Sunday, June 13, 2010

So much happens everyday that I dont really know where to start on a blog. I could blog everyday but it is kinda hard to explain how it really is here, and I feel like I am not doing it justice by talking about a few things, but I dont know any better way.
I am mainly working with the foundation called dequeni. As I explained before we work with kids that normally would be working on the streets. The organization is one of the leaders in the country in the fight against child labor. But the kids usually come from bery humble socioeconomic backgrounds as well. Many of them are starved for attention and have behavior problems. Most days I help them with their homework, and I am trying to teach some of them how to read. We also play games and do arts and crafts activities. We just celebrated the international day against childhood labor, and we had a big celebration at the foundation with games for all the kids, and their parents. But it was a real desaster trying to organize a hundred and fifty kids into groups to play games. Last week I also implemented a new form of rewards and punishments for the kids based on their behavior everyday. I was really nervous that the people that I work with wouldnt like it because it creats more work for them, but they really seems to be using it, and it really works with the kids.
I am also working with a school that right next to my house. I am trying to start a school garden, but I am having a really hard time getting it started. I want the garden to have a deeper meaning for the kids, and I want them to understand that maintaining the garden is like maintianing the environtment. My site has a problem with trash managment, and littering, so Im trying to teach the kids at the school about the importance of taking care of their school, and their community. My friend jose luis and I tought 10 clases the other day about the decompasition of trash and the importance of not littering. I dont know if Im getting through to them though. Well see I guess.
OH and you wouldnt believe how crazy they are here for the world cup. There are paraguayan flags everywhere and I think there will be riots if they win, and also when they loose.
I am having a really hard time writing in english right now, so dont make fun of my spelling.
Until next time