Some more art!

I have decided that it is MUCH too tough to have all the kids for a craft/ art project at a time. So I have started taking smaller groups of the kids and have a rotation going on. It works much better. Evens works exclusively with 7 of the oldest kids and has been doing reading, and drawing with them. It is great to have some new supplies sent for this! Thanks MOM! They have really been enjoying the step by step drawing books! We have discovered that some of the kids reading skills are very elementary for their age and so Evens and given them home work of reading books and we hope these skills improve!

I have been working mostly with the younger kids while the older ones are busy. They are very active and always wanting my attention during this time. It can be rather crazy! The calls of my name are countless, they want me to look at each stroke of their paintbrush that has added new colour to their creation and are always looking for my encouragement and approval. I happy to offer my support to their creations, who can resist these faces!?

such focus, SO beautiful to watch

i love this little mans imagination, he had a whole story to go with it that i did not quite follow

even the little ones that used to sit alone sad have joined in! this makes me very happy

i know this photo is blurry, but i need you all to see this little character.  She cracks me up... look at this, paint all over her face, and just LOVING life! she is also the one i found sucking on a crayola marker... till all her teeth and tongue where blue

very proud of his Elephant

in the background.. the art apron being used.. hehe, they like them!

I am thankful for the things I learnt when I was very young! I have passed on my paper box making skills, bracelets, and my simple drawings that the kids love to duplicate. Or sometimes it is simple changing up their days with something special

the stares of 'bebe' LOOK OUT!

I have seen children come out of their shells, opening up to their house mates, and to us. I have seen quite, shy children turn in to chatter boxes! It is awesome to see the progress and to be here long enough to really see a difference in their lives.  Little voices telling each other to say thank you, and please. Simple kindness that is going a long way.

I found 'kenson' bouncy ball in hand, throwing and running after all by him self. after capturing this moment i put down the camera and join in. HE LOVED IT, giggled, ran, and even 'vocalized' to other children that it was HIS and MY game... they got the picture quickly.

'Kenson' is a very sad little boy that is newest to SMDT. i often find him just sleeping, or crying, he suffers from some major separation anxiety and has been sick as well. BUT in the last couple weeks i have seem moments of great growth. Because he is not that small(others are smaller and talk) the other kids don't know how to interact with him since he only makes noise's and cries.  but slowly things are getting better for little 'kenson'

Thank you all for your kindness in my journey, I would not be able to do this with out the support from ‘home’.  I am truly blessed.

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!