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So, week 2 of volunteering at an orphanage in Costa Rica and I'm exhausted. Kids require so much supervision - especially children with so many issues.
A typical day of volunteering consists of the following: take the 8:20am bus to Rio Jesus, arrive at La Garcita, help prep for lunch (chop veggies, make agua fresca, clean dishes), fold the children's clothing and change nappies. Changing the first nappy was a huge shock to the system. I don't think I've changed a nappy since my friend's baby boy peed in my face when I was attempting to change him 13 years ago!
Feeding takes places several times a day with "almuerzo" quite early at about 11am! Selena (a lovely volunteer from California) and I usually eat lunch together a little bit later. Sometimes Roger (a local student from San Ramon) pops by and brings his guitar or his cellphone and provides additional entertainment to the kids. But, basically, our main role is to keep them on "la maca" (the swing) and stop them from fighting too much. Toddlers don't seem to have reached the stage where they can share anything. Sometimes, I have one kid on my hip and swinging 3 at a time! I don't quite know how "Octomum" does it, but it's totally exhausting!
By the time the afternoon snack comes along, all the volunteers are exhausted and tired and we take a taxi in to town as we don't have the stamina to wait for the 4pm bus.
Usually, I will either go swimming at the local pool and/or go to my Spanish lesson. I seem to be progressing really well and would like to continue with Spanish lessons when I return to London. I walk back to the house and dinner is quite early at about 6:30-7pm. I play with Alison for a while - she teaches me songs and I chase her around the house and tickle her. She is adorable and really funny! Whenever I'm having problems explaining myself in Spanish she comes running with the dictionary! By then, I'm exhausted but usually like to watch a bit of TV just to unwind, to listen to a bit of English and also to read some Spanish (some of the channels are subtitled but most are dubbed).
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