gotta love ugandan children

the children of uganda are inspiring. they are independant, strong, agile little people who care for themselves and others like no other children i have ever met before. it's as if there is an upspoken social code that teaches these children to care for anyone smaller than themselves. for these reasons, working at the daycare has become one of the highlights of each week. i look forward to the days i get to spend playing with, teaching, and learning from the children at the center.

i'm currently spending mondays, tuesdays and fridays at the daycare center. we have structured activities in the morning (i.e. crafts, storytime, writing and mathematics), offer a limited but adequate lunch (i.e. african tea, buns and fruit), and have general play each afternoon. the facility consists of a tent (approximately 20x15ft.) with 2 benches and a large grassy area equipped with 4 swings, a merry-go-round, a teater-totter, and 2 slides. materials and supplies are also limited but adequate since 95% of the time the children graciously share everything amongst themselves.

since i began my work at the center i have had some opportunities to chat with parents, guardians and older siblings of children who use the service. everyone expresses their great appreciation for the daycare and their gratitude for my contribution to the service. at times i do not feel as though i have a wealth of knowledge or experience to bring to the daycare since i am not trained in early childhood education or other related services. however i do have love and compassion that i bring with me each day, and i am beginning to understand that this is enough.

each day as i walk onto the hospital grounds i here the children calling my name from the center which is located at the top of a hill. they wave with excitement as i make my way up to them and run for me once i reach their location. they love to hold my hands, stand near me, feel my skin as different from theirs, and investigate everything about me. i do anything from pushing them on the swings, teaching them games, to comforting them when they are upset. it truly amazing to witness the lives of these children. they have so many challenges to face in life yet they are so happy and thankful for the lives they have been given. i only hope to grow to love life as much as they do, and to always remember their beautiful smiling faces.

thanks for listening. till next time...

-rachel-