We found we had lots of extra time when volunteering only at El Bichito. The kids arrive around 1 PM and usually leave around 3 PM every day. We decided to see what other opportunities for service we could find in the city. After many phone calls and emails, we were granted permission to volunteer at an orphanage nearby. The orphanage has about sixty kids. There are six little houses with a house-mom (an employee who lives there 24 hours a day, six days a week) and about ten kids to each house. Though the orphanage is run down and requires much assistance from the government and non-profit organizations, the kids are able to have their physical needs met. However, we found that after the kids return from school, they don't really have anything to do and they don't have much supervision. Many kids sit around and watch TV. Many small children wander around unsupervised. A lot of bullying goes on between the children. Some children are at the orphanage because they don't have anyone to take care of them. Others are there to be protected from abusive family situations. We just started volunteering at the orphanage a few days ago, but we have loved playing with the kids in the afternoon for a few hours. The kids are so darling and I just want to adopt them all!
The orphanage is in the process of opening up a library there with the assistance of a non-profit organization and an awesome volunteer from California named Emily. In order to get the library ready for the children, all the books that have been donated need to be covered with plastic to protect them. I have spent my mornings this week helping to cover the books. In a couple weeks when the library is ready, there is going to be a little celebration at the orphanage with a drama presentation by some of the kids and some snacks. We are excited!
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