(written Feb. 9, 2010)
Something crazy and completely unexpected (by us, the World
Racers, anyway) happened within 48 hours of our arrival at the WHCC. One set of
houseparents left. How long had this been their intention? A while, but they
hadn’t given a specific date of departure. What was the straw that broke the
camel’s back? Dunno.
Racers, anyway) happened within 48 hours of our arrival at the WHCC. One set of
houseparents left. How long had this been their intention? A while, but they
hadn’t given a specific date of departure. What was the straw that broke the
camel’s back? Dunno.
What I do know is that since Friday night, team Komboa had
been daytime houseparents to the boys of Tower House (Tower because the house
is shaped like a tower). Let me reacquaint you with the team in light of our
new roles.
been daytime houseparents to the boys of Tower House (Tower because the house
is shaped like a tower). Let me reacquaint you with the team in light of our
new roles.
The Day Crew
Me and Glenalyn.
In the AM, we’re responsible for making sure the boys get
off to class, getting their lunches and recess snacks to the shop to be kept
cool and redistributed at the appropriate times, sweeping the kitchen floor
(and mopping, as need be), and getting the laundry done. In the PM, we make
sure afternoon tea is set up and ready to go. Oh, and somewhere in the lot, we
get the shopping done at the shop on-campus, too.
off to class, getting their lunches and recess snacks to the shop to be kept
cool and redistributed at the appropriate times, sweeping the kitchen floor
(and mopping, as need be), and getting the laundry done. In the PM, we make
sure afternoon tea is set up and ready to go. Oh, and somewhere in the lot, we
get the shopping done at the shop on-campus, too.
Afternoon/Evening Crew
Lauren, Leyna, Megan.
They hang out with the boys during afternoon tea, clean that
up, do a load of laundry with the boys’ school shirts, and have dinner with
them. They also may or may not have ice cream in the evening with the boys,
too.
up, do a load of laundry with the boys’ school shirts, and have dinner with
them. They also may or may not have ice cream in the evening with the boys,
too.
The Muscle
Noe and David.
Because about half of the boys in Tower House are over the
age of 15, it isn’t always easy to get them to listen to the women (Aboriginal
cultural tip: once a boy turns into a man at the age of 15, he doesn’t have to
listen to or respect a woman anymore). That’s where David and Noe come in.
Mostly, they hang out, serve them ice cream in the evenings, grill as necessary
for dinner, make sure the boys listen/hear what they’ve been asked by the
ladies, keep the ladies safe… all that fun stuff.
age of 15, it isn’t always easy to get them to listen to the women (Aboriginal
cultural tip: once a boy turns into a man at the age of 15, he doesn’t have to
listen to or respect a woman anymore). That’s where David and Noe come in.
Mostly, they hang out, serve them ice cream in the evenings, grill as necessary
for dinner, make sure the boys listen/hear what they’ve been asked by the
ladies, keep the ladies safe… all that fun stuff.
In a nutshell – that’s the crew. And our days. At night, one
of the male staffers (and his spouse, if he’s married) stays in the house with
the boys – the houseparent flat just isn’t big enough to accommodate a team of
seven, and that’s about the only way Komboa would have stayed in the flat.
of the male staffers (and his spouse, if he’s married) stays in the house with
the boys – the houseparent flat just isn’t big enough to accommodate a team of
seven, and that’s about the only way Komboa would have stayed in the flat.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers thusfar, we’ve
definitely had a lot to learn in the way of patience and other things, because
sometimes things can get out of hand. But these guys really are great, as we’ve
found out in just getting to know them. We love them a lot, and having time to
spend with them is awesome!
definitely had a lot to learn in the way of patience and other things, because
sometimes things can get out of hand. But these guys really are great, as we’ve
found out in just getting to know them. We love them a lot, and having time to
spend with them is awesome!
(I would have gotten a
picture of the Tower House boys, but they’re never in the house at once unless
it’s dinner time – which I’m not there for – or they’re in bed asleep. Boo!)
picture of the Tower House boys, but they’re never in the house at once unless
it’s dinner time – which I’m not there for – or they’re in bed asleep. Boo!)
