I totally forgot to write about the Sioux YMCA Christmas party we threw for the kids. A picture's worth a thousand words so add us on Facebook and check out the pictures I took. Nothing says it better than the pic of Wambli and his truck.
I made the little over 12 hour drive back home to Wisconsin yesterday. It was a long drive, but I powered through. I'm happy to be home and to be able to see family, friends, and pets. I have three weeks off so I'll have a nice chunk of time to relax and rejuvenate before heading back to Dupree on January 10th.
Friends--if you shop on Amazon, please consider signing up for AmazonSmile and choosing the Sioux YMCA as your charity. It's the same thing as Amazon or AmazonPrime, except a percentage of your purchase goes to the Sioux YMCA. This is free to you and an easy way for us to fundraise money.
A fellow YMCA donated about 50 backpacks to us filled with school supplies. Instead of just handing the bags out, we had the kids earn them. They had a checklist that they had to fill out and do each activity--eat a full plate of dinner, exercise, do one act of kindness, brush your teeth, go to bed at a decent time etc--for five days. For their act of kindness, a lot of the kids have been writing little notes to the YMCA staff. Today Dylan (aged 7) and one of the Y regulars only had a few more checks to earn his backpack. He approached me with his hands behind his back and a sly look on his face grinning and saying, "nothing." He produced this post-it from behind his back: I tried not to cry as I pulled him into a bear hug and told him that he made me happy too and that I was so glad he came to the Y. Dylan was one of the very first kids I met out here. His note makes everything worth it.
I realized that my blog posts might be a little unclear since I have everything in my head and I might be forgetting to share some pertinent information with you. Below is my weekly schedule in hopes that it will make what I'm doing out here a little more clear. Courtney and I alternate teen and tween night each week so that we only have to do one a week (this helps us not burn out). When I say I'm doing administrative/office work, that could mean anything from researching grants, developing and marketing a long term volunteer program, helping fold and stuff newsletter envelopes, creating policies, etc. Monday10 am- 3 pm: Administrative/office work 3-6 pm: After school program during which I try to do more administrative work, but end up playing games or helping kids do homework, or telling them to get out of my and Andy's office so we can do actual work 6-7 pm: Teen Night Lice Shield Shampoo Night Tuesday is for Takini
Every Other WednesdayA Weeks 10 am- 3 pm: Administrative/office work 3-6 pm: After school program during which I try to do more administrative work, but end up playing games or helping kids do homework, or telling them to get out of my and Andy's office so we can do actual work 6-7 pm: Tween Night B Weeks 7:45-8:45: Courtney and I make the trek out to Tiospaye Topa School [Four Families] 8:45-11:30: We spend a half an hour doing structured gym and team building time with grades three and four and grades five and six, and a half an hour each in the classroom with grades seven and eight 11:30-12:30: the drive back to Dupree 12:30-1:15 or so: I go home and eat lunch 1:15- 3: administrative work at the Y 3-6 pm: After school program during which I try to do more administrative work, but end up playing games or helping kids do homework, or telling them to get out of my and Andy's office so we can do actual work 6-7 pm: Tween Night Thursday10 am- 3 pm: Administrative/office work 3-6 pm: After school program during which I try to do more administrative work, but end up playing games or helping kids do homework, or telling them to get out of my and Andy's office so we can do actual work 6-7:30 pm: A local artist, Irona Howe, teaches beading for the teens and I join in Lice Shield Shampoo Night Friday10 am- 2 pm: Administrative/office work 2-4:30 pm: After school program during which I try to do more administrative work, but end up playing games or helping kids do homework, or telling them to get out of my and Andy's office so we can do actual work SaturdayRelaxing/ go stir crazy/ laundry/ baking/ writing letters/ house cleaning/ Rapid City/ Pierre/ dog sitting for co-workers/ grocery shopping/ skyping or calling friends & family SundayRelaxing/ go stir crazy/ laundry/ baking/ writing letters/ house cleaning/ Rapid City/ Pierre/ dog sitting for co-workers/ grocery shopping/ skyping or calling friends & family
Movie nights at the YMCA when it's not winter |
ArchivesAuthorWhat would you not do for yourself? What you would do for yourself, you should do for others. --La Tia, Jaibon's Orphanage for Boys, Dominican Republic Categories |