Day One

The first day went well.  I slept really well last night and woke up cold a number of times.  That seems odd considering that it gets up to the mid-90’s daily here.  Today was warm as well, but there was a great cooling breeze up on the roof.

I spent most of my morning working with two ladies who come to the orphanage to run school for the kids who don’t go to “regular” school.  This includes the babies, the pre-K kids, and the special-needs kids.   This conglomeration of children is quite an experience!  The kids speak Kreyol, yet school is taught in French.  At least I could understand most of the French, but it took me awhile because school in Haiti seems to be taught loudly.  I mean, the teachers speak loudly and the kids respond loudly.  It seems as if the louder the speaking, the more learning will take place.  I think what it really means is that the loud child is noticed while the quiet one blends in. 

The school day starts with singing and praying.  Then the kids take an assortment of seats at small tables.  At that time, we worked a bit on learning about the calendar—it gives the day, the date, the month, and the year.  The kids practiced saying the names of the school, their teachers, and Madame Gertrude (la directrisse).  All of this is set to song.  I can’t sing, so I don’t think I could ever be a Haitian teacher!

After lunch, Cade bit me.  He likes to grab food from the other kids, so after he was done, I took him to the playground and wouldn’t let him return.  He became very agitated, banged his head against the wall, slapped me, and then bit me.  It’s the only way he knows to vent his frustration.  He is always hungry.  Everyone here is always hungry.  And the only way to try to get enough food is to eat fast and take more from others.  I thought I was doing a helpful thing by taking him to the playground; I thought it would distract him.  I didn’t realize how distraught he would become without the chance for more food.  I don’t think I’ll do the same thing tomorrow.  Don’t know what I will try, but it will be different. 

Gertrude was out most of the day which meant that no one here spoke English.  Talk about immersion to learn a language!  I had to speak French and Kreyol to get by.  I don’t mind speaking with the kids, but I still get nervous speaking with adults.  I am so afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing myself.  I’m gonna hafta get over that!

I decided today that I will give some information each day about a different child here.  Today is Christina’s day.  She is approximately 5 years old.  She doesn’t speak and is unable to feed herself.  She has the most beautiful smile that lights up her whole face.  She likes to clap her hands when we are singing.  She can sit up by herself, but she doesn’t crawl.  I sat and played with her a bit late in the afternoon to see what she is capable of physically.  When she lies on her stomach, she can lift her head and torso off the ground, but she doesn’t roll over.  Her leg strength isn’t there to allow her to stand or walk.  I would like to change that.  I think Gertrude has some standers that we can adapt to Christina’s height and have her stand in it some every day.  That way her muscles should become strong enough for her to stand (maybe walk?) on her own.

That's it for tonight.  Have to do some research for tomorrow.