Hola

It's hard to keep updating the blog every week because I keep forgetting what I've done! Our days are so packed with little bits 'n' pieces rather than big events. I'm going to have to buy a diary to help me keep track of my days. I wish I'd brought my filofax, right shaz?! haha

Last Saturday I was sick in the morning and couldn't do the apoyo escolar (homework club) at the community centre. We all went yesterday and it was just as well because the regular teacher didn't turn up. So we just let the kids on in and took the class ourselves. We hadn't anything prepared because we'd expected the other teacher to be there so we could only encourage them with their homeworks and try to keep under control those who apparently had no work to do. There were only 6 kids so it wasn't too stressful. Next week we'll come prepared with colouring in or puzzles for those with no work.

On Tuesday night Hannah and I took our first English class at the community centre. I've no teaching experience although I have a TEFL qualification from a 40 hour online course I did - this did not prepare me! haha People often think that to teach English the only skill you need is to be a native speaker but this is not the case, there's a lot more to it! As chalklenging as I found it, (and as much as I played the classroom assistant under Hannah who has experience, confidence and no stupid N.Irish accent to deal with..!) I'd never felt more alive! haha how cheesy does that sound?! But I loved it and have been looking forward to next week's class ever since. The class was advertised to be 7-8.30pm but in typical Bolivian- style the students arrived at 7.45pm so we started at 8 and taught until 9. There were 8 students all of different ages and levels and all from the surrounding barrio.
One of the students is called Winder. He's the only one of the students we knew before the class and he's 'supercool'! He another leader of the holiday bible club that we've been planning together. He's a christian who attends Marcos's church in the centre. He actually lives with his 2 brothers and his mother in the centre grounds. As you've gathered from previous posts and photos, theft is a huge problem here. Despite the graphic deterents and the high metal fences surrounded each property, the leave the centre empty each night would be unthinkable. So, this lady lives in a little house out the back of the centre as a sort of care-taker of the property. Marcos can't afford to pay her a wage but providing her and her family this place to live free of charge is her payment.

On Thursday night we had another planning meeting for the holiday bible club. We had dinner together and got the chance to get to know each other a bit better. There are only 8 of us including us girls and Marcos, then Winder (21), Milly (30), Emma (14) and Ramundo (16). During the night, Marcos told us more about how him and Gwen ended up in this barrio, and some events that happened. This community centre is completely run on faith. They aren't supported by any charity or organisation, nor do they have a build up of funds to work through. They simply take each day at a time and see what they can do with what they've got. It's incredible. I really encourage you to follow their progress, find out more about them, get in touch, support them, check out their blog..

I'm beginning to feel that the more time I spend at this community centre on the outskirts of the city, the more time I want to spend there. I love it, I really feel something special each time I'm there. Tonight we went out there again because the community church's service on Sunday evenings is always held in somebody's house, and this week it was in the home of a couple we had visited last week with Marcos. You wouldn't believe the place they live.. they have quite a large piece of ground, with just a little brick shed in the corner, like one or two rooms. The size of a car garage. And tonight the church of about 25 kids and 15 adults met around a campfire in their garden with Winder playing guitar - the only musician. I have never seen a church that is such as a family as these guys are. Being invited there to join with them was such an honour and each of us, me, Hannah and Lois all loved it so much. I can't even express how I feel about this church, this centre, this group of people.. everyone I've met here.. I just absolutely love it. I would like my Spanish to reach a level (asap) from which I could properly converse and get to know the guys more and be able to create proper relationships. I would ask that you pray for this for me as I'm struggling a bit with the language at times and I become frustrated with myself.
This Wednesday coming is San Juan which is a national holiday and a pretty big deal. It's supposed to be the coldest night of the year. The community church is meeting again in the same place around a bonfire again, so we'd love to go there for that!

We've been in touch with a volunteer who is working at Free Hands, which is the organisation supporting disadvantaged women and thier children, most of whom are freed or on probation from the women's prison in Cochabamba. They've moved premises and we visited the new cafe which is much bigger and better than the previous. Also there is an adjoining unit which will soon open as the shop from where they'll sell their handicrafts. We're going to arrange to meet with the volunteer, Laura, this coming week to see if there is any aspect of the project that we can help with.

Also we will be visiting El Refugio (The Refuge)- a home for disadvantaged girls and boys who come from either living on the streets or from abusive or neglective families. My Bolivian friend Julio works here as a psychologist hoping to provide the help these kids need. So on Friday he will show us around and introduce us in the home so that the following week we will volunteer in the afternoons and do some activities as it's the school holidays soon so the kids will be in the home all day everyday with not much to do! Any ideas for activities with these guys would be welcomed.

Ok that's all my news for now..
Thanks for reading, leave a comment if ya like..sometimes I think I'm writing to nobody on here..
:o) hasta proxima vez... chausitos x