We are well settled into a routine now. We have fewer “individual moments” with the little ones as their volunteer is now back from her touring. Instead Gil and Wyn, along with Ben, a young student from Canada, have the responsibility of taking eight of the youngest preschoolers (petits pre-schoolers) for two hours of special activities twice a week. The preschool has 19 children with limited space for the children, teacher and her assistant. Having eight fewer children for part of the time allows the teacher to concentrate on the children who will soon be going to school. These eight 3 – 4 year olds are as active as young kids anywhere. They crave attention and are so happy to do something new each time. Thanks to Peg’s bubble machines we have had a great time blowing bubbles. The play dough has also been a great hit and kept the entire group occupied for an hour. The children are also learning our names and call us vahaza (foreigner) less often now. It is hard for them because there are about ten volunteers at a time with regular turnover.
Ball play is also very popular. We have a limited number of balls so the first few sessions was spent trying to convey the concept of sharing (difficult for us without the language). A great success has been one boy who had a tantrum every time he lost the ball, who now participates fully in joint play with the others. The place where we play with the balls is very dry and dusty and the children are returned to their classroom covered in dust and hardly recognisable.
Gil and Wyn have started individual lessons with some primary school children who need extra help. This is sometimes a hit and miss affair: they often forget to come, have other duties to perform, (like doing the cleaning up after the lunch), the key to the classroom goes missing, there is no chalk or paper. But when the kids do show they clearly enjoy our input and attention. We work on maths, puzzles, English, drawing and writing.
Wyn has acquired two English classes, They are beginners Year 1 and 2, but because of the unusual situations that bring the children to the Home, some are older than what is normally expected in early classes. Regardless, these children are keen to learn and enjoy the challenge of saying words and sentences. Wyn finds it a challenge teaching English in French!
Gil is regularly called on for medical opinion, most of the ailments are minor and all that is required is reassurance and TLC. He is working with the Domestic Science teacher to address health issues of girls who are placed in the Home as teenagers by the courts. Many have had no schooling and are too old to place in the regular secondary school system. Instead, they are taught cooking, sewing and other skills which will hopefully help them into employment. Their health concerns are many; some come to the Home already pregnant and with little knowledge about self-care.. Early and unwanted pregnancies seem to be a problem in the country as a whole with a very high birth rate.
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