Day 5

Today was a great day at school.  I worked in the deaf class for the first time today.  The classroom vibe was awesome. Everyone was working incredilbly hard; however, it was completely silent.  Watching them interact with each other through Sign Language was amazing. It made me realize that no disablitiy is capable of bringing a person's spirit down. I must admit, I was ignorant before coming here. I didn't think these kids who couldn't hear would be so smart.  I assumed because they had a disablility they were going to be below average students.  They proved me wrong right off the bat.  They work diligently and they even taught me some Sign.  I will never forget any of those kids I worked with today. They are truly amazing individuals and I know they will overcome the poverty they live in because they have overcome so much already. After school I went on home visits with Tyra, Sammie, and Nicole.  The experience of only an hour or so of home visits will stick with me for the rest of my life.  I still am in shock of how some people can be so ignorant, and mis-treat their own children so badly. The first house was home to Milagro, a 14 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy.  Yesterday a group of students went to check in on her and her family.  Her whole family was not home; however, they left Milagro home alone.  When we showed up today it was clear her mother was putting on a show.  She was pretending to care for her and love her, but it was ovious this was the first time in a long time she had ever gave her any attention.  One of our translators put it best. He asked the mother, "Do you believe in God?  Because she is a Angel sent from Heavan, and it is your responsibility to take care of her."  I really hope that made her realize that Milargo is an amazing person and she is a gift, not a burden. The second home we visited was the same situation. There was a 23 year old girl named Julisa who had Cerebral Palsy. She was exteremly dirty. It was clear she hadn't been bathed in days, maybe weeks. When we asked the parents when the last time she was washed, of course they said yesterday. This was a lie.  Julisa's life consists all most entirely of sitting in her tiny room, staring at the wall.  When we came we took her outside and she sat on the deck.  We hadn't even completely left yet when her parents took her back into her room. My heart sinks just thinking about both of the amazing people we met today, because they have so much potential and they could be in such better condition if they had loving parents.  Thanks everyone again and I will talk to you tomorrow.