Hello everyone,
This week we’ll be doing things a little differently with the update. Instead of David’s enlightening words, I, Catherine, Director, will be filling you all in. I’d like to write about something that we feel very strongly about: the importance of staying focused on our goals, both short and long term, and maximizing our time with the children. I believe it is this mindset that keeps our foundation successful and constantly improving.
Since getting back from our visit in the states for Christmas, we have had to undergo much more construction at the foundation. It turns out one of our main buildings was built quite poorly a few decades ago and was actually starting to crumble little by little. This being a huge safety risk, we decided to tear it down and build it up again. Now, without the use of our classrooms, regular classes can’t be given until after next week; this will make a total of nearly three weeks without classes.
Despite this rather large inconvenience, we are trying to make the best of our time. One of the most crucial things we can do as a foundation is keep our goals in close sight and have the kids’ best interests in mind on a daily basis. By thinking about the kids, we remind ourselves that every interaction affects them and every minute not spent with them during our designated hours is time and energy lost. We could have the kids eat lunch and send them home each day because we aren’t on our normal schedule, but we choose not to. We choose to take advantage of the extra time by organizing activities, playing games, and spending quality time. Our time with these kids is so precious, and it’s too easy to become frustrated and call it a day.
In reality, we would be taking steps back if we were to cancel foundation time. Less time at the foundation means more time in the street, fighting with other kids, being in unsafe places, and being influenced by peers, parents, family, and the community. The real culture we are working against here is the culture of poverty. In order to offer them an opportunity to get into a good high school, trade school, or college, we first have to instill confidence, work-ethic, responsibility, and respect- all qualities that are often missing in children living in abject poverty. Most of the kids don’t see these qualities in their own parents. They are qualities that we, as Americans, often times take for granted, but if not for the help of at least one person close to us, would probably not possess. We have to be those models for the kids and make full use of our limited time with them. We essentially have less than a third of the amount of hours they spend awake each day to make an impression. If we were to lose sight of our goals, construction or not, we’d be setting ourselves up for disappointment. Focus and patience is required on a daily basis.
Here are a few examples of what we’ve been doing this past week. One project we are working on is cleaning up the back play area of glass, rocks and concrete. Throughout this work, we remind them that keeping the foundation a safe and clean place is the responsibility of everyone there. After a week of work, we will be rewarding them with a day at the “play”, which is really a large baseball field. Another activity that we don’t usually have time to organize is relay races. It’s really fun to divide the kids up in mixed teams, have them do silly gestures across the basketball court and be competitive. Through these types of activities we hope to instill teamwork and good sportsmanship, although this is really a work in progress. They complain about the “weak link” on the team and upon winning, love to run around screaming “We won! We won!” to the other teams. After only a couple days of organized play, though, quick improvement can be seen.
One of the most enjoyable things to have watched thus far, and a great example of their improvement, is the kids organizing their own group play that includes everyone. Last week, when there was only one, somewhat deflated ball available, the kids formed a version of dodge ball, in which only two people can throw the ball at the crowd of kids. Upon getting hit, you’re out, and the last kid left gets ten chances to dodge the ball in order to win the game. Each time the game got down to one kid, the rest of the kids would chant their name- whether they were big or little, girl or boy, Dominican or Haitian. The game has been played most days since. This shows vast improvement as they were able to figure out how to involve every kid using just one ball, mix the genders and get along, even cheering each other on. I’d like to think it’s a result of telling them to share and take turns 100 times a day, but regardless, it’s been one of the more proud moments we’ve had.
Thank you all so much for your support. We wouldn’t be here without you.
