Day 5 - Tutoring

Today, tutored the cute children again.  Last time, read Hansel and Gretyl a million times.  Today only once, I think.  Read Puss and Boots for a change.  Also, Chuck's Sandwhich.  Was such fun.  The kids had a dance concert that was very entertaining.  At playtime, I let the wild boys play with the parachute again.  Decided to put it away after about 15 minutes so we wouldn't have any casualties.  Got it out for the little girls later.  They played with it over 30 minutes, because I wasn't afraid someone would get hurt.  They (boys and girls) also love the jump ropes.  One (out of the 4 I brought) is missing.  The beach ball went missing yesterday.  Today I asked someone where it was, and they knew which room it had been smuggled into and went and got it.  They so make me laugh.  I shouldn't be an enabler...

Fourth Day - Colony

We drove out to another Leprosy Colony today.  I was assigned to help at the Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose checking station.  There was a nurse there helping.  This was not a good place for me.  There is a reason I am not a nurse.  I don't like to hurt people.  When a man flinched and I knew I hurt him, I decided, I'm not doing that anymore.  I did blood pressure instead, but I think I'm much more comfortable with taking care of feet.  The people at this colony were also very nice.  There was a school nearby with the cutest children you've ever seen. 

At play time today, I got out the parachute and beach balls.  The parachute lasted about 15 minutes;  I put it away when a small child got mildly hurt.  They are just so wild and excited to play with it.  One of the beach balls got a hole.  I was going to try and tape it to see if it could last a bit longer, but it "disappeared" along with the other one.  My roomate was able to retrieve all 4 jump ropes--They enjoyed those as well.  (I'm not sure where the beach ball could be hidden - it is pretty bulky!)  I shouldn't laugh, but the kids are just so fun.  I want to buy a bunch of beach balls and other stuff for the Star Store, but I'm not sure where.  I don't think they have Target or Walmarts here.

At family time, I took some markers and finger nail polish (I have a boys house, but everyone kept assuring me the boys like the nail polish too, and they did.  There was only a small amount that I couldn't get off the floor - I'm taking something to clean it up tomorrow.)

A frog and a snake have be found in the bathroom.  I'm not tired of curry and rice yet.  I quite enjoy it every night.

Thanks to JJ, a fellow volunteer who took most of these pictures.  )He is in the grey shirt.)

 

Third Day - Tutoring and Olympics

Today was first day of tutoring the kids while they were in school.  It was fun and relaxing.  Read the story of Hansel and Gretel with various children.  Read with 4-5 children.  Also worked in the Computer lab.  Had to have a refresher course in geometry!

After school, we did my activity - Rising Star Olympics.  Was crazy!!!  But we had fun.  Total chaos with the water balloons - so I heard, but I see some pictures to prove otherwise.  I did the spoon/cup and sponge games.  Was hard to coordinate when I had a different group of kids every 30 seconds or so.  But they had fun and implemented their own rules as they desired.

The duplicate picture, which I can't figure out how to delete, is my camara girl.  She took the video:)

 

Second Day - Leprosy Colony

Yesterday we visisted one of the leprosy colonies served by Rising Star.  Saw a monkey and it's baby on the side of the road.  Had our driver pull over so we could have a better look.  Very cute.  The colony we went to was small and well kept.  Not sure who built the buildings for them to stay in.  Some thought is was the government.  Maybe some organization from Belguim.  And I'm not sure when - they seemed quite new to me.  Rising star comes every two weeks and provides medical care.  The patients are given self care kits; we (volunteers) are there to reinforce what they should be doing every day.  They were very sweet and kind people.  Most were full of smiles.  On the way home we stopped and visited a temple and climbed up the hill to the top.  There were a bunch of statues depicting the life of Christ on the way up to the top. 

 

First Day.

Busy, busy, busy.

Were picked up by RSO coordinators and driven to the RSO campus, which has our hostel, a school for the children, and a children's hostel.  We received some orientation and were put to work!  We played with the children during their free time.  They are the friendliest group of children I've ever been around.  Then we had dinner on the roof.  After dinner, we went and read stories to the children before they went to bed.  Brought and read, "The Napping House" - my favorite book.  Some of the kids can read quite well.  They are all just so cute.  Pictures are at the Marriott in Chennai and the sign at the entrance to Rising Star.  I didn't have time to take any more pictures after that.  One of my cohorts has a blog spot too - www.bccelebrates.blogspot.com.

Tomorrow we are going out to one of the colonies with the Medical Unit. 

Arrived in India!!! 

I made it.  Long flights.  All I've done for the last 24 hours is eat, nap, watch movies and read.  I'm ready for something productive!  A few more hours and I'll be on my way.