Today I couldn’t get an internet connection so I just copied
and pasted to what I had written on Sunday. Let’s see if tomorrow I have more
luck. In general it is proving difficult to get a connection, mobile coverage
and hot water. But at least it’s not raining and we are eating very well.
Today, as we had foreseen there were smiles and tears. We explained to the
carers that we had to change the groups, there were tears of separation, some
protests and some happiness. We didn’t achieve 100% of what we had intended but
took a step in the right direction. By Wednesday we had to have all the babies
and infants organised into their classes with their correct carers because the
course is starting. I went to the infants classroom and there found my
children. I don’t think they recognised me and I still couldn’t recognise all
of them. They are all lovely though, healthy, clean, happy, calm and chubby.
Elizabeth is the queen of the class and is charming. My Miguel didn’t come
today because he had his circumcision, poor little one! In addition there were
the two pairs of very small twins that are starting the course but who we have
had at the school for a while already to feed and care for them as we were
worried they would not survive. Also we have the new small baby boy with
cerebral paralysis who is very disconnected from his environment. As soon as
the kindergarten is up and running, and I think that this year it will be
easier, I shall concentrate more on this boy and the other little girl with
cerebral paralysis. I am optimistic of course.
After all the confusion of the new groups we were able to do
the interviews for the new carers. We saw 16 in total. Dear me what a lot we
had to check: age, studies, family situation, children, experience, ideas for
work in terms of activities, attitude towards HIV positive children, ability to
fulfil hours of work, availability to attend training course after the classes
finish, relation to the families of the children… we had to take into account a
mountain of factors. Even making them sing or play on the floor with Carolina
who was pretending to be a child, in order to see how they felt being on the
floor and if they knew how to use the toys and if they could use them in an
educative fashion… Last year we noticed that the carers were adept at providing
assistance with meals, nappies, etc. but few were motivated to sing, play or teach.
For this reason we were particularly looking for carers who could demonstrate
these abilities. It was difficult though because they themselves had lived
their childhood without toys. However amongst all of these we found two girls
who we believe will be fantastic.
In the afternoon we went to Sebeta, the centre for the blind
children which is half and hour or so from Abugida. The two girls from the Canaries
who arrived last night, Virginia, us and Zerihun travelled over. I was a little overwhelmed by Sebeta. The environment is
nice, even better than Abugida, but the school is a horrible ghetto for these
blind children, some without eyes, in a lamentable state of hygiene. The two Argentinean
girls had been creating a playroom/workshop which is beautiful. The Canarian
girls will remain here in Sebeta to continue with the work of Virginia and Debora. I
have suggested that they prioritise hygiene before play if not the infections
will create big problems (you cannot imagine how these children smell).
Returned to Abugida, ate well, prepared my report regarding
the selection of the new carers and then to sleep to face another day tomorrow.
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