Tuesday, February 2, 2010

My first day at Millenium House





Yesterday I spent my first work session at Millenium House for Amizade here in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The pictures I have posted are the most sanitized I could find. After two and half hours, I was totally spent. There are about 35 children, most of them 3 yrs old and younger. Although staffed by, I think, no more than three young ladies under 20 years old, it is an incredible how much these people are able to accomplish. The city through the federal govenment provides 75 cents a day for only a few children, enough to buy one glass of milk. The rest of the resouces require donations. For those of you who have had or presently have little children, will understand. Supplies are totally inadequate. Each child gets one diaper for the day and one for night. There is only one washing machine for all the clothing. To say the least, I have been in better smelling places, but every attempt is made to keep the children as clean as possible.
I played with a number of the children shown above, swinging them around, making faces and drawing their portraits. In one regard though, I soon learned I had to change my approach. For those that know me,they will not be surprised to learn the first thing I did was to give a boy my cap. He wore it proudly and considered himself Mr Special. Later, when Iwanted to retrieve it, since it was my only one and I've worn it throughout the trip, I was reminded that I best wash it first, since many children have head lice. I go back later today for another shift. It is so gripping. I find myself in a guarded control mode. I have raised children and loved them dearly, but yesterday I had to cope with an atmosphere where there is so much need. I wrote an article weeks ago about the difficulty of genuinely feeling for others. Yesterday my senses went on overload, I acted almost mechanically. I did a lot and acted "as if".

7 comments:

  1. It's almost inevitable that you would go on overload and act mechanically under the circumstances you describe, but it's to your credit that at least you were able to do that! I probably wouldn't have handled the situation nearly as well. I imagine I would have frozen up and become paralyzed...an unfortunate tendency I have when I become overwhelmed.

    This post is pretty overwhelming in itself. Right now I'm connecting it in my mind with another of your recent posts about all the unfinished houses and apartment buildings you've seen on your travels. There seems to be a regrettable tendency on the part of both government agencies and private charities to start projects with great fanfare and even a reasonable amount of funding--enough to start the project anyway--but then not to follow through. What is most needed, of course, is a serious commitment for the long haul.

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  2. Great post as always, Lee, and I can imagine the multitude of feelings you're having to deal with right now. It's difficult sometimes to comprehend when you've come from such a different environment. Take care. Looking forward to the next post and pictures -- love the ones today.

    Sylvia

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  3. The kids are adorable and your post was poignant. I can imagine you brought smiles to some faces. Is there a direct way to donat? Maybe some of your readers would want to send something to help out.

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  4. Ah..Lee, you warm my heart with your writing. How overwhelming this must be for you and how you will be touched and they also! A great post and am looking forward to learn how the rest of your day goes. Also, I just read tapirgal comment and it sounds like a great idea if possible!!

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  5. Thanks for another great post Lee. To tapirgal and kyungmee and any interested others, I direct www.amizade.org, the organization Lee is working with and through. We do accept donations for the orphanage where Lee is serving. They can be made online here: http://amizade.org/store/donations.html by clicking "Bolivia's Millennium Cradle House." Many, many thanks to anyone who chooses to donate to support the children at the orphanage.

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  6. Sweet and sad at the same time. Having a friend who spent much of her young life in an orphanage in Arizona I hear what you are saying. Don't get too mechanical--Kids sense that. They need a real person if only for a short while. MB

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  7. Such honesty in relaying your observations and feelings is very hard to read these days. Bravo, Lee. The kids are darling.

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