think
they understand what I am asking them to do. Luckily, some of the nannies are
able to translate. Alot of the children have come from rural villages about 4
or 5 hours from Addis Ababa and have their own language and then they have to
learn Amharic because that is the language the nannies use, and now I am also
teaching them English. Poor kids. I just hope to be able to give them a little
bit of exposure to English, so that they are not totally lost when they come to
the US. I can't imagine them being put into schools right away when they come
to the US. I think the transition for the older children will be very
difficult.
In the afternoons, I go back and play with the toddlers. They are really sweet,
but very possessive of me. They don't like to share my attention. I have taught
one little boy Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. He is so cute when he tries to do
it on his own. And David, I have brought your Around and Around the Garden -
they love it! There is a child that I really wish I could find a home for.
His name is Merituh and he is two years old but has lots of difficulties. His
face has been burned and parts of his legs. He is also struggling still to
learn how to walk. But he is a joy to be around. I have been working alot with
him to get better strength in his legs and work on his balancing while
standing. So far, he is doing alot better since I first came. He might even
walk before I leave! As soon as he sees
me, he comes shuffling over to me on his bottom with a huge smile. However, he
doesn't like it much when the other children want my attention also. But he's
learning to share. I really wish he would get matched with a family before I
leave, so I won't feel so bad leaving him. I am just afraid he is going to feel
abandoned all over again. I guess that really makes me look at what I am doing
and if volunteering is really a good thing. It's really a catch-22. I want to
help but am I really helping if I develop close relationships with these
children and then leave. Creating sustained
relationships are very important. Sometimes I feel that I am being selfish, and
just doing it for myself. I guess I'll have to work this out for myself during
the next year.
I am having a wonderful time and I feel like a celebrity when I am with the
children. I hope they also get as much love from me that I get from them.
Everyone I have met here has been so friendly and hospitable. I am always
striking up conversation with people on the street as I am walking back and
forth.
