Joel's Journal

There are many sibling groups at CSC.  Presently we have groups of two, three, four, six, and nine.  Many of the older brothers and sisters in these sibling groups cared for their younger siblings before they came to the shelter.  There are also many children without siblings here, but this does not mean they have noone to look after them.  The older children do a good job of helping the younger ones feel at home at CSC.  Each of the resident houses house about 30 children at a time.  Within these houses there are big brothers and sisters to look out for the younger ones.  During the summer the roles played by each child become more noticeable.  The children have more time to spend as they please.  It can be pleasantly surprising to see who is helping the aunties with the babies.

The workers and staff give care, support, and love to the children.  The children also provide care, support, and love for each other. 

It is great to have Work Teams here!  Cherry Hills Church in Denver, Colorado sent another work team this summer.  Most of the activities revolved around biking.  The team took four different groups biking through the week they were at CSC.  The kids' abilities on a bicycle ranged from riding in traffic and up mountains to pedaling for the first time.  We are happy to report the only mishap was Jeffrey tipping over into a bush as he stopped because he is too short to touch the ground!  His size did not stop him from riding all over the place. 

Biking was not the only thing the work team did with the kids.  The team's week at CSC actually started with an afternoon full of games and fun at the shelter.  Later in the week they took most of the bigger kids on an adventure outing which included hiking to a waterfall, a great lunch of grilled chicken and pork, swimming in the ocean off a boat and at a beach.  There was a movie outing for all the special needs kids.  Think of four wheelchairs rolling into the new Narnia movie.  The kids were thrilled!  Bowling with the Teen Home kids went late into the evening with lots of laughs had by all and several strikes and spares earned by some.

Nearly all the kids were able to do something special with the work team.  The willingness of the the team to do some many activities with the kids in one week was amazing!

Check out the new Construction Pictures in the album "Construction 6.19"

Evenings at the shelter have a different feel in the summer.  With no homework to do and no class the following day the free evenings are filled with games, TV, and general silliness.  Like nearly all kids, the CSC kids really like to watch TV.  We have to limit the TV watching to four nights per week.  What is there to do besides watching TV?  WHAT IS THERE TO DO?!  There is basketball, fuss ball, tag, ping pong, dancing, talking the friends...During the summer the kids go outside many evenings to play.  For me those have been some of the best times this summer.  The grounds are filled with the sounds of kids playing, and enjoying every second of it.  A couple evenings some of the teachers have stayed to join in the fun with the kids.

I have not decided if in the evenings I enjoy joining the fun more or simply watching the kids pour out the last bits of energy and joy for the day.  I am glad I do not have to decide.  I have do both.

Paula is the most recent kid to come to CSC.  She is 10 years old and is fitting right in.  The other kids do a great job of helping new kids adjust to and learn the ins and outs of life at CSC.  Mariemea, Angel, and Sheila May have taken Paula under their wings making it their responsibility to show their new friend the ropes.  

When I saw Paula today the first thing she said (after saying "Hello") was, "Cake lami kaayo." ("Cake is very delicious.")  There was a joint birthday party last night for Jeffrey, who turned 8, and Mitch, CSC's Executive Director.  Each birthday celebrant had a cake and tug of ice cream for sharing with everyone.  While talking with Paula it quickly came out that that cake was the first cake she had ever tasted! 

The school year has come to an end and summer vacation has begun.  Between live broadcasts for banquets and school recitals the kids spent a lot of time performing their musical numbers they have been working on for months.  The graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday with Juancho, Rodrigo, Sheena, Wilmar, and Rafael finishing preschool and Analiza graduating from grade 6.  Now it is time for fun all day long.  The kids 10 years old and up were allowed to choice a summer activity to participate in.  Their choices were badminton, swimming, volleyball, and cooking.  The badminton class already started.  These activities are a good chance for the CSC kids to meet and interact with other kids.  The business of the summer schedule as begun.