I had a hard time choosing a best buddy this month at Sarah’s Covenant Home.
A best buddy is the child that each volunteer focuses on for a couple of hours each day, giving one-on-one attention and love, and taking them out on a few fun excersions such as the beach. After we spend time with our best buddy we play with all of the kids in our foster home.
I just wanted to be a best buddy to a child who usually didn’t get one or who just really needed some extra lovin’. I just didn’t know. After the rest of my team chose theirs through some deliberation, I still didn’t know. Carrie asked me if I was interested in Sophia, a little girl who is frightened by us foreigners. I hadn’t even met her, I think she must have had naps when I went to that room.
I said yes! I just want to work with one who needs it, and Sophia seemed like the perfect choice. I knew it could be a very hard time if she would always be crying when I tried to be near her but I was excited to get started!
The next day I met Sophia. She is adorable! I took it slow, trying to play but not get too close. One of the Ayah’s (a woman whose job is to care for the kids) started getting Sophia to clap. Now we had a common interest! I played percussion for 7 years in school. I started clapping and patting the floor. Then we went outside and sat with the other best buddies. She still wasn’t crying!
The next day started about the same. I grabbed a rattle and a toy with sound and we played. We patted the ground some more and she started patting my hand sometimes. I decided to try to hold her at this point. I put her on my lap and started singing and we patted my leg. We sat this way for quite a while and then our time was up for the day.
Yesterday we had a great time. She was a little fussy at first but I figured out what she really liked. The whooshing and “falling” game where I drop down a few inches while holding her. She giggled so much! I just love her smile.
Meet Sophia
http://schindia.com/children/sophia/
