Where do I begin?    I arrived almost two weeks ago and it is so amazing!!  While touring the grounds on my first day - and picture beige domes which make up our compound or village which is enclosed by a secure gate - we were touring the hospice and specifically the baby unit.  We walked in and all of a sudden, all these little ones came crawling out of nowhere!  I quickly bent down and scooped up one little one and placed him on my knee, and then scooped up another little girl and placed her on my other knee.  Unfortunately I did not scoop up a little boy who was not pleased with me, and he quickly chomped on my knee giving me quite a startle and leaving me with a full impression of his teeth!  I am on the watch for him every time I enter the unit.

The village is situated in the middle of local suburbia and is run by the Rev. Corine McClintock who is an incredible woman.  She founded this hospice in her home back in 1992 and has successfully managed the growth where today there are over 230 residents.  I believe this is the first aids village in the world, which is nonprofit and is fully reliant on donations.  The motto is "Get up and Live" and they live it well.

I was asked to assist with the babies and unfortunately when I arrived, we had five babies in the hospital at one time - can you imagine?  When a baby or child is in the hospital, a care worker from the home will be present with the child to ensure they are being taken care of, just like a mother would be with her child if in the hospital.  So I have been loving some of the most beautiful little babies - holding them, feeding them, changing nappies, changing sheets, and just being with them.  And the good news is that all are back home except one little one who we hope to have home very soon. 

Back at the home, I am able to visit the baby unit throughout the day and assist with feeding and entertaining.  Oh they are so cute!  We have one little one who is quite stubborn and so frail - she has little arms and legs that look like sticks and can not sit up on her own.  She doesn't like to be touched by those she does not know and she lets you know it.  I was so excited when just this week she let me touch thumbs with her - a loving gesture where you touch thumbs and twist them apart and say "sharp", although it sounds like shhaaarrp!  She waves her hands, claps her hands, and blows kisses - those just melt my heart!  And there is one little one who loves to dance, you just clap your hands and she is on, so very cute.  There are two tiny babies that weigh absolutely nothing and feeding them is a very slow process.  As you can imagine, one is cuter than the next and it is something very special to be with them.

We have a toddler unit where the babies will graduate to - they are adorable, and then a Kresch (sure I am misspelling this word) which is similar to a preschool.  The rest of our children are in school and return home around 1.30pm.  Following lunch, we have rooms set up to assist the children with their homework.  I assist if there is a need, or there is a great library and will have the children read or read with them.  And then we play games - frisbee, board games or whatever.  They love the attention and I really enjoy the one on one, however that is probably the biggest challenge. 

This week our children have the week off from school so we will be very busy with activities to have something special for them.  We have movies scheduled, ice skating, laser tag, go carting and a play.

And on Saturdays we have sleepovers where we invite four children to stay with the volunteers, which are myself and one other.  It is something special for them and us, and we rotate to give everyone a sleepover.  Last week it was the boys so tonite it will be the girls.  We are making homemade pizza, crust and all.  Thank you for all your prayers and continued support - the children and I greatly appreciate it! 

Comments

[Yui Chan]

Well, it's about time you checked in with an update my dear! I'm really liking that little guy who took a chomp at your knee - too funny! Maybe he thought you were a giant "fat cake"! Ha ha! Sounds like you really have your hands full, but you are so loving it! Yay!