Criamar (10/09/2011)

Long time since my last Criamar visit -

I missed the kids so much. Matheus and Rodrigo (who are brothers: 3 and 5 years old, respectively, and my favorites) looked beautiful and all grown-up. The other kids were ignoring us at first. That's because we had decided not to go there the passed two weeks, since the children were not cleaning up their rooms and court AND were skipping classes. We became very disappointed and talked to all of them today while we were there. We explained why we did not visit them the past saturdays and asked if they understood/had something to say. They seemed uneasy but got the message. Federico, a friend who joined us at Criamar today, donated some clothes to the kids. By the end of the day, they looked happy and thanked him :)

I am starting a tutoring program in both institutions (Criamar and CDM) to help out the children, especially after this incident in Criamar of them missing school. I am going to sit down with each kid, listen to them and identify strengths/ weaknesses and work with them to improve needy areas. I am really excited to start this project and think I will learn a great amount with them, and know they will also learn from me. This mutual experience will only enrich our bond in Criamar and CDM.

Eva, Matheus, Rodrigo, Igor, Larissa, Guilherme, Gabriel, Jajá, Felipe, Rafaela and all the other kids went to say bye to us as we left, and I look forward for next saturday to see them all again! (Especially my 2 sweethearts!!)