First day at the orphanage

November 6th, 2009 by pierre myrand

Courtyard of the orphanage where we play soccer

Roome where homework is done and playing, fighting, etc as well

Monday was a national holiday in Peru, so I kind of had the day off. I visited three museums that I had not seen as well as a colonial house built in the 17^th century. I was a great day as in addition I got to talk to my kids and my wife.

Tuesday was back to regular schedule: up at 5h30 or 6h00, read a bit, check emails to see if anybody still loves me, breakfast at 7h00 and leave at 8h00 for the combi to Chensaysuyo to work on the wall we moved 6 feet to the right. To my great surprise we increased our volunteer construction team from 3 to 10! Wow, fresh blood. As of the end of day today, one side of the wall is fully plastered and the other side should be finished tomorrow. I brought the new soccer ball and volleyball to the school and should give it to the kids tomorrow.

Back home for lunch and a shower; I had white plaster all over my clothes and in my hair. After a change of clothes, I head off to the orphanage which is a 25 minute walk from home. I am there from 3h30 to 6h00 approximately. After my first day, I thought I would not continue. Why you would ask? Well, I felt totally useless. When I arrived, the 25 or so kids from ages 8 to 12 are supposed to be doing their homework. They are all in this one big room with little windows and two or three neon lights. Some kids are quite serious about their homework while others couldn’t care less. They tease each other, throw things at each other, and start fighting with one another. I arrived during that messy situation with no one to tell what I should do. There were three other volunteers there that were playing with the kids that had completed their homework or could care less about it. I tried to help a few kids but felt useless because I could not read their handwriting in addition to not knowing all the words even if I could read their handwriting. Once all pretty much finished, they all dispersed either outside in our around the courtyard or stayed in the room to play games. I did not feel welcomed in any of the game except for the last 15 minutes or so when 3 or 4 of the kids and the “resident psychologist” played a game of soccer with a little pink ball. I was ready to quit but at the same time I was wondering what was wrong with me.

On Wednesday, before going back to the orphanage called Maria Solome Ferre, I went to Maximo Nivel to talk about the situation. They encouraged me to give it a few days. Well they were right! It was much better and I did not feel useless. I guess on the first day I wanted to be every thing to every boy in the place. Wednesday I was able to help some of the boys with their homework especially in math. When other kids saw that I successfully helped one of their friends, 4 or 5 more wanted my help. Then, we went out to play. I would say that a small group of 5 or 6 boys have taken a liking to me and are hanging around me. One even took my hand to lead me to a remote bench so that I could write him some English words in his notebook.

Today was pretty much the same as on Wednesday. We even played a 4 against 4 soccer game in the inner courtyard! Not the best or safest place to play. Well it felt good again today and I will continue up to Thursday next week. These boys live a totally different life than any kids back in Montreal as well as any kids in a Montreal orphanage, although I have never been in one. They have limited toys and games, they have limited school supplies, and they have limited attention from adults.

This week-end I will be leaving Friday night at 10h00PM by bus to see Lake Titicaca and will sleep with a family in a traditional setting on one of the two main islands on the lake. I am looking forward to it.

Have a great weekend and see you soon; only two more weeks to go before I return to Montreal.

With all my love from Cusco