Brazil
I didn't expect to be part of a team of so many volunteers. Currently there are 10 of us. Just the same, the challenges that I face on a daily basis with the kids are exactly the challenges that I anticipated. I think that kids are generally the same no matter what culture they grow up in.
The kids in the community are exactly as I had hoped they would be. They are loving, patient with my language barrier, and very friendly. I spend most of each day with them, during both school time and free time in the evenings. I came with the intention of integrating myself into the community as much as possible.
The biggest rewards in my work here are the relationships that I get a chance to form with the kids, especially with the older ones. Some of them are very hesitant to open up to any type of authority figure, so it's been very rewarding to see them open up to me.
I got a thorough education from the orphan boys that I worked with in Brazil. Their culture is fun-loving which does not allow for too much regret over one’s life situation.
- Eric W.