This month, we’ve been partnering with PopUp Ministries as our ministry site, and also our living site. They are a great organization that empower people once they’ve finished high school and university. They have a bunch of different programs within the ministry, and one of those is a daycare program. Coming from the jobs that I’ve done, it was automatic that that is where I would be serving the majority of the month. I was a little apprehensive going in because sometimes kids act crazy when American’s come to volunteer and I didn’t know if I could handle that for a whole month. The kids however, behave greatly and it’s been a blast hanging out with them this month. I’ve been in the one year old classroom, and I want to introduce you to some of my new friends.
First up is Lesogo. She is a quiet, but sneaky one. She always looks confused, but is the sweetest thing once she’s comfortable with you. Even though she’s quiet, this girl can defend herself if someone tries to take her toys. She doesn’t mess around with things being taken from her, and that’s probably because she’s a twin.
Next is her twin brother Resogo. Man this kid is so smiley, it’s ridiculous. It’s very rare that you’ll catch him without a smile on his face. If he’s not smiling, he’s usually getting into something he shouldn’t, or stealing our iPods. He’s so busy running around all day, that he without fail, falls asleep at the lunch table every day. He hates being told what to do, but will do it if you ask enough times.
Vhulenda is next. This is the class “baby”, but the spunkiest of them all. She is always on the go and always pretends she’s hard of hearing when you tell her to do things. She’s a snuggle bug when she wants to be, but also has too many places to go to be held. She is always so concerned with what the other kids are doing that she always trips or falls because she never watches where she’s going.
Bonolo comes next in line. She’s one of the older kids, and definitely marches to the beat of her own drum. When the kids are playing on the trampoline, she’s the first to get off and play on the slide. She’s the trend setter in the class, and loves when people follow her lead. She also loves to sing, but not when the teacher ask her. (Bonolo's in the pink jacket)
Bradley is next up. Bradley, Bradley, Bradley, or as I like to call him “Bradley Cooper.” he looks nothing like him, but for some reason, I started calling him that and it stuck. Bradley is my mysterious ball of cuddles. He can’t walk, so we have to carry him everywhere, which usually ends in him getting left in a room because we follow the others out. Instead of crying though, he just sits and waits. He rarely smiled in the beginning, but now he’s always smiling, waiving at us, or bobbing his head waiting for someone to copy him. He is also one that always falls asleep during lunch which provides us some good laughs
Now it’s Audrey’s turn. Audrey is the quietest one year old I have ever known. She barely makes a peep, and is just so content with everything. She rarely smiles, but when she does, it’s the prettiest smile I’ve ver seen. She is so content with just sitting and observing everyone, we never have to worry if she’s getting into trouble because we know she’s not. She is a great listener, and shares good with the other kids.
Lesley’s up. Lesley is our class softy. He is new to the class, this being this third week there, and he has his days where he would rather be with his mom. Since us coming though, he has transformed into a whole new baby. If he’s not laughing, he’s crying, but his laughter is a lot more common these days. He loves eating, but only sweet things like yogurt, which is a site to see at lunch time when they try to feed him regular food. He loves being outside the classroom and is constantly sneaking out when given the chance. (Lesley was out the day we took pictures, so I don’t have one of him)
Last up is Baba or Rae-Leigh. This little girl is so loud, but it’s perfect. Whenever we walk in the gate, she shouts at us until we acknowledge her, and then goes back to doing her thing. She is always up for taking pictures with us. She loves to sing and dance and is always the one singing along with any song we sing. She is such a bundle of joy and everyone that meets her falls in love with her. She is the class leader and she along with the other kids know that.
These kiddo’s have been so good to my heart and I have throughly enjoyed spending time with them. These kids have made my month and I couldn’t of asked for a better group. I’m going to miss my little ones, but I’m so thankful for the time we’ve had together.
