t weekend working at a temporary housing facility for families without homes. The facility was an old Soviet barracks/compound, which was really neat to see. The outreach was with our 19 8th graders and 6 of us teachers (Brandon and I included). We spent all day Friday doing yard work for them...clearing out the huge lawn of what we soon discovered were thorn trees. (Picture below!) 
On Saturday, we did a kids' program for all the children at this home. Half of our group did sports (mainly football - or soccer, in American terms), and the other half of us did a craft. The craft we did was to have them decorate pictures frames. Angela, one of the teachers here, brought along her camera, laptop, and printer, and we took pictures of them to print out right there and put into their frames. We thought it would be a cool idea. Little did we know just how touching it would turn out to be. The people living in this facility have no homes, little clothing, only the food that is provided for them there, and very little earthly belongings. And for most of them, they have no pictures of themselves or their families and children. When they heard that we were taking pictures
and giving them out right then, they all started showing up in their best clothes they owned. They were so proud to have their pictures taken! They started showing up with their families and asking for family pictures. Even the cooks, a couple of older ladies, asked if we could take their pictures. As Angela was uploading and printing out the pictures they were hovered around her anxiously. They were so thankful to have pictures of themselves and their families, probably some of the only ones they will ever have. Watching this, I was reminded again of how easy it is to take the little things for granted...something like a picture of yourself or your loved ones.
and giving them out right then, they all started showing up in their best clothes they owned. They were so proud to have their pictures taken! They started showing up with their families and asking for family pictures. Even the cooks, a couple of older ladies, asked if we could take their pictures. As Angela was uploading and printing out the pictures they were hovered around her anxiously. They were so thankful to have pictures of themselves and their families, probably some of the only ones they will ever have. Watching this, I was reminded again of how easy it is to take the little things for granted...something like a picture of yourself or your loved ones. I think that most of us left there that weekend feeling humbled and grateful for such a wonderful experience.
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AWESOME work!
ReplyDeleteHow great and what a blessing that was to those living in the housing facility. Those thorn trees look like they would hurt if you grabbed it in the wrong spot. So cool to do the pictures too. Can't tell you how awesome it is to read how involved you two have become in the school.
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