Photos of the kids and my students

Saying Goodbye!

Well this week I have had to say quiet a few goodbyes.. which is sad although I know that in reality it is only see you later! We had our last evening in the orphanage and we decided to have a movie night! yes popcorn, fizzy juice, the works! The children were so well behaved and as the leaders we were thinking, where have our kids gone? We were able to buy each child a pair of shoes to take home for summer time. The boys got a hand made pencil case and the girls got a handbag full of goodies. The relationships with the kids were really unique and I look forward to seeing them again in march when they return. Also this week, I went with Naomi and Helen to a place called mirador which is basically a Cristian ran home work club for the children in the local area to come to. As i mentioned about the kids beliving that santa chooses not to come to them, well Naomi spoke to her Church who kindly donated money. With this we were able to but the 40 children a Santa hat, a sketch pad, colouring pencils and a bracelet. It was such an special experiences seeing those childrens faces light up with such a simple little thing in ou eyes, although huge in theirs. The set up is amazing there. Located in a very poor area of the city, the children come to ask for help with homework before or after school and the center offer breakfast and a hot lunch. Yesterday was my last day in Uzzi College, the private primary school that I have been teaching at since I arrived. Although very different experience I must admit, the relationships that I have gained with those children are priceless. At the end of school each grade presented me with letters, drawings etc which are memories I will have forever. If I compare this school to the public secondary school, you can imagine it is different ends of the spectrum. Last week I said goodbye to my two classes which was very hard to be honest. MOst of the students closer to my age, we got on great. You can just imagine me, when Sandra the teacher wasnt listening, my speaking in spanish trying not to be caught. This was a good laugh and in turn they learnt some english! Not bad! I have started visiting a local childrens cancer ward in the center of the city. This is a very precious time in my week. A little girl called Jesica, to be honest she is amazing. So much hope and such a character! We just chat away, even sing which can be a laugh! God have given me so many opportunities here and although now i'm finishing schools etc I know that there will be many more to come! At the moment i'm trying to buy my tickets for Brazil which I leave for on monday! Watch this space! Will keep you updated!! Chau for now! MJ x

Reality of the work

To be honest I thought I would give you a better understanding of the work and the history of some of the children. I'm sure by now everyone at home is preparing themselves for Christmas and the arrival of Santa Claus. The child here believe that Santa chooses not to visit them each year... when I heard this it breaks my heart although this is reality. Within the orphanage where I work, the back ground of the children wouldn´t be what they would be like at home. All the children have parents although the families can´t afford to keep the child at home due to living expenses. Its really difficult seeing the families visit and leave and the pain the child goes through after. What I can´t believe, now that its coming close to summer Holidays, (Dec - March) these children will be sent home. Many from abusive families etc and why I ask... the government. It makes me sick, 3 months is an awkful long time and the past few weeks we've noticed the children really unsettled. Only last week I learnt why. The other day when I entered my secondary school where I teach to find there was unsettling news going around that a pupil had smashed a window and self harmed herself. Your probably thinking this is a very morid blog entry. I just think its important to share with you´s that although everything is going so well, some things we come across when we are working is very hard and cruel. This has challenged me deeply and I think while away for what is nearly a year abroad, its important to realise that it has its highs and its lows. Please pray for what you have just read, that the situations will improve, for the safety and safe return of the children back to school. For Christmas, which is a family time of year, that those without the love of the family may have a bit of hope this year. Don´t be upset by this but just take into account that behind a mask can tell a totally different story!

Salsa Dancing

I'm sure you can just imagine... Naomi, Helen and I trying to follow a salsa dancing class where the man doesn´t actually stop to teach you the basics. It really is a laugh to be honest but we love it! Well, the teacher, he is called Coco and constantly is looking at himself in the mirror. It really nice while i'm here in argentina to learn abit of their culture. It very different to what we know and its really enjoyable! I'll keep you updated on how my dancing feet go! MJ x

Good News!

I have some really exciting news that I would like to share with you! I have decided to get baptised on the 14th of December this year in my Church. There are 8 people that are goin forward and its a really exciting time for us. We are attending the baptism class each sunday and learning more and more each time. Again, thank you for all your prayers. Megan x

Nations Night!

What a night!! Our Church invited all the other churches in Salta to join us on saturday for a dinner and nations night. Of course we represented Northern Ireland. Well all had to dress up in costumes and to be honest the argentines look more scottish people which made us laugh! The day before we spent all day making irish dancing skirts and to be honest we looked a bit like pixies in them. So imagine this, a black waist coat which looked so cheap, white t-shirts and different shades of green for a skirt! For about 2 weeks I taught the girls some irish dancing and I don´t think i've laughed so much in my life. Bless them, they really did try but Naomi looked more like a farmer dancing to a barn dance than an irish dancer. Although it looked great on the night so we were over the moon although we had to do a drama thing at the start due to the music, hence the picture. Our theme was all about the conflict in Northern Ireland and how much the place has progressed over the years. Just relieved we didn´t have to sing again! The other costumes from the different churches where class, so much effort went into them. Countries including China, Mexico, Arabia, Mozambique, Brasil... the list goes on! Each country had to give a ten minute presentation etc which including belly dancing and dramas about drugs etc and of course our "gorgeous" irish dancing. The night finished abit like the olympic torch.. each country got a torch which we made and had to go up the front with it, totally beautiful!

I've added some photos! Enjoy and try not to laugh too hard!