Day 3 - Asfiya

El Primero Dia en Casa Esperanza


Today our group had the priveledge of going to Casa Esperanza. The morning was cool, we were all a little sleepy and somewhat ready to play with the children in our semi-formal attire. After a taste of Monday morning rush hour we arrived at the small but colorful house where the children were dilegently practicing mathematics and writing the alphabet.

I am not sure why, but I felt so awkward at first and was afraid that my time there would not match my expectations and be a repeat of the “hot springs” we visited yesterday. After a short introduction as the kids timidly told us their names, we began to slowly break the ice. I was walking around trying to find someone to entertain and after a while I gave up, sat down and watched my classmates and teachers stepping outside of their comfort zones when I realized a quiet girl was sitting next to me doing the same, while biting her nails--she looked the way I felt. In a few short minutes, I was learning to play Liga-China with Dani, Aneida, and Maria. I didn’t have the guts to try it myself, but the girls proudly showcased their skill and I was happy to watch.

I loved being able to practice my Spanish with the children, even though it was hard to understand their accents at times. I was surprised to learn that some of them were of the Embera tribe we had visited and lived in Darien. After playing Liga-China in the sun, we went sat in the shade while I re-learned how to play Jacks and remembered how bad I am at that game.

There were no gameboys or gadgets (aside from Mr. Lucien’s Iphone) and the children seemed happy. There were no complaints, aside from a quiet “tengo hambre” as lunchtime approached, and I felt that these children were luckier than children back home in some way. Then again, were were barely able to arrive at any solid conclusions about their lives after spending such a short amount of time there.

Aneida wanted me to take pictures of her with everyone of us while Dani braided my hair. I was having a great time until one of the boys, David, asked me if we were coming back everyday for the rest of the week. I didn’t have the heart to say no, so I lied and said that I didn’t know.

After visiting Casa Esperanza, we took a tour of a local polyclinic. Though they were short on resources, the staff seemed to be doing the best job possible and had an honest interest in helping their patients as much as possible. The thing that stands out in my mind is the physical therapist telling us that they were only able to treat patients that could make it up the stairs. To me, this was the perfect example of how something that we are so used to having in our facilities at hom can become a serious limitation elsewhere.

Overall, my day was good. I am really proud of myself, my classmates and teachers for stepping outside of their comfort zone, having so much zest for this service project, and taking in these experiences as one should, with an open mind and heart.