Meeting the Parents

How do you act around their parents, knowing what you know? How do you approach them, knowing what they've done? How can you refuse to meet them, when being ushered over for an introduction by a beautiful 3 year old?

The answer to all the above is simple. You don't refuse. You walk over, say Hello, sitdown and listen as the children talk away excitedly, just happy to see their parents. You may not like it and it may be uncomfortable, but you do it anyway knowing that you are making the children that you look after smile. A lot of the children at the refuge you were very young when they were abused or neglected, and although they've been affected by what they've experienced, their parents are their parents and there will always be a bond there. The children don't have to see their parents when they visit as it is not compulsory, however they rarely opt out. I know Christian (3) of whom this blog is based around has once refused a visit from his mother. (I'm not completely sure, but I think his father is currently in prison). Christian is one of 4, he has a beautiful but extrememly cheeky older sister Diana, and two younger siblings Allisia (2) and Francisco (9 months). All were in a very bad way when they arrived having been completely starved and Allisia had been the family punch bag, which would explain her extremely small size.

Whether the family couldnt afford to feed the children or it was just a sad case of neglegence, you can understand my predicament, when faced with meeting their mother. Do you feel angry or do you pity her? Is it really any of your business?

I simply smiled, introduced myself told her her children were beautiful, for which she thanked me. All the time I watched her and thought to myself that, she is missing her amazing babies grow up because she couldn't take care of them. I said goodbye and with her 2 year old daughter in my arms, walked away, but couldn't help feeling a little sorry for her. How hard it must be to watch other people raise your children, something she will have to live with for the rest of her life, is knowing that she isn't fit to look after them. I'm just glad I have met this lovely little family. They really are amazing.

Surfing Mexico - Wednesday 17th November 2010

After 3 weeks stuck in one place, partaking in the same routine; up, work, home beach, everyday, you find yourself comparing your trip away to normal working life back home; up, work, home, no beach! The weather is far better here, as is the commute to my lovely new job, but the routine is the same, and there are only so many new things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The means of entertainment are similar to back in London; Cinema, Eating out, Clubbing, Drinking. However one of the reasons I chose to come to Mexico was for the surfing. Having been a few times at home, I'm determined to make it a regular sport of choice. Warm weather, warm water and great waves make it a great place to learn how to really surf.

Situated just up the coast from Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit is Sayulita. A small hippy chic town host to a beautiful long white sandy beach adorned by lots of surf hire and rental stores. Having done my research before flying over, Wildmex was my school of choice, and I'm very glad I chose it. Not only were the staff really welcoming, they're all extremely good surfers and just as keen to make all their pupils learn the same skills. Having been surfing before I was able to stand, but I always want to learn more, and couldn't wait to get stuck into a lesson. Told completely different things to what I was taught in Cornwall, we headed from our beach lesson into the sea. Sayulita has a point and beach break, seeing as myself and Isabelle aren't experience enough to tackle the point break just yet, we are taken to the beach break. Both of us standing up first time, we took wave after wave under the watchful eye of our Canadian born instructor Mike. Typical looking surfer; weathered with beach blond hair and a personality of a 20 year old, Mike who must be in his 40's is living any beach boys dream. Having finished our 2 hour lesson we headed back up the beach, and booked another lesson for Friday. Both buzzed if a little cut up by our first lesson we couldn't wait for Friday, but we should have clocked the fact that booking a 10am lesson knowing we'd be out the night before wasn't the wisest of ideas. Friday was very unsuccessful, and to make matters worse, the full moon made the sea act crazy. The sets were big, as was the self inflicted nausea. Not only that but we learnt the reason they instructors tell you to paddle out all the time, is due to the bottom of the sea being littered with sting ray and puffer fish. Wave after wave, and crashing into sand bank after sand back, made hangover surfing a sport I would highly NOT recommend.

Our first surf tour starts next week and I can't wait. Punta Mita is our next beach, which we've been told is a little tougher, but nothing we can't handle. Thank God I can swim :D

xBx

Sundy 31st October - First Day at Work

My day started at 7am (well 6am, I didn't put my clock back)! I'm a morning person so this was not early for me, although the cold showers which I am now used to are not the most welcoming accompaniment to a dawn raid. After a bowl of Fruit Loops and a microwaved cup of coffee in our less than hygienic kitchen, we headed for the bus; Centro for town and Tunel for work. Taking the Tunel bus we headed to the refuge situated in a barrio overlooking the Zona Romantica. Buses here are not the most comfortable, and the locals are usually suspect as to why you are riding the bus, but it's cheap and really quick way to get around. At only 6.50pesos (30p) a journey, it beats taking a cab.

Once at the refuge we were greeted by an armed officer (woman), and 2 girls in their early teens. The officers that work in the refuge are very warm and friendly and are there for the children's safety as well as the staffs. After locking away our belongings Linda showed us around. We headed up to the babies and toddlers 9 months-2/3 years, who quickly ran up to us with arms wide open, beckoning for cuddles. Cheeky smiles and chubby hands makes not giving them a hug extremely tricky. Joel a rather chunky little boy with a constant smile on his face gave me a big squidge and went on his way (it was love at first sight). In little toy cars (Christian y Jasiel) were quick to start using my legs as a bridge to drive through for their entertainment, harem pants are not the best attire for this kind of play. The children kept getting stuck in all the lose material.

We proceeded to the nursery where we found 9 month Francisco all alone, who started to cry as soon as we went in. As he is so small and the other children can be quite boisterous with their affections, it's easier to keep in his cot, although he does sometimes get left out a little. A beautiful baby, Francisco is the youngest of a family of 6 who recently arrived at the refuge.

Once acquainted with the babies, we headed down to the courtyard. An large open space with a basketball net is surrounded by large arches that make up the outdoor corridor on the bottom floor of the refuge and lots of greenery. A climbing frame and swing set for the peques (3-6) is found towards the back of the courtyard up a small flight of stairs. The area is really beautiful, and the building has come a very long way since the development in 2001. The older children are enjoying music (two men come every Sunday and play pipes and guitar) and Halloween gift bags from the day before received at their Halloween party. Sunday at the refuge is a day of mass, sweets and play for the children that have been at school during the week. For the babies and children who don't go to school, each day is pretty much routine; Wake up, breakfast, play, lunch, laundry, play, dinner, washing, bed. The nannies and Madres take great care of the children, they just can't be around to entertain them all of the time, that's where volunteers come in. We help keep the children occupied and help with laundry, tidying and meal times.

My first day at the refuge was really great. So many children with so little structure however, creates a constant playground atmosphere in which the players never tire, equating to volunteers never being empty handed or without little people wanting attention. David a lovely 7 year old, living with down syndrome needs more attention than the others and can be tricky at times, but he's extremely intelligent and can be left alone as he always finds something to do. The other children really love him, and from what I know, he is the only child that has been abandoned. Every other child has been placed in care by the social services.

Preparing a lunch of tortillas filled with ham and tomato broth allowed me to become more acquainted with the kitchen staff and Sylvia, a young but extremely well organised and no nonsense nanny. The children don't put a foot out of place when she is around to watch them, and i actually admire her ability to keep them in such good control.

After clearing away after lunch and mopping the floors, I knew I had made the right decision in coming to volunteer here in Mexico. I enjoyed every intense minute of my day and couldn't wait to get stuck in again, already I felt at home working at the refuge.

http://www.childrens-shelter-of-hope-foundation.org/

Loving Mexico

So much to say, but so little time. Mexico is proving to be a beautiful place. Work at the refuge is extremely rewarding. Very tough, but really great. The children are wonderful.

I have so many stories, and I am writing them down, but it's tricky to find time with work to sit here and type them all up! I promise to get them on here soon.

Just know that it's amazing here...and more blogs are around the corner!

xBx

Sounds of Mexico...

On Saturday I was able to see more of Puerto Vallarta. Since arriving here in Mexico everything has been a bit of a surreal blur. It still hadn't sunk in that my random plan of discovery had actually become reality. The house is pleasant and charming but without warm water, and a less than clean kitchen, which makes preparing meals a tricky task. However getting a bus to Zona romantica and walking along Los Muertos beach with our coordinator Linda made everything seem more real; The heat, the sea, the jungle covered mountains. Having sampled traditional beach food and drink on offer, as well as Linda offering only to speak to me in Spanish to get my language up to scratch, I truly felt I was in a different world.

What a place to find yourself.

Having heard nothing positive from our co-volunteers, Jonathan and I were a little worried about going to work the following day, Linda managed to assure us it was a lovely place it just wasn`t run to the standard it could really benefit from. She also told us that it wasn't an orphange, it wasn`t a children`s shelter for abused and neglected children, which would explain maybe why the other girls in the house were finding the children slightly trickier than they were expecting.

Linda explained how the staff at the orphanage are on very little money, and she herself has moved to a Barrio, with no gas and expensive rent so she can help to run the shelter and offer the children more structure. Originally from Italy, she trys very hard to make things work, with little affect. It seems here you have to earn respect before you can manage to get anyone to help out. I had no idea how hard it would be trying to get the children to listen and share, but I was about to find out.

Mexico Introduction....

Impulse: A notion only few put into action. To act on a whim without thought or care of what consequences ones actions may or may not have.

A month ago, on a whim I booked a trip to Mexico, and 4 days ago I found myself on board a Boeing 777 crossing the Atlantic. With hours to kill, I finally took the time to think about what I was actually doing.

I'm leaving my loved ones for a once in a lifetime trip. I am embarking on a journey of self discovery, leaving my comfort zone and going to volunteer at an "orphanage" and care for children with less than myself.

I should have been desperately excited on my flight, but I was nervous and desperately sad at the thought of not being able to spend Christmas with my family and loved ones. However I embraced my sadness and realised I was blessed to have a family that I care so much about, and I would be very much needed where I was going. I found solace in the thought that I could offer care and love to Children who don't receive the attention they deserve.

I am aware of all I have, and I am aware that I take things for granted. I knew now that this trip would be a great way to open my eyes to the things that truly matter, to appreciate more my family and live with less cares about superficial possessions.

This is my Mexico journey. Enjoy.....