Today was a very difficult day, it was my first full day at the disabled orphanage. Was up at 0630 and caught the combi (packed to the rafters with locals) before arriving at Chakkawassy Orphanage.

I'm at the placement with Jess (from our house), she's just changed placements and it was her first day too.

We arrived and were instructed to look after a group of the more disabled among them. The others were sat down to do homework with the Spanish speaking volunteer and the Manager.

Jess and I had Juan Pablo, a deaf/mentally disabled lad c. 16 yrs old, Daisy c. 10 yrs old, not sure what is wrong with her other than she just sits and stares and pinches! Pilar is c. 15/16 yrs old, she is mentally disabled plus visually impaired. Danny is c. 4-5, has no concentration skills whatsoever and just sits and screams/cries, when you try and comfort him or include him in an activity he then proceeds to try and bite you. Juan Carlos is the other youngster in our care and he just runs riot, is very strong and likes to grab you by the arm or round the neck if you're sat down!

You can imagine that this was a total shock to us, we didnt know exactly what we'd be expected to do but to be put in charge of such children was not expected. We had to take them to the toilet, help them undress/dress and then TRY and get them to wash their hands!

We were given ONE piece of paper for each of them and a drawing of a house that they had to colour...that was it, that was all we had to entertain them from 8am - 2pm!!!!!! There were no games, no extra resource to write on, just 4 pens/crayons. Towards the end of our shift we were asked to take Danny up to the boys orphanage, it needs two people to take him because he doesnt like to walk and promptly sits down at any opportunity. We were given a dry bread roll to tempt him with...so, there we were wandering up a big hill (still struggling cos of the altitude and unable to breathe on inclines!) As he promptly sat down we broke off a piece of bread which encouraged him to his feet and a few more paces! It was a slow process let me tell you!

So....you can appreciate that the day was a difficult one for us both and we arrived back at the house smelling of wee, filthy dirty and exhausted both mentally and physically.

We've just been down to the local shop (which has a limited supply) and bought some paper and some crayons and we'll do some craft stuff with them tomorrow. At the weekend we will head to the Melino market and buy some activities/learning bits and pieces. Its been highlighted that if you just give things to these orphanages they dont always stay there and are distributed round various places, we're unsure if that is the case with Chakkawassy Orphanage so until we know for sure we will just take the activities in with us each day and take them home again after our shift!

I will definitely be on the scrounge for those who want to contribute, its easier to buy things here at the main Melino market than have stuff sent over although I will be asking for bluetac to be sent over as you cant buy that here apparently. Start counting your pennies and seeing what you can spare!!

Although its been a very difficult day I have to say I've loved it. The children sit rocking back and forth in a corner and when you go and interact with them and give them lots of recognition and praise its great to see them smile, laugh and give you a hug (even if some of the hugs are a little too tight!). Some of you would scream at the sight of me singing and dancing in the middle of the room trying to get them up and join me! I've learnt that persistence works and if you continue long enough they do join in!

Tonight is my welcome meal from PoD (the company I'm here with)....I cant tell you how much I'm looking forward to relaxing with a few drinks and having a laugh. It wont tho be a big night cos I'm up at 0630 again tomorrow to do it all over again!

Lots of love to you all

Dawn x