I know that I wrote to you guys about Seth in the first e-mail I wrote with the biographies of the boys. I had a really nice conversation with him yesterday and it was a hard one as well. We talked about some things that were light as well as topics that are heavy on his heart. He wants to be a cook when he grows up but struggles getting experience. He spilled hot water on himself the other day and burned his whole finger. It is one huge blister raised about a half inch off his skin. He told me about how he came here 12 years ago. He came with his sister who is younger than him but he had 7 other siblings. They didn't come to the home and he doesn't know what happened to them. It was hard to talk to him about it because I don't know what to say. I don't want to be invading his space but when he brings up things I want to ask more questions. As for now I let it stay and maybe eventually he will become comfortable enough with me to tell me the rest of his story.
I worry about these kids because they have been through so much and don't discuss it with anyone. If they were in America they would be getting proper counseling and help. They don't even tell each other their story. Yakubu told me that most boys just want to move on and thinking about their past is too difficult. I understand that but at the same time I am wondering if that is an unhealthy way of going about things- but then again what do I know? The kids are becoming more comfortable with me because they offer me food when they are eating and tell me things that the normally wouldn't tell me. They taught me how to clean the gutters the other day (sick!) I am starting to read their body language and they can tell my mood by mine as well. It is really neat how when you get to know someone better you can tell what they are thinking just by looking at them.
It is a good feeling when every night when I have to leave for dinner they don't want me to leave. They tell me to stay just a little longer or to come back after dinner. I am no longer a strange face or a random Obruni. I am someone consistent in their lives and they know to expect me every weekday and sometimes on weekends. The little boys have started to cling to me lately. They always want me to help dress them instead of the Aunties. If they get cut they will come to me and have me help them clean it. I really feel like I belong here. That's not to say that I don't have my moments of doubt but at least right now I am feeling sure of where I am and what I am doing. Life is Good and being here has taught me to be optimistic more than anything I have experienced and most of you know that I can be pretty negative.
I will write about Daniel today:
Daniel is 16. He is very quiet but a genuinely sweet boy. He hasn't been in school lately and I was surprised to find out why. Daniel got angry with another student and cut them with something in the classroom. He was so ashamed when he told me that he has been suspended for 2 months. I couldn't believe it! But he is very sensitive. He has no problem teasing the other boys but has trouble when they tease him. I wasn't sure whether to write about him getting in trouble in the e-mail because it gives him a bad image when he is really a sweet kid. I think that when you have been through anything like what these children deal with you are bound to have some moments of regret. He loves to play football (soccer) and dance to hip hop. He sleeps a lot because he has football training about 3 hours a day.
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