May 25, 2010 Day of Unity & Mail from Home
Today was the first day of Unity Games. This is the day that all the teachers go to one school to put on a sort of sports day for the kids. We focus on games that we’ve been teaching them and on the life lessons we want them to learn, about respect, caring for the environment, leadership, teamwork, etc. We knew it was going to be a jam-packed day, but we really had no idea how much so until the day began to roll!
To our surprise we were granted a lovely sleep in and we’re picked up till 8:30am! Considering that for the past few weeks we’ve been leaving at 7:15am, this is a lovely break. Anyways, the day began at Adele School for Disabilities. Because all the students that attend this school have some form of learning or physical disability we had previously planned on how to modify the games to be appropriate for all the students. Instead of the planned 6 stations we limited to 4, I was at “Cross the Volcano” with Leah, Celine, and Kurt. I love this station because I felt I could be super animated and dramatize the game. The gist of the game is to have the students work in teams to get from one point to another by only using a few pieces of “magic” equipment. It was tons of the fun and the students are super sweet. I love how full of joy they are. They love life and do not let their limitations hold them back. 
One girl who is in a wheelchair would shout “vroom vroom” every time someone new pushed her wheelchair. Haha she’d tell us to go faster all the time too. I ended up playing soccer with her and even though she had no control over her feet, her hands packed a powerful punch. We moved her so she was on her hands and knees (she has Cerebral Palsy) and she’d punch the soccer ball in any and all directions and was probably stronger than when I kick it. I am amazed at the adaptability of these students and how they just love life. I have a lot to learn from these children, there is nothing that can hold you back, but yourself. Reach for the stars.
One of my favourite parts about our morning at Adele was story time after we’d finished all our games. The students at my school don’t do a very good job of listening to a story when it is being read, but these children were angels. They were so attentive and listened very well. I read a Dr. Sues book and had lots of fun with it. I was able to be super animated and have the children interacted with me as I read. I was actually told to be a little quieter because the group reading a story next to us couldn’t hear (oops). The children loved it and apparently some of the teachers enjoyed my story telling.
After a quick lunch on the deck at Adele (I had a grilled cheese sandwich that I prepared the night before – so tired of peanut butter) we headed to T.N. Kirnon. This school we knew would be a bit challenging because it is an inner city school and most of the children that don’t pass the grade 6 exam head to this school. Often they are considered “dumb” because they didn’t pass this all too important entrance test.
We arrived early so we ju
st sat in the shade and waited with the children as they were on lunch break. The girls loved playing with my hair. They commented on how soft it was and how it smelled so good. Lol it was pretty cute.
My new station was the Bullying Scenario with Shelsea. It was a little difficult with some groups because they really didn’t want to listen. It was ironic because at times they’d be talking and agreeing how bullying was wrong and they didn’t like it, but at the same time they were hitting their neighbor. I found it really frustrating and I didn’t know how to help make them listen. Kurt (who taught at this school) said I did a really good job, which was encouraging to me. The most important thing I was trying to impart on them was that we don’t hit back and that we can all be bullies at times, but that we need to show compassion to each other.
By the time the day was done I (along with the team) was exhausted! I headed to the house to do laundry. I was super stoked because I received a letter today. My mom had sent me a letter in hopes I’d receive it before I left and I did. Inside it she included a few cut comics of from my favourite comic strip Overboard which follows these pirates and their yellow lab named Louie. Anyways, it was a lovely surprise and I enjoyed the note from home very much. I was able to read and relax a little while I waited for the dryer to finish. The same thing will happen tomorrow, just at different schools and we have a beach BBQ in the evening. I love not having to cook! I cannot believe there is only 5 days left in this adventure. I love it, and I will never forget the lessons learned here. I am so blessed!
