Today was our first official day of work at the Haven. We were split into three groups to work on swallowing, language, and tutoring. We are so blessed to have two extra supervisors, Marja and Caroline. They are AWESOME and so helpful! Some girls collected data on the at risk medically fragile babies that might have further feeding issues. The others looked at the developmental levels of the babies and assisted in tutoring school aged children. Tonight we had a "welcoming party" hosted by Mr. Perry and the Namwianga Mission. It was a very moving experience and Mr. Perry expressed his sincere gratitude for our work at the Namwianga Mission as well as taking time out of our lives to come to Zambia. They prepared a FEAST of their traditional meal (chicken, rice, and red sauce. . . and of course cake) and the boys choir sang a couple of songs for us and then asked us to sing one as well. They were all so welcoming and glad to have us! Tomorrow we will continue our work at the Haven by continuing to establish rapport with the children and collecting more data.
P.S. we got showers today!! YAYYY! :)
Lacey
Things I learned in Africa....
14 years ago
Lacey, I loved reading your post! I am so excited that you girls are getting this experience! Are they kids starting to warm up to you yet? I can't wait to read more and see their progress! How's they food down there? Oh and so excited you got to shower = ) how long had it been? haha
ReplyDelete-Megan Parsons
Hey Jaime,
ReplyDeleteHow was your first day of language enhancing therapy sessions today!! Miss You!!
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ReplyDeleteHow are yall checking their swallowing? The feast sounds amazing! None of the men offered any of you more marriage invitations did they?
ReplyDeleteP.S. Glad yall got to have showers! Hope they were hot ones!
I think it is wonderful how you already so close to everyone there. I don't think, I KNOW the children will love each and every one of you! Continue to enjoy your experiences!
ReplyDeleteI am excited that ya'll were blessed with hot showers and some of Leonard's good cooking. How many children are each of you assigned to in your groups? And how do approach language therapy with the children since most are bilingual? I know that each of you are doing an amazing job with these kids. Can't wait to hear more stories.
ReplyDeleteYAY for showers!! I am working with a lot of swallowing patients and I enjoy it...how is swallowing for you guys? Is it fun?
ReplyDeleteWe are not really assessing swallowing so much as trying to help with some tactile feeding issues we have going on. We have 14 babies ranging in age from 3 months to 10 months in our feeding groups. And there are probably 35-40 little ones from 1 year to 3 years spread over three different houses in our language groups. It is relatively simple, the kids speak a little english, but the Aunties have been kind enough to teach a few key phrases. Like, sit down, come here, stop that. But it is alot like our TLC group. lots of singing and playing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got showers today! I would love to try this recipe in the States so that we can have a taste of their traditional meal!
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