ALM Adventures -OneByOne-: January 08, 2012

ART UPDATE part one

Art with the kids, what a blast! Some of which I have not been able to document since I am the only grown up hands there, it is tough to wrangle the kids and the camera at the same time!

But I will do what I can to share some of the times with you.

I met a man that does metal work and was happy when he accepted my request to come and show the kids some of his work and tell them about it. Some of the kids where just glued to his explanations and are very excited for his return this week! Daniel showed them that you can make a small (Barbie size) chair out of a milk can(the sell small milk cans here like the size of condensed milk) and the kids where so interested and thrilled when he told them he was leaving the chair behind for them! We are all very excited about his return as he and we have been saving milk cans and the kids are looking forward to learning the process! We will have the older kids take part in this project as the little ones are just not able, with the tools and sharp edges… I have already become a bit of a first aid girl around SMDT and would like to avoid using more bandaids then I already have!

Daniel and his captive audience!

cant you just imagine the little chatter... look at that glare...

he is all over this!!!! what a good student!

Paulo was probably into this the most. he was so interested in all aspects of it, and i am really excited for him to try it soon!

some little ones just cant make it through the afternoon! too cute hey!

excited for your return Daniel!

day out of the norm

A day out with Munib and Val. I have heard bits and pieces of what has been happening with my friend Munib’s place. But he is rather quite about it all. We where finally givin the opportunity to go visit. First we had a bit of a visit to Val’s orphanage and it was good to see the kids again, for me it had been almost a month since seeing them. Micaela had never been and was happy to see what it was all about, and for mark he was happy to see the progress and see the kids again. They where happy to do some coloring and just have some excitement for a bit! Then we where off to Munib’s it is really unlike any place I have seen, and the progress is amazing. I have only seen a few photos, and it was really great to see the new structure in person. I would have loved to get my hands dirty and help out in the building, but for now things are at a good stage and I missed out… but maybe in the future, and many more bunk beds are going to need to be built.

He is located in a tent city, pretty far away. He is in need of water nearer to where he is as it is a bit of a walk to carry buckets of water. And considering the small size of most of the kids I am sure they are not much help with that yet.

school.... wow... if kids in canada could see this!

the new building, for a girls room and a boys room.

hopes to receive many more kids soon that don't currently have homes

not too much to look at, but they do the job.

the lack of education... check out the shirt. this is the lady that gives care to the children.

the pre house... tiny.. it was this and a few tents for everyone.

a 'garden' and the small trapped structure is the outdoor kitchen.

new puppies!!!!!!!!

hmmmm kinda an interesting view...

thank you Munib for what you do!

two helpers

two of the cutest little men help clean up about their home, i just wanted to take a moment to share these few photos. it was really precious as they went about their business. one being very productive, the other i think was mostly just cute!

Painting at SMDT

Painting of SMDT, with minor hick ups we have given a bit of a much-needed face-lift. A donation was made with instruction to do some home repairs, this sounds good to me!

Paint was purchased and roller and a TERRIBLE brush… with many hands (the kids) I knew it would be interesting. Some of them turned out to be better helpers then the grown ups! They want to do a good job and take their time looking for approval; I was quick to assign the title “big boss” to Paulo. He was thrilled to accept this title.

We did not have trays, or many of the needed materials to do a good job, but we made it work. And as the sun went down the final paint strokes showed a job well done. The following day we painted the back porch, which is the kitchen. It also looks much nicer!