Day 3
written on May 16/11
written on May 16/11
We had our first official construction day today and it was hot!!! People from here are saying it’s the hottest it has been in a while. Even standing in the shade, completely still, the sweat drips off me. Our team is building a large storage shed for the school’s supplies, equipment, furniture and other stuff to stop it from getting stolen. Today, the team dug a deep hole for the perimeter foundation and then mixed (by hand) and poured concrete (using bucket after bucket after bucket). This, as you can imagine, is incredibly hard physical work. Since I had Abriel there I didn’t do a whole lot of physical labour but I saw our team working together and working hard and I saw the local workers (David, Pastor Cleabert, Miguel and Roganson) working even harder. They put us foreigners to shame J. It’s amazing to watch.
I also used my woven wrap for the first time.... don’t think we quite did it right but it worked. I’m looking forward to becoming pro at it because baby girl likes to be carried in it and fall asleep in it....and I like to sweat wearing it! The kids at the school loved seeing and meeting Abriel. They poked, touched and shook her (just a little). Everyone wanted to hold her.... we let a few kids but then everyone wanted a turn so we had to stop. The kids don’t even know us or her but they showed so much love. We also got to meet our sponsor child, Maria. What a beautiful and sweet girl. We used our interpreter, Franklin, to explain who we were. She was very shy and just smiled at us. It’s slightly awkward because we want to express how much we care for her without freaking her out. We are looking forward to seeing her again this week since we brought her some gifts. Sponsoring children can sometimes be a mindless task because we just give money in hopes that it makes a difference and is used for its intended purpose but being able to meet and see where your money actual goes proves it to really be a worthy cause. I am not about pushing guilt trips but there is no reason why people who live in our country who earn/make any amount of wage should not have a sponsor child. If your excuse is because you think it’s a scam I will point you to one agency I promise is not a scam since I have seen it with my own eyes.
We also had an opportunity later in the week to meet Maria's mom, dad and a few of her siblings (she is a child of 7). We visited in front of their house and got to watch her open the presents we brought with us. We chose to give the presents later in the week because we don't want her to think we are only there to give her things but that we are there because we love her and want to know her. Her family was very kind and she smiled as she open the gift. We learned that her father was out of work.... which means their family is really in need right now. It was a pleasure to meet them all and we are excited to go back and visit with them again sometime. We are hoping it can become a friendship and not just a transaction. Chris and Keeleah
Hugs For Kids - This sponsorship program is run by Servants Heart Ministries (who we work with in the DR) and where one of our sponsor children are from. They still have 28 children in need of sponsorship before September 2011.
Go pick a child :)
1 comment:
just a wee FYI... one of the guys from black eyed peas was a sponsored child while growing up in the philippines. pretty cool! keep up the good work, love the blog!
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