A couple other volunteers came in for a while, but mostly talked amongst themselves instead of playing with the kids. There's definitely a divide among the volunteers, those in the Christian organizations, and the others. It's unfortunate, and I know it is hard to coordinate with people outside of your own group, but things would be a lot more effective if there was respect on both ends. I think that the other volunteers feel like they don't have anything to do and are frustrated because they paid for the experience and are being jipped in their mind. I can empathize, but I'm thankful that I'm in the nursery. The other volunteers are working with the school age kids and there are definitely a more hands in the orphanage than before. It's a shame that there is a divide.
I was talking to one of the girls about Oliver and the way that his legs just give out from under him and how he never wants to try and stand up. He's completely content with rocking back and forth on his knees and sitting all day. She was wondering if malnutrion/rickets could be a possible cause. I don't think that I'll ever get an answer on that one!
Luis and Oliver got a major buzz haircut today because of the lice that is going around the place. They look pretty cute with their new haircuts. After Luis got his, he came into the nuresry and kept looking in the mirror hanging on the side of one of the cribs. It was pretty cute. I think he realy liked it! The girls in the orphanage, all 40 of them (give or take) were given the lice treatment today using the really strong shampoo. It was quite a process that was really hard to watch. I helped with the younger ones getting them changed and ready to go through the line. They had to get their hair wet, then they came back a little later and were given the treatment shampoo, then sent back into the room where a movie was playing, and after a certain amount of time brought back in to have the shampoo rinsed off, and then they washed their hair and changed their clothes. The sad part was when almost all of the girls got the soap in their eyes and were screaming. One of the workers must have seen the look on my face and commented that I looked sad. I'm not exactly sure how effective the whole treatment was considering the kids came back and used the same brushes they had been using before.
Luis and his new buzz cut!
All shampooed.We went to the gym again today, I ran 4 miles again! We made cookies again as well, although this time we got oatmeal chocolate chip. They were delicious, although the second batch came out a little burnt.
I also got to skype with Gina, one of the girls that was here my first week, today. It was really great to catch up and here about life back in NYC. I'm looking forward to the trips that I'm going to have to make to visit the friends I made here. Hannah and I were already talking about when I am able to come down to Gerogia! That would be a lot of fun!
I got teary again today thinking about leaving. Gabby, one of the staff, commented on how sad she was going to be when I left, that I was such a positive and kind person and that it was a pleasure having me around. The staff has been so wonderful and have really done a wonderful job investing in us. A month is a long time, but it's gone by so fast! I set up my rides today to Antigua and then to the airport on Saturday. Another girl, Emily, is coming in the 5am shuttle from Antigua to the airport with me, so that's nice I won't have to travel alone.
Two more nights of sleep here! Tomorrow we're going to work as usual, we have salsa lessons, and then we're going out to eat as a group as sort of a celebration. 7 of us are done this week and when we leave a new gruop of 16 people are going to come in. The house is definitely going to be very different.
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