It was the hottest day yet. Not a cloud in the sky, and not even a trace of wind. My iPod tells me it was somewhere arond 90 degrees. At the school, we are requred to wear pants past out knees. Their school is an oven, with only two to four fans to cool 30 to 40 kids. I had to leave the room to find a breeze after my eyes started getting blurry and my head was pounding. It reminded me of being in a haymow unloading hay on the hottest Wisconsin day. Except I was sweating without moving a muscle. The kids don't seem to break a sweat.
The reaction from the kids as we walk into the school never fails to make my heart absolutely melt. We are greeted by kids running to hug us and say hola, to kiss our cheeks, climb on our laps and just be held.
She said it was me, and when I told her she was an artist she just smiled shyly.
There are no words do describe the feeling, but I am so happy that I decided to stay in Cartagena and volunteer one more week. The kids make me want to stay forever.
So many people here want to learn English, but the number of capable teachers is minimal. The realization that I am helping someone - even if it is only one child - to be one step closer to making their dreams come true, is amazing to me. Knowing that I can play even a small part in affecting their life and helping them learn, when they otherwise may not be able to...or even just loving them...it makes all of my problems nonexistent. I do not matter anymore, but only these precious children dying to learn and be encouraged.
After our three classes, some dear ladies at the school gave me my custom made shoes. They make them to sell, and they hand stich and cut them.
They are the most incredible sandles I have ever owned, and I got to design them myself! Seriously, so stinking amazing!! :)
For the second time, last Thursday I went to Marea, the project at the drug rehabilitation center. It is about an hour and a half journey, taking two bumpy buses and a tuk-tuk. (Imagine 4 people with backpacks crammed next to me in unbelievable heat for actual effect.)
The trip to Marea takes us past such diverse landscape.
From city...
(Motercycles crossing a tiny pass between two highways)
...to dry dusty fields...
...to a lush green forest trail. (No photo available. I was too busy being in awe.)
That day I only went because it was a full day and the only other Thursday project is just two hours in the morning. I'm so glad I did though, and plan to go back twice this week.
We start out in the morning teaching English, and I had an amazing conversation with two teen boys. We practiced the alphabet, but they soon got bored and were more interested in learning about my life in Estados Unidos. (United States)
There were a few new boys, and for some reason, I felt so much sadness. I have never looked into someone's eyes and seen so much emptiness. You can tell that when the teens come to the center, they are lost, broken, and addicted. But the longer they are there, with good friends and loving volunteers to love them, you see them open up. The light returns to their eyes, and they have hope for a life without addiction.
But the first few weeks...their eyes are haunting. They sit in silence, just watching, and I would do anything to instantly take their pain and make it better. Alas, healing is a process, and I am thankful I can be a part of it at all.
In the afternoon, we play sports! I played with a new guy...he taught me to throw a football, and I was pretty proud of myself because the first few times, I couldn't catch or throw at all, and by the end, my new friend Estaban was cheering me on and telling me I was good. Success. :)
Friday I again returned to the morning Community project, teaching English to four pretty wonderful students. I love that project, but wish it was more than two hours. But, I missed my students and was told they were asking for me, so I had to go back. I love being missed. :')
It was a pretty great day of teaching pronouns and verbs and pronunciation, and just conversing with the Colombians. The coolest part, I found out one of my students was a dancer in the Barranquilla Festival! More on that later, but it's pretty cool to say I taught English to a dancer in the second largest Carnaval in the world! :)
Teaching aside, I am slowly letting go of my worries from home and finally getting into being here. It is so beautiful. Such a beautiful culture. There is something here that I have never experienced in America and don't believe I ever will, and for that happy aire, part of me will never completely be at home apart from this Latin culture.
One more week of volunteering, and then off to the unknown land of adventurous travels. :]
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