When we don't visit a Deaf school, we typically visit a hearing school within the barrio (neighborhood) in the afternoon. Therefore our morning was free. We all took off with water and pockets full of candy. Our goal? Walk around the barrio, meet people and give the kids candy. The first house was just at the bottom of the hill of the driveway. Primo, our night security guard, and his family live there. We have loved his children JellyMae and Mark Anthony at their schools and when we see them around. His wife just had their fourth child, Jefferson, just a month ago. She was still recovering from her emergency C-section, which is a big deal in the Philippines. Primo's oldest child, though, is who steals our heart every year. His name is James. He has cerebral palsy. He is confined to his bed all day. His bed is made up of two wooden benches pushed together to make a "crib". No mattress, no pillow. We held his hands, moved his arms, and sang to him. He smiled!!! What I would give to see an occupational therapist with James! It's these times when I think of how rich us Americans are, we have so much, and know so much, and we take it for granted everyday.
Continuing on our walk we spent time with the preschool kids and teacher. Amanda (senior in Bothell) and I continued our walk to go to Tessy's house. She has been a long time friend in the barrio. She was married as soon as she quit school, at 14 years old and had her first baby when she was 15. She has two babies now.
The afternoon we visited a barrio school called Triple Union. In the past this school has been very difficult as there are many of them and few of us. Their behavior is often disrespectful and
pushy. This time I was amazed that it ran so much more smooth. Granted we have 30 people on our team, rather than 20, so our numbers increased. I think what really helped though, was warning our team, and encouraging them to be proactive with organization. It really paid off, especially when we were handing out the gift bags. Typically they push and shove and grab at the bags, this time we organized it so that when they left the school, they could get one - so much better! If you double click on this picture, and zoom into this boy's eyes, you can see me taking a picture of him - in his eyes!!!!
Continuing on our walk we spent time with the preschool kids and teacher. Amanda (senior in Bothell) and I continued our walk to go to Tessy's house. She has been a long time friend in the barrio. She was married as soon as she quit school, at 14 years old and had her first baby when she was 15. She has two babies now.
The afternoon we visited a barrio school called Triple Union. In the past this school has been very difficult as there are many of them and few of us. Their behavior is often disrespectful and
pushy. This time I was amazed that it ran so much more smooth. Granted we have 30 people on our team, rather than 20, so our numbers increased. I think what really helped though, was warning our team, and encouraging them to be proactive with organization. It really paid off, especially when we were handing out the gift bags. Typically they push and shove and grab at the bags, this time we organized it so that when they left the school, they could get one - so much better! If you double click on this picture, and zoom into this boy's eyes, you can see me taking a picture of him - in his eyes!!!!
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