Oh god, just finished my first day ..... After having had to get 3 different local buses into downtown San Jose and then out to Barrio Naciones Unidas I arrived at the centre a tad nervous.
I was asked to help out with a group of younger kids, there was one carer with about six 3 year old lads and 5 babies .... yes, babies. I was sort of thinking oooohhhhmmyyyggooddd !! I dont DO babies !! Thankfully she asked me to keep an eye on the lads, I had not one clue what to do but once they discovered I could be used as a 5 foot 10 human climbing frame they seemed quite happy.
There aren't that many kids there at the moment due to the fact that it's the holidays. I felt like a bit like a spare part for a lot of today because they are happy to leave you to do your own thing. At one point I was left with all the babies and 3 year olds to keep an eye on them because they were sleeping, until she left and of course they all woke up and I'm just standing there going .... "ok then, erm, please be quiet !"
One of the kids (Andy) is really withdrawn and spent most of the day crying quietly which worried me. I managed to get a bit of connection with him after a while but his not big on eye contact or generally talking ...
Anyway, I had a nose around the centre and found a load of colouring and drawing stuff and I also spoke to 4 slightly older girls and asked if they wanted to try learning some English. Maybe tomorrow I can get more involved. I've been told to just do what I want ....
I feel like a bit of a fish out of water at the moment ... but I like a challenge !
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