Our new ministry is simply perfect, I can’t think of a better way to describe it. But, it’s top secret! I am not allowed to disclose any names or locations of the organization I am working with, nor take or post any pictures of the children or anything to do with the ministry, in order to keep their program running smoothly and safely. However, I will gladly tell you all about what I do there and how amazing it is.
I volunteer at an organization that was started in a church’s community center. Children ages 3 months all the way through 12 years old are welcomed with open, loving arms from 6:30am – 7pm. The families of these kids are required to pay a small fee for their children to attend, however, many of the kids attend on scholarship. The kids are split in 4 different age groups: 3 months – 3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, and 8-12 years. These kids get structured learning time, time to play outside on the playground, to learn about the gospel, and three meals a day. The organization has a kitchen with two cooks who provide all three meals for all of the kids, teachers, and even us, the volunteers!
So what do I do there? Well, my team of 8 girls volunteer from 10am – 2pm on Tuesday through Friday. When we arrive we split up into what we have organized to be 5 different stations (named solely off what my team refers to them as), which are as follows:
Station 1: The Big Kids (age group 8-12)
This station is crazy, but you definitely will never be bored. Two volunteers are needed here. When we arrive, the kids are usually working on an project of some kind such as art relating to the gospel, grammar worksheets, or math. So we talk with the kids a little and help them if they need it, but mostly we clean up after them. Then, we take the kids outside where they can simply run around and play on the playgroup, or play soccer, or jump rope. Next is lunch. We lead the kids into the cafeteria and try our best to keep them well mannered and under control. Once they’ve all finished they wash their hands and brush their teeth, (weird right? Well not in Costa Rica! All the kids brush their teeth after eating at our ministry and at all the other ministry the other teams on my squad work in). Once they’re all cleaned up, it’s nap time. Attempting to get a room full of 8-12 year olds to sleep for the remaining hour we are at ministry is even more than difficult than you’re imagining. The kids are restless and rowdy. All they want to do is play and talk with us. It’s definitely a trial of patience and endurance as we sit there shushing them, since we can’t say many more words in Spanish than “silencio porfavor,” but like I said, you never get bored.
Station 2: The Blue Room (age group 6-7)
This room is full of loving children who want all of your attention, they simply think you are the coolest person ever and want to be your friend. Only one volunteer is needed here. When we arrive the kids are usually finishing up an activity, so we help to wrap that up then clean the room. Next, we take the kids outside and play with them. This group especially loves jump rope and wants us to do everything with them. After playing, the kids wash their hands then line up for lunch. We take them to the cafeteria and help to serve them. Once they finish we send them to brush their teeth, then it’s time for naps! To my surprise, this group of kids actually went to sleep fairly easily as I patted their backs or scratched their heads. The kids sleep peacefully for the remainder of our time at ministry.
Station 3: The InBetween Room (age group 4-5)
This station is my favorite. The kids are old enough to connect with you, but young enough to just be lovey and sweet rather than trying to test you. Only one volunteer is needed here. As soon as we arrive we take these kids outside and play on the playground. They absolutely love the big slide and go down every way possible and even some ways that I didn’t think were possible. Next we go back inside for some structured learning time, usually a worksheet of some kind. Then the kids get to play with toys, puzzles, and legos for a little, in this time the kids really struggle with sharing. Next is circle time where all the kids sit on the floor as the teacher goes over the month, day, and weather with them. After that we help them wash their hands and take them to the cafeteria for lunch. After they finish and we wash their hands and help them brush their teeth, it’s time for us to head home.
Station 4: The Nursery/Babies (age group 3mo – 3yrs)This station is full of the cutest and cuddliest kids. Two volunteers are needed here. When we arrive the kids are working on arts and crafts, or at least attempting to. After that, we clean up and play with the babies. Then it’s quickly time to wash their hands and take them to lunch! There are two small babies who we spoon feed, but the others messily feed themselves. After lunch we clean them up and brush their teeth then head back to the class room for nap time. Nap time with the babies is the best. We lay out pads and blankets and each kid lies down. The teacher turns on lullabies that are the tune of worship music. Our job is to sit with the kids who have trouble falling asleep and rub their backs or scratch their heads until they fall asleep. I cannot think of a more calming time then to have babies cuddled on either side of you while humming worship songs. We continue comforting the sleeping babies until it’s time to leave.
Station 5: The Kitchen (all the age groups)
This station is a whooooooole lot of dish washing. Two volunteers are needed here. When we first arrive the cooks are usually just about finished preparing the lunch, so we start with washing and drying the pots, pans, and cutting boards they used to cook. Then, for a change, we get to help serve the first lunch. After that, it’s straight washing dishes for about 2 and a half hours. Lunch, usually rice and beans and a meat of some kind, is served in a small bowl with a cup of juice. After the first lunch, we wash every single bowl and cup as the cooks serve the second lunch. It works like clock work, we clean and dry then hand the bowl off to get filled with food again. Just as we finish washing the last bowl and cup, the cycle starts all over again as that lunch ends. It sounds pretty awful, but it’s actually really nice. You get to have some great conversation with your teammate and the cooks are pretty hilarious, especially as we use sign language and point all over to try and understand each other.
A typical day looks like each member of my team going to a station. However, sometimes the ministry host has extra things for us to do like fold clothes that were donated, type up paperwork for her, or even painting the sidewalk. Ministry is very scheduled and structured, but we never get bored or tired of what we are doing since it does differ from day to day. For the two weeks we have been working with this ministry, I have already fallen in love with kids in each age group and eagerly look forward to ministry each day.
