Our first visits were to Tierra de Hombres, which is essentially a pre-school for 2-6 year olds. These are some really little kids (I felt like a vertiable giant most of the day, even among adults) who really like being tossed in the air. That's what Rob and I did for a lot of the time we were there. While the facilities are clean and well-loved, it is hard to describe how different they are from those of our pre-school. The building sits on a fault line and is literally falling into the ground. No one is certain how long it will stand.
We had a chance to enjoy a snack with these little tikes. Rob and I barely fit onto the chairs. After some crying about our departure it was off to the Refugio, because by this time most of the kids were done with school for the day. I'm hard pressed to describe how it feels to be among these children. I doubt the king or queen of England would receive a more enthusiastic welcome. from nearly the time you enter until the time you leave two or three or four or five kids are hanging off of you. They want to be hugged and hold onto your hand (Rob thinks one little pip was trying slip his wedding band off!), even the boys. Most of the boys are used to men who beat them - it's a unique thing for them to be among grown men who are not drunk, high and trying to beat them. Most sad.
Everyone is pretty clean. The washing machine is an improved version of the rock your great-great-grandmother used, but they have hot water out of a tap now. There are showers and kids make a good practice of washing hands and then brushing teeth after meals (for nearly all, it is the only meal they will eat today). There are opportunities to work on homework (everyone is going to school - thanks to your support) or crafts (this is when the nativities get painted or the bracelets get woven) after dinner. It really is a lively place.
There was a special party in our honor today. The panaeria baked special cakes (eh, it was the thought, really, that counted most) and sang and danced. The kids were excited to get the cake and Anne handed out certificates to kids who had been working in the bakery.
In all it was an amazing thing to see up close and in person. Looking back on this, I'm not certain I really knew what to expect. I'm certain I wasn't ready for the enthusiasm of the welcome (I'm the only first-timer in the group, Suzette, Rob and Anne have all been down before) and I was most impressed with how tidy and clean and orderly everything was. Obviously, the ladies who work tirelessly day in and day out with these kids give it their hearts and souls and in any way of looking at this situation, do a remarkable job. The joy of the kids in the place is palpable and real. It is a refuge in the truest sense of the word.
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