first day of work today..

Going to make this one poignant, as I am quite tired..

Yesterday we went to view the project and afterwards for a walk around the old town which is stunning, the part where we are working too.

In the evening we went to a catholic mass which was quite beatiful in a really big church resembling the stephansdom, with a woman singing with microphone who has a very meditational voice. The service was very traditional and in the way of catholics, quite official yet passionate and glorifying of their God.

Afterwards I went out with a very nice Ecuadorian boy who has studied classical music in Moscow and Stockholm and is very informed about Sibelius..

Today in the morning we started work. The centre is very disorganized, headed by catholic nuns who are quite authorative and distanced with the kids. One of the nuns is very pleasant though. There are two other nice volontaries apart from us who are very friendly, Michael a german boy and Nelly a british-indian girl.
They have been in the project for over a month so they are very helpful. the centre is quite dirty and obviously lacking in financial resources. It is however very beautiful with large balconies overlooking the city.

In the mornings we have classes with the kids, usually in small groups, teaching them to read and spell and more according to their level which is obviously very variant, some old kids can not read, whereas some young ones have gone to school for some time before landing on the street. The children are incredibly sweet and obviously in need of some affection, they are always hugging you and blabbering on about their days. There are some really special kids, who are obviously very intelligent and compassionate, and others that don´t really have a sense of discipline or why you need to learn things, sit down and listen to people etc.
the volontaries have a huge task as they are the only ones apart from 2 teachers of which one is only present each day, who teach the children and really spend time with them. There is some racial discrimination between the black children and Ecuadorian ones. The children are forced to do tasks in the kitchen, carpentry, which at times is in too vast plentitude, especially when it comes to the black kids.
Spending time with the kids is so rewarding and they return the favour with lots of affection.

Afterwards, two hours of intensive Spanish, only reciting irregular verbs, which I thought was a little unnecessary in that extent. My teacher is really sweet and once you get her talking she blabbers on and on and repeats herself atleast 5 times.

today we are handing out flyers for the project to collect money through a fundraising event.
Otherwise I have nothing in mind but cooking some tortillas and enjoying the delicious array of fruits available. You can buy fresh thick pure juice of Guanabanas and other exotic fruits for less than 50 euro cents.. heavenly, empanadas etc. the food here is very good, I guess a little bit of an international mixture of Latin and spanish foods.
I will have to try Cuy.. Guinea pig sometime which is an indigena traditional dish.. hmm
Ok stopping as need a little rest, have been on my feet for ages.
Laura