Following the event we had an Out of State Documents Meeting. Several volunteers, one of which was the lawyer, filed through all of the applications with a fine toothed come. We took each application and checked for proof of ID (or the IDignity alternative which has been approved by almost every state, except a few states like NY and NJ), personal information, proof of address, and other needs that may have been over looked at the event. We then compared each application to its respective states rules of application, an example is that some states will return an application if the applicant's name is not present on the money order or check provided by IDignity. By the end of the meeting, we had proofed every application.
As each week with this event, there was one moment that truly stood out. Through out the week I continued working on the application packets, since most other volunteers can only come once a week. Since this is my first time working through this process, I forgot a piece of the packets, luckily Lisa makes sure to review my work pretty quickly. I had to file through applications and add a few documents. Being my normal overly-cautious self / curious self, I looked through each one carefully, even if they didn't match my criteria. Somehow I found an application whose ID was about to expire in so short a time, if we did not send it soon, it would more than likely be sent back to us. If it were sent back, we would not only have to track down the client, but find a time and place for the lawyer to meet her/him for representation paperwork (States will allow a lawyer to file for an individual, so long as the individual has signed the agreement).
After several calls to get the go ahead, we were able to expedite the application, in hopes to have it delivered before the expiration of the ID. Godspeed to it. I guess I should stop focusing so hard on the negative aspect of my mistakes, and see how they, ironically, push me to where I need to be to make a positive impact.
Looking forward to continuing to work with my site in the fall and getting back into the structure of academic life! This has been one crazy summer.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
VFCCH IDignity Volusia Event!! (Week of August 4-8)
This week was the nitty-gritty for the inaugural event for IDignity Volusia. VFCCH has done IDignity DeLand for the past 3-4 years, but never hosted one in Daytona Beach. On Sunday we got together to have a last meeting to discuss placements and responsibilities. Sarah-Michelle and I were to work as guides and helping clients fill out the cumbersome applications for non-Florida birth certificates.
The day of the event was really exciting. Both Clients and Volunteers were ecstatic. It was nerve wracking for me, since I was one of the newbies, but there were moments that made all the nerves worth it. The individual I wrote about in my past post, was able to come to the event! I wasn't the one who got to present him with his Birth Certificate, but I was the one who found it, after a small fluke with the system. He ended up being the story of the day. I never got to meet the man, but Shelly, the lawyer who presented it to him, told me that he was extremely grateful that he finally existed again.
Most of the event I helped clients fill out there applications or helped with various technological issues throughout the day. Between myself and the AmeriCorps Vista, Liam, we were able to keep the technology running smoothly. As I said earlier there was a technical glitch with the online system.
After the event, I got to sit and talk with my site supervisor, Lisa Hamilton. She told me that the event is the easy part, and that the hard part is advocating for the clients when we send in applications. Sometimes the applications are sent back to us, forcing us to track down the client and reapply. That is the real hard part, she said, finding the person, and telling them that the process has to start again.
Lisa and I discussed my future role in IDignity events, and decided I would not only work at the events, but help the team who researches state information, contacts clients, and conducts the after-event application process for documents. We will be having the first work-group session on August 12th. Looking forward to it!
Monday, August 11, 2014
VFCCH IDignity (Behind the Scenes)
Last Week (Week of 7/28),
I was able to sit in with a group of volunteers who work behind the scenes to help get birth certificates for IDignity Clients. They taught me how the Out of State Birth Certificate process works, and showed me some of the work that goes on in between IDignity events. It was really humbling to see the amount of work these individuals do along with their normal full time jobs.
After working with the volunteers to help file for client birth certificates, I was able to call past clients and set up a time for them to pick up their birth certificates at the Neighborhood Center. Several clients were unable to be contacted directly, but were persistent and called our office as soon as they heard about the event in Daytona Beach.
The most touching moment of my summer so far, was when a elderly man from a past event called regarding the identification he filed for. When he heard that his information was on file, and he could receive it at the next event, he was ecstatic.
The man's voice began to crack and he said, " It's going to feel so good... I can't believe I am a person again...I exist. Thank you so much, God bless you all..It has been so long..."
I didn't know how to respond. All I could get out was, " Thank you sir, we look forward to seeing you at the event."
As soon as the call ended, I looked at Barb, giving her a summary of what happened. Then I said, " He was making me tear up. Usually I get someone frustrated about how it's taking us too long and I have to keep from getting frustrated. Now I have someone making me tear up, how am I supposed to react to this?"
She just smiled and said " You just let it happen and stay calm. You can be happy, but try to finish up before you get too emotional."
I am pretty sure that this was one of those moments, that makes it all worth it. All the stress of the service we do, the bad days, the hard classes. All that "rough time" for one moment like this. It's worth it.
Last Week (Week of 7/28),
I was able to sit in with a group of volunteers who work behind the scenes to help get birth certificates for IDignity Clients. They taught me how the Out of State Birth Certificate process works, and showed me some of the work that goes on in between IDignity events. It was really humbling to see the amount of work these individuals do along with their normal full time jobs.
After working with the volunteers to help file for client birth certificates, I was able to call past clients and set up a time for them to pick up their birth certificates at the Neighborhood Center. Several clients were unable to be contacted directly, but were persistent and called our office as soon as they heard about the event in Daytona Beach.
The most touching moment of my summer so far, was when a elderly man from a past event called regarding the identification he filed for. When he heard that his information was on file, and he could receive it at the next event, he was ecstatic.
The man's voice began to crack and he said, " It's going to feel so good... I can't believe I am a person again...I exist. Thank you so much, God bless you all..It has been so long..."
I didn't know how to respond. All I could get out was, " Thank you sir, we look forward to seeing you at the event."
As soon as the call ended, I looked at Barb, giving her a summary of what happened. Then I said, " He was making me tear up. Usually I get someone frustrated about how it's taking us too long and I have to keep from getting frustrated. Now I have someone making me tear up, how am I supposed to react to this?"
She just smiled and said " You just let it happen and stay calm. You can be happy, but try to finish up before you get too emotional."
I am pretty sure that this was one of those moments, that makes it all worth it. All the stress of the service we do, the bad days, the hard classes. All that "rough time" for one moment like this. It's worth it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Reflection
Unfortunately, in my final week, I am unable to finish off the summer as I've been diagnosed with Streph throat and am highly contagious. Sitting at home these past few days has made me really nostalgic and for these past few years I've been a counselor. I know that many of my kids will not remember me, as I barely remember my counselors from my times at camp, but I know I'll remember these three summers until I'm old and grey. When I regale with fellow counselors about previous summers, we have dozens of stories and can remember all of the kids' exact names in telling them. This summer was especially impactful because it's the last time I'll work here, so I think I unconsciously tried to take it all in as much as possible.
Of course I had favorite kids, my little helpers, who would always drop whatever they were doing to help me with something, the kids who always came to camp eager. But even my more challenging kids, those who obviously aren't given too much structure or attention at home, will linger. Sweet moments with my rudest kids who let down their walls for just a minute to cry or help another kid - that's how I know my work matters. When my kids step outside their image just for a second to be kind and courteous to each other, that's why I work at camp. Seeing children who come into camp with no social skills or any semblance of how to be a student exit camp an old pro at navigating hallways, going through the lunch lines, playing with other kids, etc.
I've learned a lot this summer, primarily about my communication skills. Not only with the kids, but with my coworkers. I honestly, consciously, worked really hard this summer to make sure that the instructions I gave were clear and that those around me knew the expectations. I made sure to break the protocol for bus riding or visiting the pool into smaller steps for the kids to understand, and I tried to make myself and my choices as transparent as possible for our newer counselors so they could learn from me. I think in the case of Justin and Leana, this was really helpful. Leana was often confused about protocol and I think I helped clear a lot of simple confusion up for her. Justin, however, had not a drop of knowledge about kids when he came in. I think if I hadn't been by his side those first two weeks, he would have been in much hotter water than he ended up in.
Overall, this summer returned a lot of confidence to me. It showed me that I can command a room and effectively lead a group of people, even if they're only five. It also reminded me that I am creative, which is a trait I often forget. I also felt confident in the parenting of kids in Flagler County. In Bonner we often talk about underprivileged youth who are ignored by their families and left behind in school, and while this camp is just under $100 per week to attend, we usually always have quite a few kids who exhibit those signs of not very much attention at home. Wealth does not always equate to an attentive parent. I am really pleased to say we only had, in my experience, I didn't see a lot of those kids. I saw kids who became knowledgable, but who were kind, played well, and didn't come to camp for attention. I read an interesting quote the other day, which read, "Children who are loved at home come to school to learn, children who don't come to school for love." I immediately understood. With this in mind, I think I successfully tried to love all of my kids as much as I could, and reaped those benefits in the form of kids who changed significantly from the time before they were in my care.
This was an incredible last summer at camp, and it am so blessed and grateful to have been here.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Honor Baslim - Week 5
Hey people,
So this week was the week of Fourth of July so I didn't volunteer on Friday, but still had plenty to do before and after the 4th. Things for the most part were pretty low key this week - though I did meet Diane Keaton (she saved a dog and brought it to our adoption center) she pretty much looks exactly like that --->
We also are having some issues with one of our horses, Spurs. The instructors ride each of the horses on lesson days, however they've all been having it be very uncomfortable to ride Spurs. What this tells us is that their is something wrong with the horses gate - much like humans if there is something wrong with the way that the horse walks it often can do more damage or be covering up a more serious issue with the animal. So we're going to arrange for one of the veterinarians that works at Helen Woodward to get on Spurs to feel it for herself since it's so difficult to explain. I'll let you know next week what she finds.
On Saturday, because it was so hot and we were still down one instructor we decided not to have formal lessons with all the hot leather tack that is typically involved. So we threw bareback pads on the horses and got out the giant soccer ball (as pictured below) and let the kids and horses go to town with various tasks and challenges.
We also are having some issues with one of our horses, Spurs. The instructors ride each of the horses on lesson days, however they've all been having it be very uncomfortable to ride Spurs. What this tells us is that their is something wrong with the horses gate - much like humans if there is something wrong with the way that the horse walks it often can do more damage or be covering up a more serious issue with the animal. So we're going to arrange for one of the veterinarians that works at Helen Woodward to get on Spurs to feel it for herself since it's so difficult to explain. I'll let you know next week what she finds.
On Saturday, because it was so hot and we were still down one instructor we decided not to have formal lessons with all the hot leather tack that is typically involved. So we threw bareback pads on the horses and got out the giant soccer ball (as pictured below) and let the kids and horses go to town with various tasks and challenges.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Last week I continued my never ending quest of contacting possible volunteers and organizations in the Daytona Beach area for the August 7th IDignity Volusia event. I also helped to obtain basic supplies necessary for each station that will be at the event, like the DMV and Legal teams. I was extremely excited Friday morning, as I was able to attend one of the main planning meetings. I met one of individuals who helped organize the original IDignity event that took place in Orlando in 2008! The meeting was full of representatives from different non-profits. It was really cool to see so many people working together to make this event happen. I am looking forward to seeing the leadership team again Tuesday night for more planning.
Mike the head of Community Outreach at the VFCCH has been able to secure a number of bus passes to help the clients who live in the areas surrounding Daytona Beach reach the event. Local non-profits will disperse these bus passes to clients later this week.
I am really excited the event is coming soon, a lot of people have been waiting for it. Many of people in the Daytona Beach area were not able to come to the last IDignity events in DeLand or Orlando because of transportation. This will be the first time they will be able to benefit from its services.
Rehoboth Children's Home
So this week was my last week at the home. It was pretty heart breaking to have to say bye to the kids. We spent a lot time together this week taking a lot of photos and playing soccer. I spent the last couple nights with the girls because the directors didn't want them to resent them for sending me to the boys' house. We made churros and watched movies. The boys drew me lots of pictures before I left. One of them decided to forgo playing soccer to stay with me while I helped the rest of the kids with their HW. They made me a goodbye cake and some of the kids cried which made me cry....lololol. I'm gonna miss these kids so much, I already know I need to come back.
On my last morning I took the kids to the bus stop for the last time and might have teared up a little bit.....Here's Walter & Oliver waiting for the bus (LOL @ Olly's face)
This week my office work consisted of making short promo videos for the Rehab Center in English and Spanish. I had to take pictures of the center and the men. There is so much work to do here. The only thing I have left to do for them is finish the website. This experience was trying at times but I wouldn't change a single thing.
See you all at Stetty!
Bella
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Week 7: Best Week Ever
This was not yet my last week serving at the IRMC for the summer, and next week certainly will not be my last. Serving at Indian River Medical Center has honestly been one of my most valuable and gratifying experiences of my life and will always will be. It has provided me with countless friendships and connections, directed me to a more specific career path, built my character, and brought me tremendous fulfillment.
Not yet knowing what next week will hold, I have to say that this week was the best week thus far! As I mentioned I would last week, I took advantage of the invitation I received from a surgeons to observe live surgeries. It was absolutely incredible. When I arrived at the hospital in the morning, I went up to the operating room entrance, got changed into scrubs, and immediately began watching an ongoing gastric bypass surgery. There were three probes inserted in the patient's CO2-filled abdomen (CO2 to keep the abdomen inflated for operating within). One site served as the entrance where the camera was inserted to display an enlarged image on the monitors. The other two served as sites where the surgeon entered to operate. All of the incisions were small in these cases. The surgeon sectioned off a portion of the stomach, and connected the other part of the stomach to the small intestine by creating an opening in each and sewing them together. The part of the stomach that was sectioned off will shrivel somewhat, as no food will enter it. As a result, food consumed by the patient will only enter the other part of the stomach and the patient will feel fuller much more easily. I believe that there was also some operation between the small and large intestine that I missed at the beginning, but the main goal of a gastric bypass is to "shrink" the stomach. The surgeon's work there was done. The PA (Physician's Assistant) and several others were left to the tasks of stitching up the exterior incisions, and the anesthesiologist to restore the patient to consciousness.
I then followed the same surgeon to a gallbladder removal surgery, mastectomy, and a thyroid removal surgery. The surgeon is a general surgeon, which is why he performs these multiple types of surgeries. Each one was extremely contrasting and fascinating. For the thyroid removal, I also watched the lab specialists create a slide from a section of the thyroid to ultimately identify whether the small mass within the thyroid gland was benign or malignant. The slide-creating process itself was incredible due to the various materials, substances, and methods that were used. The slide then was brought to a man in his office (I did not catch his job title) where he and I viewed the prepared thyroid cross-section through a microscope. The mass turned out to be benign and the man pointed out the microscopic characteristics that led him to make this conclusion.
What made this experience so exciting for me was the fact that I saw and felt what it was like to be in these job positions. I have been considering following the track to becoming a PA for some time now, but was bombarded with the innumerable medical career options and opinions of others. However, more than I have in shadowing or considering any other career, I felt very strongly as though I could be a surgical PA. Career searching has been a complicated and unclear process for me, but gaining the insight that I am from my experiences and conversation is leading me closet to finding what I will set the goal of becoming. And as many people do, I will probably hold several medical positions within my lifetime.
Aside from my day of viewing surgeries, I was able to do some more IC work and help in the auxiliary during the week. I am having such a wonderful time in each task that I perform and with all of the staff and volunteers. It has truly been an incredible Summer of Service for so many reasons.
I hope that everyone else's summers have been as fulfilling as mine. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon and continuing the education that I love!
B-love
P.S. Here's a real picture of me scrubbing up for surgical viewings!
Monday, July 21, 2014
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 6
Happy Friday y'all!
This week afforded us a surprise field trip to Daytona Lagoon, which was an awesome treat for our kids because it's an expensive trip and we definitely weren't expecting to go twice. Monday and Tuesday were regular camp days. I apologize for not posting more photos, but it is a public school and we've had some issues with employees being inappropriate in recent years, so I'd prefer not to show their faces rather than causing trouble :]
Daytona Lagoon was straight up wacky. We arrived and it was already lightning, so there was a chance we were just going to turn around right their. The employees were super helpful and gave us a birthday room rather than the huge tables up on the roof, but it was a lot smaller than we were used to and so cleaning up spills was pretty difficult. We waited for the rain to subside so I read the kids a long story (Zack Files, FTW). When it finally stopped, we headed outside, and the water was freezing! Within five minutes, all of their little lips were bright blue. Even though I offered to sit out with most of them, they insisted on staying in for 45 minutes. The lifeguard on the tallest kiddie water slide was a riot, and the kids loved him. He was splashing and playful, and totally polite, which is a refreshing change from the dozens of aloof lifeguards that work there. Luckily they didn't get soaking wet from the rain on the walk back to the bus like last time, and could thus take a sweet little nap on the ride home.
This week's home ec was a choice between chocolate pudding with whipped cream in an ice cream cone, or an ice pop. Not much assembly necessary but boy were they yummy. The pudding thing was using leftovers from a 4-5 home ec activity in which they created edible teacups a la Alice in Wonderland, which looked like this: it was so adorable.
The rest of the week was nice and smooth. I'm really proud of how some of my kids are improving, and I feel like the kids and I have grown together. I learn how to lead them more and more as we go along, and they are learning how to follow directions and are really improving on how they play together. I have a few new students and it makes me proud to hear them asking other kids their names and playing with a variety of kids. One of my kids, who used to be the worst member of his old group whom I mentioned became an angel upon staying with me, is regressing somewhat into his old ways. When I ask him to play in another area or not do a certain thing (like tossing toys) he's beginning to shut down and retreat, which is a behavior which used to occur when he was a member of the purple group. I'm not at all sure what has caused this, but I think I'm going to have a chat with him to find out. I take pride in seeing my kids sitting the nicest in the cafeteria, and I have to have group time-outs less and less as we go along because there's hardly ever anything I need to discipline them for. I think they have really grown and are going to make great kindergarten and first graders this year, and that alone let's me know this has been a successful summer.
This week afforded us a surprise field trip to Daytona Lagoon, which was an awesome treat for our kids because it's an expensive trip and we definitely weren't expecting to go twice. Monday and Tuesday were regular camp days. I apologize for not posting more photos, but it is a public school and we've had some issues with employees being inappropriate in recent years, so I'd prefer not to show their faces rather than causing trouble :]
Daytona Lagoon was straight up wacky. We arrived and it was already lightning, so there was a chance we were just going to turn around right their. The employees were super helpful and gave us a birthday room rather than the huge tables up on the roof, but it was a lot smaller than we were used to and so cleaning up spills was pretty difficult. We waited for the rain to subside so I read the kids a long story (Zack Files, FTW). When it finally stopped, we headed outside, and the water was freezing! Within five minutes, all of their little lips were bright blue. Even though I offered to sit out with most of them, they insisted on staying in for 45 minutes. The lifeguard on the tallest kiddie water slide was a riot, and the kids loved him. He was splashing and playful, and totally polite, which is a refreshing change from the dozens of aloof lifeguards that work there. Luckily they didn't get soaking wet from the rain on the walk back to the bus like last time, and could thus take a sweet little nap on the ride home.
This week's home ec was a choice between chocolate pudding with whipped cream in an ice cream cone, or an ice pop. Not much assembly necessary but boy were they yummy. The pudding thing was using leftovers from a 4-5 home ec activity in which they created edible teacups a la Alice in Wonderland, which looked like this: it was so adorable.
The rest of the week was nice and smooth. I'm really proud of how some of my kids are improving, and I feel like the kids and I have grown together. I learn how to lead them more and more as we go along, and they are learning how to follow directions and are really improving on how they play together. I have a few new students and it makes me proud to hear them asking other kids their names and playing with a variety of kids. One of my kids, who used to be the worst member of his old group whom I mentioned became an angel upon staying with me, is regressing somewhat into his old ways. When I ask him to play in another area or not do a certain thing (like tossing toys) he's beginning to shut down and retreat, which is a behavior which used to occur when he was a member of the purple group. I'm not at all sure what has caused this, but I think I'm going to have a chat with him to find out. I take pride in seeing my kids sitting the nicest in the cafeteria, and I have to have group time-outs less and less as we go along because there's hardly ever anything I need to discipline them for. I think they have really grown and are going to make great kindergarten and first graders this year, and that alone let's me know this has been a successful summer.
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 5
This week was awesome!
I unfortunately was sent home Monday morning because we came back from the Fourth and only had 50 kids in K-1. State ratio is one counselor to 25 kids, and while we try to keep at most a 1:18 ratio, one of us had to go home. I was one of the only ones who has never been sent home, I volunteered to save the others some hours. I used it as time to clean our house, so it was not wasted!
Tuesday was a regular old day at camp, but Wednesday was extra fun! We told our kids we were going to practice for the movie theater field trip (pending PG movies that enter the theaters) by having a movie day at camp! Because so many of them were jazzed about the current How to Train Your Dragon II, we decided to show them the original, complete with two rounds of fresh popcorn. I think it went successfully, and all of the kids had a really fun time and were pretty well-behaved for their first "practice run" (;]).
Wednesday was officially the best field trip we've ever done, and it sent us right down to beautiful DeLand. For the first time in my past two years at Stetson, I visited the Reptile Discovery Center on International Speedway. Oh my gosh ya'll, it was awesome. It began with a half mile walking tour outside along their "Discovery Trail" and the first animal on the tour was a mother alligator, who was snapping her hungry jaws at some grub right as we walked by. It was only mildly terrifying, and the kids were really excited to see such a rarely seen animal so close up. After that we saw an iguana, some skinks, some tortoises, a water monitor (heir to the Komodo Dragon, which is my favorite animal.), various other reptiles. The indoor portion of the tour included a huge room filled with venomous snakes (and a Komodo Dragon skull!) of all different regions, which the kids had an entire five minutes to explore. Trust me, it was plenty. They had a massive blast. The final portion was the cherry on top: a live demonstration of how the center extracts venom from the most deadly snakes in Florida and then creates anti venom for Pfizer right here in DeLand Florida. My mind blew. It was so awesome!
Then after a nice lunch under a covered area and bathrooming all of the kids, we were only caught in the rain for a minute before boarding the bus and heading home. Thursday and Friday were also pretty uneventful, but Friday afternoon's home ec project were nachos. Camp doesn't really have a weekly theme this year, but the kids had a great time mixing and mating toppings for their chips. All in all, a wonderful week of camp :]
I unfortunately was sent home Monday morning because we came back from the Fourth and only had 50 kids in K-1. State ratio is one counselor to 25 kids, and while we try to keep at most a 1:18 ratio, one of us had to go home. I was one of the only ones who has never been sent home, I volunteered to save the others some hours. I used it as time to clean our house, so it was not wasted!
Tuesday was a regular old day at camp, but Wednesday was extra fun! We told our kids we were going to practice for the movie theater field trip (pending PG movies that enter the theaters) by having a movie day at camp! Because so many of them were jazzed about the current How to Train Your Dragon II, we decided to show them the original, complete with two rounds of fresh popcorn. I think it went successfully, and all of the kids had a really fun time and were pretty well-behaved for their first "practice run" (;]).
Wednesday was officially the best field trip we've ever done, and it sent us right down to beautiful DeLand. For the first time in my past two years at Stetson, I visited the Reptile Discovery Center on International Speedway. Oh my gosh ya'll, it was awesome. It began with a half mile walking tour outside along their "Discovery Trail" and the first animal on the tour was a mother alligator, who was snapping her hungry jaws at some grub right as we walked by. It was only mildly terrifying, and the kids were really excited to see such a rarely seen animal so close up. After that we saw an iguana, some skinks, some tortoises, a water monitor (heir to the Komodo Dragon, which is my favorite animal.), various other reptiles. The indoor portion of the tour included a huge room filled with venomous snakes (and a Komodo Dragon skull!) of all different regions, which the kids had an entire five minutes to explore. Trust me, it was plenty. They had a massive blast. The final portion was the cherry on top: a live demonstration of how the center extracts venom from the most deadly snakes in Florida and then creates anti venom for Pfizer right here in DeLand Florida. My mind blew. It was so awesome!
Then after a nice lunch under a covered area and bathrooming all of the kids, we were only caught in the rain for a minute before boarding the bus and heading home. Thursday and Friday were also pretty uneventful, but Friday afternoon's home ec project were nachos. Camp doesn't really have a weekly theme this year, but the kids had a great time mixing and mating toppings for their chips. All in all, a wonderful week of camp :]
VFCCH
I am currently working with the Volusia/Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless.
For the last week I have been doing outreach, recruiting churches and helping to organize the IDignity Volusia event that will be taking place in Daytona Beach on August 7. For those who do not know what IDignity is, it is an event that helps homeless and disadvantaged individuals get their social security number, birth certificate, state ID, and driver license, all things that would be needed for applying for jobs, or getting bank accounts. After having some complications we have a group of churches who have agreed to help with outreach, and a church to host the event. Unfortunately we have not gotten as many volunteers as we predict will be needed, but both Mike, the outreach coordinator, and I will continue to work on recruiting volunteers. Our goal is to have most volunteers from the Daytona Beach area, so the community feels more connected and are more aware of the impact they can make in their own city.
I have really enjoyed working with the staff at VFCCH and focusing on the outreach. As most of us know, I am usually a very quiet individual, but this work has put me out of my comfort zone. I am almost constantly working with individuals in a professional environment. Mike has been working with me one on one, helping me build my confidence and helping me learn the administrative roles of planning a large event. I am looking forward to continue working with VFCCH throughout my Summer and the school year.
B-LOVE
Larry Swartz
Rehoboth Children's Home
Week 6
Wazzup everybody! (Yes I really said that but it's too late to turn back now.)
Brace yourselves. More unfunny jokes are coming.
So as this week wraps up it's really starting to sink in that I'll be leaving these kids pretty soon. While I'm excited to get back to school and see everyone, I'm definitely gonna feel the void of not seeing the kids. These kids have brought so much happiness to me during my time here. It's truly inspiring considering that these kids have all experienced some kind of tragedy or abuse in their lives. That being said, this week I worked on a number of things, chief among them being writing updates to each kid's history. Having read through each case, I have a deeper understanding to everything that they have overcome and why they might act up sometimes. However, I've decided to highlight some of the funnier moments in the week.
As I mentioned in my last post, Chici left for the U.S this week, leaving Victor to fend for himself in the kitchen. As an act of kindness, the house father, Adrian, offered Victor some breakfast. Which went something like this...
Tio Adrian: Don Victor! I made some duck eggs, do you want some?
Don Victor: EW.
Which was immediately followed by uproarious laughter of all those present.
I´ve really been enjoying the kids this week and trying to take everything in. And these kids are hilarious. We´ve gotten into the habit of telling jokes and funny stories during cleaning time to make things more fun. The little ones say the funniest things without even realizing it. For example...
Noe: Tia Bella do you know the Dora the explorer theme song?
Me: Dora dora dora exploradoraaaaa!
Noe: *unintelligible screech of excitement*
Lastly, I´ve gotten to know the staff around here pretty well too and we´ve begun to understand one another´s humor.
Tio Pedro: (Rather casually) Bella did you clean this window?
Me: Don't raise your voice at me!
Tio Adrian: Stop yelling at the poor girl.
I´ll definitely miss them too.
I spent the weekend with the girls who were only slighlty less behaved..... teenagers.....
But we had some good times playing charades and scattegories.
All in all it was a good week.
B love,
Bella
Wazzup everybody! (Yes I really said that but it's too late to turn back now.)
Brace yourselves. More unfunny jokes are coming.
So as this week wraps up it's really starting to sink in that I'll be leaving these kids pretty soon. While I'm excited to get back to school and see everyone, I'm definitely gonna feel the void of not seeing the kids. These kids have brought so much happiness to me during my time here. It's truly inspiring considering that these kids have all experienced some kind of tragedy or abuse in their lives. That being said, this week I worked on a number of things, chief among them being writing updates to each kid's history. Having read through each case, I have a deeper understanding to everything that they have overcome and why they might act up sometimes. However, I've decided to highlight some of the funnier moments in the week.
As I mentioned in my last post, Chici left for the U.S this week, leaving Victor to fend for himself in the kitchen. As an act of kindness, the house father, Adrian, offered Victor some breakfast. Which went something like this...
Tio Adrian: Don Victor! I made some duck eggs, do you want some?
Don Victor: EW.
Which was immediately followed by uproarious laughter of all those present.
I´ve really been enjoying the kids this week and trying to take everything in. And these kids are hilarious. We´ve gotten into the habit of telling jokes and funny stories during cleaning time to make things more fun. The little ones say the funniest things without even realizing it. For example...
Noe: Tia Bella do you know the Dora the explorer theme song?
Me: Dora dora dora exploradoraaaaa!
Noe: *unintelligible screech of excitement*
Lastly, I´ve gotten to know the staff around here pretty well too and we´ve begun to understand one another´s humor.
Tio Pedro: (Rather casually) Bella did you clean this window?
Me: Don't raise your voice at me!
Tio Adrian: Stop yelling at the poor girl.
I´ll definitely miss them too.
I spent the weekend with the girls who were only slighlty less behaved..... teenagers.....
But we had some good times playing charades and scattegories.
All in all it was a good week.
B love,
Bella
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Week 6: IC & Microbio
Subsequently to recovering from my jet lag (mostly), I returned to IRMC to, primarily, jump back into my infectious control work. The auxiliary (where regular tasks are sourced) was, and continues to be, extremely "slow" as the off-season continues. Also, the cancer patient navigator held two meetings while I was out of town. So, I only helped in the auxiliary here and there and with the patient navigator for a few hours this week.
Nevertheless, I have been getting more involved with the infectious control project and was also eager for some more career insight. I spent the majority of the first day collecting and compiling data for IC. However, the second day, one of the IC staff members told me that I had permission to visit the microbiology lab! I spent the day almost entirely in the lab where I observed, discussed, and assisted with analyzing patients' lab samples. It was fascinating!
I was very excited to be familiar with many of their tools from my experience in labs at Stetson. The “media,” which I call “petri dishes” in labs at Stetson, are isolated growing surfaces for the samples. The gelatinous growing base contains 5% sheep’s blood because it’s characteristics enable an easier growing environment. Human blood has characteristics, such as more antibodies, that change organisms’ growth, making observation and identification more difficult. There are sheep that are raised for the sole purpose of extracting their blood for these “media" dishes. It is interesting to me, but maybe not to all. Anyhow, I learned details like this throughout the entire day from shadowing a woman who had worked as a microbiologist at IRMC for 35 years! She had even performed phlebotomies on sheep before her lab career. All in all, it was an exciting day for me as I experienced a working lab environment. Many labs are different, of course, depending on what is being observed or researched. Yet, in considering research as a career, it was great to spend time in a real lab environment for a day.
I was very excited to be familiar with many of their tools from my experience in labs at Stetson. The “media,” which I call “petri dishes” in labs at Stetson, are isolated growing surfaces for the samples. The gelatinous growing base contains 5% sheep’s blood because it’s characteristics enable an easier growing environment. Human blood has characteristics, such as more antibodies, that change organisms’ growth, making observation and identification more difficult. There are sheep that are raised for the sole purpose of extracting their blood for these “media" dishes. It is interesting to me, but maybe not to all. Anyhow, I learned details like this throughout the entire day from shadowing a woman who had worked as a microbiologist at IRMC for 35 years! She had even performed phlebotomies on sheep before her lab career. All in all, it was an exciting day for me as I experienced a working lab environment. Many labs are different, of course, depending on what is being observed or researched. Yet, in considering research as a career, it was great to spend time in a real lab environment for a day.
The rest of the week consisted of more IC data collection, making posters reminding faculty to use proper precautionary and sanitation practices, and spending time with the IC staff. I met some new staff members during this time and offered my help with anything they may need. Ideally, within my last week at IRMC, I will have some more exciting opportunities as I help serve the hospital. For one, I will be helping the cancer patient navigator with more cancer patient meetings and I expect to see a large jump in the hand hygiene compliance based on the behaviors I have seen this week. And a doctor this past week invited me to come watch surgeries any time, so I will definitely be taking advantage of that!
Until then… B-love!
P.S. Here's a picture of me collecting data.
P.S. Here's a picture of me collecting data.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Rehoboth Children's Home
Week 4
Hey all:
This week I mostly helped with the girls. The house mother had time off so I stayed at the girls' house to take care of them and make sure they were doing their homework and chores. This time was a bit different than last time because I've gotten to know the girls better and we feel more comfortable around each other. When the girls finished their work, we were able to have some free time and ended up having a disney movie marathon :) .
This week I also spent some time creating a video for Chici to use when she visits the U.S next week. The video has pictures of every kid as well as their age. Chici will be meeting with current sponsors & donors as well as raising funds for the home.
On a more somber note, there is another children's home in Parramos that is specifically for kids with special needs. On Sunday one of their little ones passed away because her lungs filled up with water :'( The directors and kids at Rehoboth were very sad and we shared a moment of silence for the little girl.
Hey all:This week I mostly helped with the girls. The house mother had time off so I stayed at the girls' house to take care of them and make sure they were doing their homework and chores. This time was a bit different than last time because I've gotten to know the girls better and we feel more comfortable around each other. When the girls finished their work, we were able to have some free time and ended up having a disney movie marathon :) .
This week I also spent some time creating a video for Chici to use when she visits the U.S next week. The video has pictures of every kid as well as their age. Chici will be meeting with current sponsors & donors as well as raising funds for the home.
On a more somber note, there is another children's home in Parramos that is specifically for kids with special needs. On Sunday one of their little ones passed away because her lungs filled up with water :'( The directors and kids at Rehoboth were very sad and we shared a moment of silence for the little girl.
Rehoboth Children's Home
Week 5
This week was much of the same... my morning office work was mostly working on a video Victor wants me to make that will explain the history of the directors and how the home was founded. They already have an existing video, which Victor wants me to adapt so that it is up-to-date with how things are run at the home currently. I've been working all week on getting footage and have already started editing. When the kids get home things liven up and the afternoon is spent keeping the kids on schedule.
This week I had an additional task of cleaning and organizing some of the back rooms in the home. This turned out to be a wonderful thing because I discovered some guitars in one of the storage rooms and was able to borrow one for the rest of my time here :::::)
As my time here is coming to an end I am already starting to miss the kids and wish that I could continue to be a part of their lives. As a result, I've been considering sponsoring one of them and have gotten my roommates on board so that we could split the cost and it would be much more manageable. However, choosing who to sponsor hasn't been an easy task because I know & love them all. Nevertheless, these kids have become a part of who I am and I really want to be able to give something back so I guess I'll have to decide eventually xD. But I have narrowed it down to three so far.....
Later goonies.
Bella
 |
| Walter |
This week I had an additional task of cleaning and organizing some of the back rooms in the home. This turned out to be a wonderful thing because I discovered some guitars in one of the storage rooms and was able to borrow one for the rest of my time here :::::)
 |
| Antoni |
 |
| Luis |
Later goonies.
Bella
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 4
Hey y'all!
This week was obviously a short one (go fourth!) so this post will be a little shorter than my next one. We tried to make this week as smooth as possible because we had the dreaded beach field trip on Tuesday with the other three Flagler Schools camp.
The kids and their counselors from 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8 are all fine people, but it's really difficult all being in the same place at once. I made the mistake of having my kids bring their backpacks along with us, which upset my site-managers and coworkers a little. The way I saw it, if we were making them bring towels, lunch boxes and sunscreen along with us, at least give them something to bring it in rather than trusting them to keep it in their hands on the bus and then once we arrived. I prefer to give my orange group their Big Kid challenges at camp where there's less detrimental consequences than permanently left-behind belongings. We went to the beach first, and after assembling a huge canopy tent (like a pro!) we went in the water for about 30 minutes. It was really rough that day, and although I helped them all up and sent concern for their safety, I couldn't help but giggle a little when the big waves would roll through and they'd all go down like little bowling pins. None of them were hurt or had trouble swimming though, and without fail they all came running back to the deepest possible section after tumbling. We make a box out of our bodies with the fourth wall being the shore, and only went in as far as my thigh-level (which is obviously not very deep at all). After pulling them all back out we headed up on the beach for some sand play and then walked about a quarter mile up the sidewalk back to a small, air-conditioned community center for lunch and hotdogs, and then a nice afternoon on the playground and in this gorgeous field. The breezes felt so nice and it really was a much better day than we're used to for beach day.
The rest of the week had no real major events, aside from a case with a little girl from another group who continues to swear one of my boys put his hand down her bikini bottoms at Daytona Lagoon. While he has admitted to it and has since been punished, her mother barrages us every morning with claims that her daughter is practically being raped at summer camp, many of the allegations we have proof never occurred. Now instead of having our afternoon movie in our own room safely within the interior of the school, we now have it on the bright, hard stage floor in the cafeteria. This little girl is also made practically miserable each day of camp because her mother insists she play with any boys and as a result must be kept next to a counselor at all times. We're struggling as a camp to decide how to help her have the best summer possible, but right now she has put us in a difficult position by lying to our faces and then running and telling her mother different stories. I'm learning quickly and in a much more serious context than ever before that parents WILL go to any lengths to protect their child, even if the results they wish are irrational and practically impossible at the expense of their child's happiness. I'll add more as it develops.
To end on a happy note, our kids created really beautiful firework paintings Thursday evening out of pipe cleaners, so I thought I'd share one here:
Happy 4th~!
This week was obviously a short one (go fourth!) so this post will be a little shorter than my next one. We tried to make this week as smooth as possible because we had the dreaded beach field trip on Tuesday with the other three Flagler Schools camp.
The kids and their counselors from 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8 are all fine people, but it's really difficult all being in the same place at once. I made the mistake of having my kids bring their backpacks along with us, which upset my site-managers and coworkers a little. The way I saw it, if we were making them bring towels, lunch boxes and sunscreen along with us, at least give them something to bring it in rather than trusting them to keep it in their hands on the bus and then once we arrived. I prefer to give my orange group their Big Kid challenges at camp where there's less detrimental consequences than permanently left-behind belongings. We went to the beach first, and after assembling a huge canopy tent (like a pro!) we went in the water for about 30 minutes. It was really rough that day, and although I helped them all up and sent concern for their safety, I couldn't help but giggle a little when the big waves would roll through and they'd all go down like little bowling pins. None of them were hurt or had trouble swimming though, and without fail they all came running back to the deepest possible section after tumbling. We make a box out of our bodies with the fourth wall being the shore, and only went in as far as my thigh-level (which is obviously not very deep at all). After pulling them all back out we headed up on the beach for some sand play and then walked about a quarter mile up the sidewalk back to a small, air-conditioned community center for lunch and hotdogs, and then a nice afternoon on the playground and in this gorgeous field. The breezes felt so nice and it really was a much better day than we're used to for beach day.
The rest of the week had no real major events, aside from a case with a little girl from another group who continues to swear one of my boys put his hand down her bikini bottoms at Daytona Lagoon. While he has admitted to it and has since been punished, her mother barrages us every morning with claims that her daughter is practically being raped at summer camp, many of the allegations we have proof never occurred. Now instead of having our afternoon movie in our own room safely within the interior of the school, we now have it on the bright, hard stage floor in the cafeteria. This little girl is also made practically miserable each day of camp because her mother insists she play with any boys and as a result must be kept next to a counselor at all times. We're struggling as a camp to decide how to help her have the best summer possible, but right now she has put us in a difficult position by lying to our faces and then running and telling her mother different stories. I'm learning quickly and in a much more serious context than ever before that parents WILL go to any lengths to protect their child, even if the results they wish are irrational and practically impossible at the expense of their child's happiness. I'll add more as it develops.
To end on a happy note, our kids created really beautiful firework paintings Thursday evening out of pipe cleaners, so I thought I'd share one here:
Happy 4th~!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Honor Baslim - Week 4
Hola amigos!
Well this last week I got to work with a kid from a local Boy Scout troop - he's working to get his Eagle Scout membership or whatever it's called so he chose our program to do a project for. He approached the director of our program with the purpose of building something for us so he will be building a shade structure next to our arena for parents to sit under when it's hot out. It was cool to meet someone so young (ok he was like 15ish) that has such a passion for his organization - it reminded me of some of our Bonners.
Lessons this week were good - though we were down a staff member so we all had to pick up the slack. One of our horses Mark is like 35 years old - which is like 90-something in human years, and
he has spent his entire life as a lesson horse. Teaching children of varying age, skill, abilities forever - and he loves it and the kids. It's funny cause he's not really mean per say but he's definitely grumpy - he just wants to be left alone as much as possible, unless of course if it's time to teach. In his lessons Mark perks right up and gets right to work; though he isn't anymore Mark used to do horse shows almost always placing. The point in me writing about Mark is to make a point - I know some people involved with Bonner have not always seen the benefits to volunteering in animal related organizations, but it's not as simple as that. Yes there are times with these types of organizations that we are doing "non beneficial" work unrelated to people, but we do that work for the animals so that then they can preform some sort of task. We clean the horse stalls so that the horses can have a nice habitat when they're not working. We groom the horses to get them ready for their lesson. Then we get to work with the horse to help someone, but we couldn't have gotten to helping this person without helping this animal. It's important to always try and see the bigger picture in most things in life, don't get bogged down in the details - but don't forget them either.
Well, that was a bit of a tangent - but still relative!
Will write again soon, B<3
Well this last week I got to work with a kid from a local Boy Scout troop - he's working to get his Eagle Scout membership or whatever it's called so he chose our program to do a project for. He approached the director of our program with the purpose of building something for us so he will be building a shade structure next to our arena for parents to sit under when it's hot out. It was cool to meet someone so young (ok he was like 15ish) that has such a passion for his organization - it reminded me of some of our Bonners.
Lessons this week were good - though we were down a staff member so we all had to pick up the slack. One of our horses Mark is like 35 years old - which is like 90-something in human years, and
 |
| Mark |
Well, that was a bit of a tangent - but still relative!
Will write again soon, B<3
Monday, July 7, 2014
Honor Baslim - Week 3
Hello friends!
Sorry I'm late with these last few posts - things have been going well at the center.
I've been working in more and more lessons lately, I had a wonderful experience with this little girl Samantha (name changed) who has both physical and mental disabilities but the best attitude I've seen in a long time. She's been coming to the center for therapeutic riding since she was 5 (she's 11 now) and although it takes a lot out of her to expend the energy to hold not only herself up, but also to hold her reins and also to communicate with her instructor she still does it all with the biggest smile.
We've had some issues with a couple of our horses this last week unfortunately - Mikey who is already oddly spooked (he's never been abused or anything like that, just quirky) is having some issues with the ramp which has to be used for all horse mountings, so that will need to be fixed.
We're also in the process of adding a new horse - Poné to the program. There's a 90 day vetting process where he goes through trainings and eventually he's assessed on his compatibility with the program and therapeutic riding and a decision is made. Unfortunately Poné was abused before and he has some issues with meeting new people. He's getting a lot better though - he's no longer afraid of the ramp, has no issues with any of the toys the instructors use in lessons, is ok being tacked up. We're still working on his introductions to strangers (he is most comfortable with myself and the full time staff at the center) and with side walkers - he's really good at reading body language so when there's 4 or 5 different people around him he tries to read everyone's body language and obviously can't and then gets pretty agitated.
That's all for now! Will write again soon!
Sorry I'm late with these last few posts - things have been going well at the center.
I've been working in more and more lessons lately, I had a wonderful experience with this little girl Samantha (name changed) who has both physical and mental disabilities but the best attitude I've seen in a long time. She's been coming to the center for therapeutic riding since she was 5 (she's 11 now) and although it takes a lot out of her to expend the energy to hold not only herself up, but also to hold her reins and also to communicate with her instructor she still does it all with the biggest smile.
 |
| Mikey |
We're also in the process of adding a new horse - Poné to the program. There's a 90 day vetting process where he goes through trainings and eventually he's assessed on his compatibility with the program and therapeutic riding and a decision is made. Unfortunately Poné was abused before and he has some issues with meeting new people. He's getting a lot better though - he's no longer afraid of the ramp, has no issues with any of the toys the instructors use in lessons, is ok being tacked up. We're still working on his introductions to strangers (he is most comfortable with myself and the full time staff at the center) and with side walkers - he's really good at reading body language so when there's 4 or 5 different people around him he tries to read everyone's body language and obviously can't and then gets pretty agitated.
That's all for now! Will write again soon!
Week 5: To The Future!
This was a shorter week than normally for me, but that's because of the trip I'm taking the following week (right now, actually, by the time I'm posting this). Nevertheless, it was another very involved few days at IRMC. I worked predominantly with the patient navigator of the cancer department one day compiling the past year's data. This was a big help to her, as her arm is still in the process of healing from the break.
The second day, I was the "minion" of the IC (Infectious Control) department. I'm having more and more fun doing work with the IC team as the summer goes on. I'm still collecting loads of data, and the hand hygiene practices were going up steadily. Yet, this week they seemed to drop despite the multiple re-education sessions that IC has been holding for the nurses and other faculty. These re-education sessions are mandatory and are done with small groups of employees. Some of the staff sincerely believe in and practice proper hand hygiene, yet those few are not enough to stop the spread of harmful germs and, worse, illnesses. It's a work in progress. I'll be sorting the data when I get back from my trip and will update you on our progress. We now have extra "eyes" observing and collecting data, so we are hoping for the data be more representative of the multiple shifts of employees.
Just a little something extra about why my week was shorter than usual: I served a half day at IRMC one day because I had a lunch meeting with a woman who has held many positions in the medical field. She was a ARNP (nurse practitioner), midwife at IRMC, OB/GYN, now works in cosmetic surgery, recently took a year-long course on integrative health at Duke, and still wants to move into a different career based more on the principles of functional medicine. This was a rare and highly valuable opportunity for me to speak with someone who has such vast experience in the medical field and has many of the same values as myself. What's more is that she has generously offered me her continued assistance and to be a guest speaker at Stetson's Annual Spring Health Fair. There is much to be done on my part now with researching and planning both events at Stetson for my community organizer position and for my continuing education and career!
Talk to you all in 2 weeks! B-love & support :)
The second day, I was the "minion" of the IC (Infectious Control) department. I'm having more and more fun doing work with the IC team as the summer goes on. I'm still collecting loads of data, and the hand hygiene practices were going up steadily. Yet, this week they seemed to drop despite the multiple re-education sessions that IC has been holding for the nurses and other faculty. These re-education sessions are mandatory and are done with small groups of employees. Some of the staff sincerely believe in and practice proper hand hygiene, yet those few are not enough to stop the spread of harmful germs and, worse, illnesses. It's a work in progress. I'll be sorting the data when I get back from my trip and will update you on our progress. We now have extra "eyes" observing and collecting data, so we are hoping for the data be more representative of the multiple shifts of employees.
Just a little something extra about why my week was shorter than usual: I served a half day at IRMC one day because I had a lunch meeting with a woman who has held many positions in the medical field. She was a ARNP (nurse practitioner), midwife at IRMC, OB/GYN, now works in cosmetic surgery, recently took a year-long course on integrative health at Duke, and still wants to move into a different career based more on the principles of functional medicine. This was a rare and highly valuable opportunity for me to speak with someone who has such vast experience in the medical field and has many of the same values as myself. What's more is that she has generously offered me her continued assistance and to be a guest speaker at Stetson's Annual Spring Health Fair. There is much to be done on my part now with researching and planning both events at Stetson for my community organizer position and for my continuing education and career!
Talk to you all in 2 weeks! B-love & support :)
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Rehoboth Children's Home
Week 3
The work schedule at Rehoboth works so that you are working about 15 days and then have 3 days off. This week I had some time off which I spent with my family in the capital. Most of my volunteer hours this week came from working on the website (taking advantage of faster internet connection in the city). I've made a lot of progress with the site layout so far. For this site I chose to use Wordpress in the hopes that it would be easier for the Rehoboth staff to use than the one they previously made (which I made in high school). They are used to keeping the world updated on happenings at the home through their blogspot blog. While there's nothing wrong with this, I think if they were to utilize the website more it would appear more professional and "legit" to potential sponsors and donors that read about the home.
As for my time off, I was able to see a lot more of Guatemala and gain some insight as to what daily life here is like. Here are some of the things I've noticed: First off, Guatemala is a beautiful country. The only way I can describe it is like going to a day spa for your eyes....which sounds incredibly dumb. But really. Volcanoes. Volcanoes everywhere. It's a drastic change from the flatness that is Florida. Second, the roads are insanity. I've yet to see a traffic light and I've been here for a month :O There are pretty much no traffic laws of enforcement and yet Guatemala has a lower rate of deaths by road traffic accidents than the U.S. However by selecting violence as a cause of death Guatemala is ranked #1. Which leads me to my next point.....Guatemala is also pretty unsafe in some places (lololol). During my time here one thing I can truthfully say I have not enjoyed is how careful I have to be with how I dress, who I'm with, etc. The men here don't respect women and don't bother to hide it. During my first week here I actually witnessed the police chase down two stolen trucks and chase the drivers down the street into the restaurant where we were eating. And they had their guns pulled. But this is normal for Guatemala.
Last week we took the kids out for a hike in the area surrounding the home and we visited a woman who was making a tapestry for the house father. They were some of the happiest people I have ever met...and also some of the poorest. I very sneakily took some photos:
While I stayed with my family I had a different experience. My aunt is a very hard working educated business woman and has become quite successful. Below are some photos of her house, also taken very sneakily:
The disparity of the living conditions in Guatemala are extremely evident, and the distribution of income is also highly inconsistent. The richest 20% of Guatemalans account for more than 51% of the country's overall consumption. More than half of the population lives below the national poverty line and nearly one half of Guatemalan children under 5 are chronically malnourished (source).
One last observation I've made that I'd like to share is that Guatemalan people are very hardworking. The indigenous people slave away making beautiful intricate tapestries that they sell for about 80-250 Quetzales (about 10-30 USD) with simpler patterns going for even less. What Guatemala lacks in the way of systems (roads, store inventories, etc.) it makes up for in customer service. Guatemalans are helpful, intelligent, and kind-hearted. Though Guatemala is very different from the States, I've definitely fallen in love with it, and will be very sad when I leave next month.
As for my time off, I was able to see a lot more of Guatemala and gain some insight as to what daily life here is like. Here are some of the things I've noticed: First off, Guatemala is a beautiful country. The only way I can describe it is like going to a day spa for your eyes....which sounds incredibly dumb. But really. Volcanoes. Volcanoes everywhere. It's a drastic change from the flatness that is Florida. Second, the roads are insanity. I've yet to see a traffic light and I've been here for a month :O There are pretty much no traffic laws of enforcement and yet Guatemala has a lower rate of deaths by road traffic accidents than the U.S. However by selecting violence as a cause of death Guatemala is ranked #1. Which leads me to my next point.....Guatemala is also pretty unsafe in some places (lololol). During my time here one thing I can truthfully say I have not enjoyed is how careful I have to be with how I dress, who I'm with, etc. The men here don't respect women and don't bother to hide it. During my first week here I actually witnessed the police chase down two stolen trucks and chase the drivers down the street into the restaurant where we were eating. And they had their guns pulled. But this is normal for Guatemala.
Last week we took the kids out for a hike in the area surrounding the home and we visited a woman who was making a tapestry for the house father. They were some of the happiest people I have ever met...and also some of the poorest. I very sneakily took some photos:
While I stayed with my family I had a different experience. My aunt is a very hard working educated business woman and has become quite successful. Below are some photos of her house, also taken very sneakily:
The disparity of the living conditions in Guatemala are extremely evident, and the distribution of income is also highly inconsistent. The richest 20% of Guatemalans account for more than 51% of the country's overall consumption. More than half of the population lives below the national poverty line and nearly one half of Guatemalan children under 5 are chronically malnourished (source).
One last observation I've made that I'd like to share is that Guatemalan people are very hardworking. The indigenous people slave away making beautiful intricate tapestries that they sell for about 80-250 Quetzales (about 10-30 USD) with simpler patterns going for even less. What Guatemala lacks in the way of systems (roads, store inventories, etc.) it makes up for in customer service. Guatemalans are helpful, intelligent, and kind-hearted. Though Guatemala is very different from the States, I've definitely fallen in love with it, and will be very sad when I leave next month.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Week 4: Cancer Patients
Little did I know at the beginning of this week that I would get to work with individual cancer patient cases alongside IRMC’s cancer department! Of course, this re-sparked my desire to do cancer research (I’ve been keeping an open mind to several different medical career routes). Incidentally, I had been thinking of cancer etiologies and experiments the night before. So perhaps this will be a large part of my route to a career of helping others with prevention and healing from cancers, in addition to other diseases. I would like to start this research soon by combining it with my forthcoming senior research.
I landed this task, unfortunately, because the “patient navigator” staff person of the cancer center had recently broken her arm and needed help preparing packets and paperwork for her upcoming meetings. The patient navigator determines which of the hospital's patients who receive tests and surgeries have cancer. That is impressive in itself. She then contacts them, collects all of their data (lab work, CT/X-ray images, statuses of surgeries, etc.) and creates packets to be referred to during the meetings that take place twice a month. These meetings are based on the type of cancers being discussed. For example, the meeting I attended this week was for lung cancer patients and the meeting two weeks from now is for breast cancer patients. Lung and breast cancer are the most common forms that IRMC sees. The patient navigator also helps to set up genetic counseling sessions that take place over video conferences with a doctor at Duke University.
The first day of working with the patient navigator, we completed the lung cancer patients’ packets. The next morning at 7 a.m., I took notes of what the doctors discussed during the meeting. There were 4 patients being discussed, each case headed by a doctor who has primary ruling for the patients’ future treatment. It was incredible how quickly the doctors discussed the details of the cancer, including whether there were actually malignant masses or if the masses were only benign. This was done while each patient’s CT/X-ray images were displayed on the projector. The doctors discussed further testing methods per the official NCCN treatment guidelines that are based on the stages of cancer and many other details. This, I realized, was a vital component to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. For instance, performing a needle biopsy on a patient who was in stage 1 of lung cancer could risk spreading the cancer cells, worsening the patient’s condition. Rather, they could perform other imaging tests to determine more about the cancer.
The next day, I worked in the auxiliary office with the rest of the volunteers as usual and collected a great amount of data for the infectious control project. The hand hygiene practices have increased by 5.5% (progress!). By the time I finished that, the patient navigator called for my assistance with some data compiling. Working with this data also brought me to a scary realization. I didn't anticipate that many of the patients that are seen at IRMC are cancer patients. However, in totaling the data for the month of June, there were approximately 170 new cancer patients., and I was told that this was a smaller group than those of previous, busier (in-season) months. One patient was only 23 years old and had been fighting leukemia since age 17. I had seen the data in epidemiology class that cancer is now in the top three causes of deaths in the U.S., but seeing the names, ages, and diagnoses on paper makes it very real.
This being on a serious note, I am very thankful for the experiences I had this week working with the cancer department. I see a huge need for research to determine etiologies and truly effective prevention and treatment. Speaking with the patient navigator throughout the week on a professional and personal basis and discussing our agreeing hypotheses on the causes of cancers, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to help perform this research and implement prevention/treatment programs vastly into our world. At this point, I'm very anxious to begin this work and make an impact. That said, to any of you or those you know who are interested in my progress in this cancer investigation or have further suggestions, don't hesitate to contact me! I am always eager to learn more and teach more.
Good health & B-love to all!
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 3!
Hello hello!
This week I kicked off Monday with the addition of the Orange group; we now have five groups of kids and one floater, Cassie, whom I mentioned in my first blog. I feel like we are now all properly positioned and that we're working in full-capacity. The first two weeks we kind of jumped around and a few people were sent home due to low numbers and camp, and this week that didn't have to happen. It feels much more organized than before, and so I am happy.
My group is mainly comprised of the (for lack of a better term) "problem" kids from each group. These aren't bad kids, but simply kids who have issues with listening and following directions and don't play well with the kids in their group. I was genuinely surprised by a few of them, who in their groups were absolute terrors and were constantly trouble but when put in this new environment were not just well-behaved, but kids I now enjoy having around. One in particular used to fight and then whine like a baby when he was disciplined, but once in the new group he became a leader, showing the other kids how to play with toys and reminding others of the rules. Unfortunately, one of my kids was removed from camp Monday afternoon. He was not necessarily a problem kid, but one that was obviously not ready for camp. You could tell he was an only child and was absolutely babied at home, so anything you asked him to do he blatantly defied you. I think being in school for a year will do him some good and hopefully next summer we'll see him again.
This week was kind of rough. In some respects it was much better, but if we're judging based on our kids' behaviors it started well and went downhill. Things were fine until Wednesday, which is when we went to Daytona Lagoon for field trip. One of our new counselors, Justyn, apparently has known nothing of the trip schedule since camp has begun and thus knew nothing of us going on Daytona Lagoon. He didn't wear trunks to camp, but rather long pants and was sent home. So right off the bat we were below capacity. The kids were great on the bus and fairly behaved at the kids' zone. We faced an unexpected challenge from the lifeguards who decided for the first time EVER that our kids were not permitted to wear their camp shirts down the water slides. The kids had to remove their shirts and hold them tight down the slide, until they got off, at which point we had to flip them and help them put them back on. Not too difficult, but almost all of our kids went down each of the three slides probably at least twelve times each, so we were down there for a while. It was fun though, and after a bathroom break we headed home because the daily Florida thunderstorms had begun. As we headed back to wait for our bus driver, it began to downpour. So our poor kids had to walk a good five minutes in the rain to the bus before boarding, so we were all completely soaked and freezing for the ride home. At least it helped them fall right to sleep, though ;]
Thursday was truly a difficult day. One of our other counselors left for a week and a half for Greece but didn't remind our site manager, and another counselor didn't come in until eleven. That left four counselors for five groups, each of which were pretty large at about fifteen or sixteen kids a piece. I took both groups, and the combination of the two left me at thirty kids to myself, which normally is not so hard but they just played off of each other and went absolutely crazy. On the playground, a child was stung by a wasp, but he was a trooper. We were also told that day that we couldn't take our kids to the movie room (our last rotation of the day) until five o'clock, which is two more rotations than we usually have. Our kids were exhausted by then and were really irritated to move around that much, but I tried to keep them relaxed by reading stories and visiting our computer room so they could still have fun.
Friday came around and we finally got in the pool! After a two week hiatus I can say with certainty there was no better feeling in the world than soaking in the cool water in ninety degree heat. We had to rush to lunch shortly after returning, so some of the kids had to change their clothes after eating, but it all went pretty smoothly. We visited the computer room again after lunch, but this time instead of just playing on PBSkids.org, I taught them how to login, choose Safari and type in PBSkids all for themselves. Although they were totally bored and frustrated while it was happening, afterwards in the movie room I heard several of them bragging to other kids that they knew how to use the computer now. Next week's lesson: shutting them down! I love tiny victories like this, because when they get back to school in August it'll be one less skill they have to learn in a short amount of time.
So that was my week! Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! B<3!
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 2!
Happy weekend everyone!
This week at summer camp was a blast. I was able to solely lead a few different groups this week as we had counselors out sick. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the different groups and am noticing specific sort of personalities in each group. For instance, the kids in the Blue group are very curious and quiet, whereas the Purple group kids are very active and love high-intensity play. It has really been a test of my skills to be able to relate to each group of kids and keep them engaged according to their interests.
This week our field trip was at camp, and it was a visiting animal show called the Tree of Life; the kids absolutely LOVED it. They showed us a tortoise, tarantula, a hen, a small gecko, a ferret, a ball python, and an Australian hedgehog. We shared the space with the 4-5 camp, and I was actually surprised that I had to ask those older kids to be quiet more often than our kindergarteners! All in all, though, everyone learned a lot about different types of animals and our kids were thrilled that they could touch most of the animals.
Before the show, we had some extra time while the instructors set up, so I led all of K-1 in a rendition of Jay's "Rare Bog, Rattlin' Bog" song and dance and they went NUTS. Two weeks later we still hear that song being sung in the rooms every now and again. I even was requested to repeat the whole song on Friday before our movie. I was really embarrassed at first but knew it would be a nice activity to keep our kids up and moving and entertained while we waited. The version I found online went from the hole in the bog to the tree's branches and limbs all the way down to a rash on a tick, haha! It was really successful and it made me really happy to be able to give that small nod back to Jay.
On Friday our pool time was cancelled due to a lack of communication between the pool managers and our supervisor, but we still made the most out of a great day. Our kids continued their prince/princess theme for the week by making paper crowns in art and magic wands out of pretzels and frosting. Not the healthiest, but they sure had fun! I also found out on Friday that I will be getting my own group come Monday morning due to an overflow of kids, so look forward to hearing about that!
Bonner Love, and comment below if you remember any camp songs or games that you loved as a kid; I'd love to share them with my kids and carry on camp traditions!
This week at summer camp was a blast. I was able to solely lead a few different groups this week as we had counselors out sick. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the different groups and am noticing specific sort of personalities in each group. For instance, the kids in the Blue group are very curious and quiet, whereas the Purple group kids are very active and love high-intensity play. It has really been a test of my skills to be able to relate to each group of kids and keep them engaged according to their interests.
This week our field trip was at camp, and it was a visiting animal show called the Tree of Life; the kids absolutely LOVED it. They showed us a tortoise, tarantula, a hen, a small gecko, a ferret, a ball python, and an Australian hedgehog. We shared the space with the 4-5 camp, and I was actually surprised that I had to ask those older kids to be quiet more often than our kindergarteners! All in all, though, everyone learned a lot about different types of animals and our kids were thrilled that they could touch most of the animals.
Before the show, we had some extra time while the instructors set up, so I led all of K-1 in a rendition of Jay's "Rare Bog, Rattlin' Bog" song and dance and they went NUTS. Two weeks later we still hear that song being sung in the rooms every now and again. I even was requested to repeat the whole song on Friday before our movie. I was really embarrassed at first but knew it would be a nice activity to keep our kids up and moving and entertained while we waited. The version I found online went from the hole in the bog to the tree's branches and limbs all the way down to a rash on a tick, haha! It was really successful and it made me really happy to be able to give that small nod back to Jay.
On Friday our pool time was cancelled due to a lack of communication between the pool managers and our supervisor, but we still made the most out of a great day. Our kids continued their prince/princess theme for the week by making paper crowns in art and magic wands out of pretzels and frosting. Not the healthiest, but they sure had fun! I also found out on Friday that I will be getting my own group come Monday morning due to an overflow of kids, so look forward to hearing about that!
Bonner Love, and comment below if you remember any camp songs or games that you loved as a kid; I'd love to share them with my kids and carry on camp traditions!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Rehboth Children's Home
Week 2
Hey gang!
In my second week at Rehoboth I was able to get to know the kids a lot better. They call me "Aunt Bella" and are a joy to be with (nearly) 100% of the time. Perhaps the biggest development this week was that I also served as a temporary house mom while Merida went home for a couple days. This left me in charge of Maria and Fernanda for the weekend. I was responsible for getting them to do their chores, clean their closets, take care of their pets, prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner....etc, etc, etc.......all in a timely fashion and while sticking to a strict schedule. Needless to say it was a busy couple of days but I was able to fit in some fun activities like making bracelets, watching movies, etc.
Below is a little video I put together so you guys could see some of the kids I've been working with:
These kids all have inspired me through their strength and positive attitudes despite coming from shady family backgrounds and bad home situations. Last time I visited during high school, Antoni had just arrived at rehoboth and his story in
particular stuck with me. Antoni and his sister had been locked away in a room for their whole lives (for Toni this was 7 years and for his sister it was 12). Their parents left them
alone all day each day for all those years, isolated from people, with no one
to look after them, care for them, or feed them.
These kids had never learned to speak. Doctors and specialists told the directors of the orphanage that it was too late; that these kids would never ever be able to talk. But the directors of the orphanage where the brother was sent; armed with an unwavering determination and unselfish love, achieved what they called a “miracle” after a few months; although not perfectly, Antoni could speak. Coming back this time I was amazed at the progress that Antoni has made, he speaks perfectly and is energetic and makes jokes and has the most contagious laugh. He is the polar opposite of the boy I met all those years ago who kept to himself. The work being done at Rehoboth changes these kids' lives, and I feel honored to play even a small role in it.
Until later,
Bella
Hey gang!
In my second week at Rehoboth I was able to get to know the kids a lot better. They call me "Aunt Bella" and are a joy to be with (nearly) 100% of the time. Perhaps the biggest development this week was that I also served as a temporary house mom while Merida went home for a couple days. This left me in charge of Maria and Fernanda for the weekend. I was responsible for getting them to do their chores, clean their closets, take care of their pets, prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner....etc, etc, etc.......all in a timely fashion and while sticking to a strict schedule. Needless to say it was a busy couple of days but I was able to fit in some fun activities like making bracelets, watching movies, etc.
Below is a little video I put together so you guys could see some of the kids I've been working with:
These kids had never learned to speak. Doctors and specialists told the directors of the orphanage that it was too late; that these kids would never ever be able to talk. But the directors of the orphanage where the brother was sent; armed with an unwavering determination and unselfish love, achieved what they called a “miracle” after a few months; although not perfectly, Antoni could speak. Coming back this time I was amazed at the progress that Antoni has made, he speaks perfectly and is energetic and makes jokes and has the most contagious laugh. He is the polar opposite of the boy I met all those years ago who kept to himself. The work being done at Rehoboth changes these kids' lives, and I feel honored to play even a small role in it.
Until later,
Bella
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Week 3: Fish Philosophy & Relationships
In our Bonner Training and Enrichment meetings during the school years, we discuss the importance of perspective, relationships, and much more in efforts to inspire one another to improve and intensify the impact that we make on our communities. Recall the Rita Pierson TED Talk video (link at bottom as a refresher :) ) on the vitality of relationships in learning experiences and the ability to succeed. Many more of you will probably remember the meeting led by Jo when he introduced his “fish philosophy." He showed us a video interview of the men working at Pike Place fish market in Seattle. Their shift in attitude from being unhappy with their job of selling fish to their seemingly boundless joy and humor in serving people (flying) fish was an inspiration to many of us. Each day and each task should be approached with the highest optimism and effort. The results from doing so will surprise anyone. Interaction between people runs our planet and it is when those interactions are positive and productive that the results are more astounding and beautiful than imaginable.
So, I approach my service in this way and am able to do so by the contagious positivity of my fellow volunteers at IRMC. Each day, even each four hours (regular shifts at IRMC are four hours), I am serving alongside different people. The majority of the volunteers at IRMC are elderly, with several “TAVs,” or teenage volunteers, and even fewer college students in the mix, as well. I learn so much just being in their presence and speaking to them about their families, pasts, careers, current affairs, scientific breakthroughs, FIFA games, America's Got Talent episodes, and whatever else comes up! I share with them my plans for my future and what I’ve learned about current nutrition. We laugh, learn, and enjoy each other's company. Then the phone rings and we're off to discharge a patient or deliver a "super stat" specimen to the lab. That positivity transfers to our interactions with others and creates a welcoming, comforting environment for people who are disheartened about their own, or their loved one's, health.
Before last summer, I was not quite sure what serving at a hospital would be like, but it has been because of these relationships that I am able to flourish there and be a better help to others. I actually continue to realize how well relate with the elderly and will carry that on in my service work during the upcoming year. The volunteers and Maureen (the director of volunteer services), especially, have set example of how best to interact with patients, visitors, and staff. We face many different personalities and situations. In addition, each day, things at the hospital are changing. They’ve done a lot of restoration, have constructed additions, and have moved locations of departments within and even nearby the hospital within the past two years. It is still very much so in progress! But each day, we assist one another in adapting to changes. I do the same in helping to train any new volunteers that come to the hospital.
I’ve been trying to figure out how exactly to express the thrill I have in volunteering at Indian River Medical Center, so I have given you this reminder of the importance of positive relationships in hopes to spread my story of joy! And I’ve included a photo of me with just a few of the volunteers from this past week!
Lastly and on a side note, the data collection project for the Infectious Control Department that I perform with another college volunteer is going well. You know the science-minded: the more data the better! Eventually addressing this issue of below-satisfactory sanitary practices will make a large impact on improving the cross-contamination issue that is a problem in hospitals nationwide. As I mentioned previously, too many infections and illnesses, including MRSA, are transmitted in hospital settings. Being a "germophobe," and for good reason, I take this project seriously and am anxious to see some positive results by the end of the summer!
I hope you all are enjoying your service as much as I am!!! Best wishes and B-love.
Rita Pierson’s “Every Kid Needs A Champion” TED Talk:
http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion
Friday, June 20, 2014
Flagler Schools Summer Camp Week 1
Hi everyone! My SOS this year is heading back to my very first job I ever had, which is the same summer camp for kindergarten and first graders that I attended when I was younger. It's facilitated by the Flagler County Adult Education department (where the budget comes from) but is really overseen by our school board. Our kids pay to attend camp, but that covers field trips, home EC, art activities, pool trips every week, and to have counselors who have been checked out and can be held accountable. There are scholarships available, and free lunches provided. :)
Much to my slight embarrassment, I showed up to camp Monday morning in a bright red outfit; shirt, shoes, backpack, the whole shebang because I was told I'd be the leader of the red group. Due to a communication error, I didn't receive a group. Needless to say, my little counselor heart was broken. With a brand new site-leader, the two most experienced counselors, myself and another named Cassie, became "floaters." This is a reference to pool inflatables, not poo. The funny thing is, our first summer together, Cassie and I were also floaters, so it was quite humbling to have the most experience and be put, in some regards, at the bottom of the hierarchy.
However, and I believe Cassie will agree, we were seriously helpful to our two brand new counselors who received groups the first week. My partner, Justyn, has never worked with kids in his life. I see a lot of myself in him: I was sixteen and had no experience when I began, too. But I think I have him some great tools that first day, like helping to establish rules and order among his kids, and some great bonding activities. He had a great handle on his kids by Friday, and it made me really proud to see him step up and lead his kids instead of just being there.
Our first field trip this week was to a bowling alley in Ormond Beach, and I must say, our kids did excellently! For many of them, this was their first time at a bowling alley, their first time on a school bus and their first time leaving Palm Coast. I was very proud of how well they listened and behaved on the bus, considering the fact that due to dreaded budget cuts they were sitting three to a seat (all with seat belts, not to worry). We were supposed to visit this really gorgeous park in Ormond that is all done up like a castle (it was huge!) but because of conflicts with another visiting camp, we decided to return home. Everyone got an ice pop back at camp, so it all worked out just fine!
The kids as a whole this year are much more challenging in previous years; only a few of them are truly mean-spirited and don't know how to play with others, but the largest division would have to be what we playfully refer to as "space cadets." Usually kids who are babied at home and not taught structure and discipline, who come to camp and are so excited by it all that they're easily distracted and don't listen that well. I think most of our kids this year have never been to school before and thus need to have the rules reinforced more often, like being quiet in the hallways and how to sit properly at lunch. Just like we saw in Dr. Sapp's class, you can easily differentiate the kids who receive attention at home and those who don't. I try my hardest to be patient and overly attentive of the kids who don't, because I'm afraid of giving them another reason to want to misbehave or wanting to stay at home.
In conclusion, I think my challenges this year are twofold: it seems that in addition to training our kids, I am also somewhat tasked with training our new counselors. Obviously we will all develop different styles, but I hope that I can help Justyn and Tayla, our other newbie, to become confident in dealing with any group of kids they're placed with, especially kids with whom they're unfamiliar. It will be interesting to see how it goes. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer and I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Honor Baslim - Week 2
Hi friends,
So this may mean nothing to most people but I lunged my first horse EVER - which was a really freaking cool experience. Lunging is when you stand in the middle of a circle with a lunge line attached to the horses bridle (the leather straps on their head) and you use queue's - typically clucks, kisses, as well as words "trot", "whoa", "easy", etc. - to get the horse to do what you want - be it walk, trot, canter, stop, etc. So again, I stood in the middle of a circle with a thousand pound animal attached to a rope I was holding, running circles around me.
So this may mean nothing to most people but I lunged my first horse EVER - which was a really freaking cool experience. Lunging is when you stand in the middle of a circle with a lunge line attached to the horses bridle (the leather straps on their head) and you use queue's - typically clucks, kisses, as well as words "trot", "whoa", "easy", etc. - to get the horse to do what you want - be it walk, trot, canter, stop, etc. So again, I stood in the middle of a circle with a thousand pound animal attached to a rope I was holding, running circles around me.
IT. WAS. AWESOME.
Now on a more service oriented note - one of our clients, we'll call him Tom, came in in quite the mood...
 |
| Tom |
 |
| Spurs |
Like pretty much EXACTLY like Donald above. I would figure Tom is probably about 4 or 5 years old, and he probably has some issues (like we all do) his are just a little more...lets say, loud, than the rest of ours. So we get him on Spurs (the horse) and he immediately tries to throw all 40 pounds he's got on to the ground. Therefore Tom needs two Sidewalkers to keep him firmly planted on the horse. For the first ten minutes of the lesson Tom screamed, cried, and tried to remove his helmet. Then something cool happened - while he was laying back on Spurs I asked him to sit up, he promptly said no, so I asked him for a high-five but told him he had to sit up to give it to me. I was genuinely surprised when he looked at me, and sat up and slapped my hand with his own sticky snot covered one. The rest of the lesson had a few more hiccups but for the most part he was actually engaged and I helped to keep him that way. It twas cool.
Will write again soon.
Bonner Love,
Honor
Will write again soon.
Bonner Love,
Honor
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Rehoboth Children's Home
Week 1
With my first week at Rehoboth coming
to a close in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I figured I should probably
start writing down some of the things that have happened so far while they’re
still fresh in my mind.
lol I'm not funny.
First off, a little bit of background:
The Rehoboth Children’s home is one of three “branches” of an organization
founded by Victor and Chici Barbella. In addition to the home, the Barbellas
founded a Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Center for men and a Christian
Church. The Barbellas have known me since I was born and have remained good
family friends throughout the years. Because of this relationship, I was able
to visit Rehoboth during my Junior year in High School. This trip lasted only
10 days but the impact that the kids at the home made on me would ensure my
return.
Fast forward a couple years and I
found myself with the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the Barbellas and
the kids at the home: Bonner SoS! After contacting Chici, she confirmed that my
help was needed as a mentor in the girls’ home. Currently there are only two
girls at the home: Maria & Fernanda. They are both 14 and OBSESSED with
learning how to waltz (Quinceañera is
coming up).
Initially, I moved into the girls’ home and was sharing a room with
the house mom (who is awesome) but she pretty much had everything under control so on Wednesday I moved into the boys’ home.
This first week we have been figuring
out my schedule… I wake up @ 7 when the kids leave for school. After I shower,
make my bed and have breakfast, I start on some office work. This week we are
preparing for a group that is coming from FL (hollaaaa) to spend time with the
kids and take them shopping. I’ve also been working on a new website, translating
the kids’ letters to their sponsors, showing the staff how to use the Microsoft
Suite etc. Around noon I help prepare the dining hall for lunch. The kids come
back around 12:30 and the rest of the day is spent serving meals, helping with
clean up, doing homework, playing soccer, reading, playing games……..drinking
lots of coffee…….overseeing chores and bath time and just generally having a
blast with the little ones because they are sooooo cute.
My favorite activity so far is
homework time because I feel like I’ve been able to make some real progress
with some of the kids. It’s interesting to see the difference between the kids
in Guatemala and the kids at Chisholm because they are refreshingly eager to
learn. When I assign the kids multiplication or division practice they run off
to do it and come back for more… I know I for one was definitely not that eager
for homework as a kid….lololol but it’s something I definitely admire in them.
Anyway this is becoming perilously
long but it’s just so hard to condense an entire week into a tiny blog post so bear
with me :P
Until later Goonies,
Bella
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