We all headed to Sunrise Childrens’ Village. We split into two groups; Michelle and Claudine presented a program designed for special needs children, while Wendy, Steph and I presented a Personal Boudaries and Increasing Self Esteem program.
The group I was with consisted of 17 nannies, teachers and carers. None spoke English so we used a translator. The group were very keen to learn and enjoyed all the activities.
We shared lunch with the children and staff and then we were taken on a tour of the grounds.
After our break Michelle introduced the staff to Developmental Games. There was much fun and laughter they especially loved playing “fruit salad”, “on my journey”
and “the knot” (which really intrigued them).
Once again the best part of the day was watching the staff teach the children. They remembered most instructions so well and only needed a couple of prompts. Of course the games were a favorite and it was a joy to watch both carers and children laughing and squealing together.
At the end of the day we were rewarded with a sneek preview of their up and coming performance which will be held at Sydney Opera House in October.
It was absolutely beautiful, the children were totally absorbed in what they were doing.
Some danced, others sang or played instruments. They worked passionately as a team with professionalism far beyond their years.
With some time to spare everyone went outside and began to play the Developmental Games all over again. They were not asked to do this and it was great to see them choose to play these new games of their own accord.
M’Lop Tapang – Shady Tree
We spent two days working at M’Lop Tapang. Once again it was a pleasure to work with people who are so eager to learn. This group was made up of 11 teachers.
On the first day Wendy presented two programs; Brain Integration and Anger, Trauma and Fear. We had thought that we were only going to review these two but the class consisted of many new students.
The students who had previously done these two programs with Susan and Renska told us that they had begun to incorporate PACE into some of the children’s lives.
It is used everyday by the mobile library which targets the street kids who do not come to school and once or twice a week in classroom. We encouraged them to continue with their good work and to try to increase its use so that they could see its benefits sooner.
It was great to be able to review the programs with them as they had many questions and were eager to learn ways in which they could use the techniques in their own lives e.g. insomnia, exams stress etc.
In the afternoon their amazing enthusiasm was transferred to the school children as we observed them teaching.
On the morning of day two Wendy presented them with a program that was new to all; Personal Boundaries and Increasing Self Esteem. This being their third program they were now understanding the concept of Brain Gym.
We had hoped to visit the street kids with the Outreach Program but as we had arrived in the wet season and it was raining heavily this was not to be.
Cheers
Robyn
Compassion in Action 