Juan Sevilla en Angola

It’s already one month since I arrived at Children’s Town and frankly, it seems to be 3 or 4 months ago. I suppose it is due to start days very early (at 7 a.m.) and to be doing things all day long (until 8-9 p.m.). Even there are some days I feel very tired, I have fun doing this and I think that job done with enthusiasm can only bring good results.

I always get up thinking about all the things I can do here, how I can help children, what I have to prepare for lessons, all the medicines I have to give them, preparations for football training, to help children to put mosquito nets in their beds…. And many other things that make the day by day a non-stop. But, it makes me feel really happy. And I think it makes children happy too.

The last three weeks were really intense and profitable. All this has been possible with Brian and Kim help, a couple of teachers from Michigan school (USA) who were visiting Mozambique, and after being in CT for one weekend and seeing all the work pending to do, they decided to stay some more days and help me. All of us shared responsibilities, work, bring new ideas…. And set up the projects which are explained in detail in the website. They paid special attention in the hygienic and medical matters.
After all their work, the doctors visit, the diagnostic and the according medication, it will be easy for me to make the monitoring of children health. Some of them need diary medications and cures, even twice a day. I would like to thank Brian and Kim and send them my best wishes.

However, some things which seem basic and of common sense for us haven’t been very easy to set them up in CT. We found obstacles such as culture and workmates. I think adults are who had to take the responsibilities, to show initiatives, to work all together… but the lack of education, the lack of interest and motivation of some people make very difficult to carry out even the simplest initiative. Some of them are:

• Cleaning the school once a week (it’s very dirty), It will take place on Fridays.
• Placing of boxes for throwing out papers
• To dig holes where throw out all the rubbish (they threw out rubbish without control and at any place)
• To build benches in order all children can sit down during meals. Most of them ate on the floor. We found some unused wood pieces, which were profitable building 3 benches.
• Fitting-out of 2 rooms for being used as “Health center”
• Establishment of timetable for cures (they are at my door’s house at any hour)
• Clothes airier repair in order all of them can hang their clothes out and are not on the floor.
• Establishment of timetable for boys and girls baths separately. I am the guard during girls bath turn.
• To take mattresses and blankets out in the air since the youngest children wet themselves during night.

Now that I am alone again, I only wish to be able to carry all these tasks out. I’ve been aware that other volunteers tried to set up hygienic habits previously but it didn’t work for several reasons. I will do everything in my power to carry on with all this work, with or without help, since the ones who will be worst hit are children and they are not fault of anything.

I know that it is not easy to change ideas, thoughts and habits from people who have lived all their lifes in poverty, dirtiness, bad smell… However, my job here is based on this. I knew it in advance and nobody told me it would be easy.

About me, I have been working in several areas during my first month:

• English teacher in 6th level (Wednesdays and Fridays)
• English support lessons 3 days per week
• I started a football project with children from and out of school. We usually train 2 days per week and play football matches at weekends.
• Hygiene in the center
• Improvements in children diet introducing milk, cacao and fruit. I give them a piece of fruit or a glass of milk and cacao with bread all afternoons at 5 p.m.
• Cures and medicines administration
• Administrative works in the center
• I help to make weekend programs

Next time I write in website, I would like to receive your questions, doubts… After my first month here, I could write a book but I don’t want to be heavy.
Therefore, please make your questions about my everyday life, the school, children, the community, activities… and I promise I will answer them.

Best regards