It was now the start of my proper weeks volunteering and it started off with a visit to the baby orphanage. Once we got out of the car we were drowned with hugs and kisses from all the kiddies, such joy on their faces because they knew what our presence meant = PLAY TIME, food and sweeties! The reactions on their faces alone is one I will always treasure. I then was brought into another room with a much different ambiance.....BABIES ranging from just 4 days old to 18mths. They were all just adorable sleeping in their cots or lying on the mats and within seconds their carers hurdles 3 month old twins into my arms. I was a little nervous at first because it has been a while since I handled anything that small, but I couldn't get over how much tougher they were compared to Western babies and I didnt feel like I would brake them if I cuddled them too much! Nyung then explained to us that the other night the security found a 4 day old baby left at the gate during the night so she was now asleep in the cot. I was shocked and appalled but apparently its quite the norm over here. I just cant comprehend how someone could go through 9 mths of carrying the baby and labour to only abandon it at 4 days old. I suppose their life is just so much different to ours back home and maybe they thought they would have a better life as in the orphanage they get fed, looked after and get an education. I then fed the little baby and called her baby Grace, shes just beautiful. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera with me so I cant show you her but I will next time!
I then went to teach at the community school and I must say it was a little daunting walking into a classroom with kids sitting down, copies and pens out and saying "good evening teacher, how are you?" I looked behind me expecting to see a serious Vietnamese teacher following me but no they were in fact talking to me!! yikes!!......Ms.Morrissey.........I think I could get used to that!! So I thought it would be a good idea to kick off my lesson with a little naming song so I could get to know the kids names, the kids seemed to enjoy it and we all did a little action to describe ourselves. Could not have done it without my translator though. I then thought them some new words by playing a matching card game and they learnt so many words like cake, pencil, sun etc, I was so proud. And then nothing like a bit of bingo and hangman to finish off an awesome lesson!
From teaching the abc's to the kindies I then went with another volunteer to teach the leacturer's at a university.........eeek!! was a daunting concept but they were all very easy going and we just went through different cultures and gave them a little quiz and then done a role play. They were really eager to know more about the Irish culture and I must admit I had to bluff some!!!
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