Mantis Monday

Day 21

Today was another great day. We had cooler weather throughout the day which made our walks back and forth to the Havens very pleasant. Its so funny talking to the Zambians here about the weather because they think it is so cold and we Americans think it is comfortable. They are out walking around in jackets, hats and gloves, and we are walking around in tee shirts and jeans.

Today we split up into new groups again. I am still working with the same group; Jill, Shanna, and Tessa, but we are under a new supervisor, Kara, and we are doing language therapy instead of feeding and swallowing with Dr. Weaver. This morning I must admit I did miss feeding therapy. I think I mostly miss the kids I was working with but eventually once I got back with some of my favorites to work with I had a lot of fun.

Haven two is currently being cleaned and painted so the girls from have two are staying in Haven three, and the boys from Haven two are staying in Eric’s house which is across the street from the Havens. Today during our first class I noticed a praying mantis close to where I was sitting. I picked him up so he wouldn’t get trampled by the toddlers (I really like praying mantises). A few minutes later a lizard interrupted therapy, grabbed my praying mantis friend and then took off…sigh, circle of life…

After our language group in the morning we went to Haven 1. I am happy to say that the babies that I worked with a week ago are showing great improvement since I last worked with them. Miller is talking more, and Megan is starting to get the hang of walking, and she didn’t even try to beach herself on my lap today, instead she used her arms to pull up and stand. Today I also worked with Caleb. I have never worked with him before but he was screaming throughout the time, apparently he does this a lot. Caleb has casts on his legs. Kara thinks he just gets frustrated because he can’t more around like the other children his age. So today I pushed him around in a baby stand cart thing? He seemed to enjoy that, and after being pushed around for a while he was clam enough to talk to and continue therapy. I pray that Caleb will become calmer during our sessions. Apparently he is always a screamer.

The afternoon sessions where great as well! Being in Kara’s group I get to spend an hour and forty five mins in Haven three! Which is my favorite place to be. I worked with Sydney all afternoon (my favorite baby/cutest baby) She was very talkative today. I’m not sure exactly how old she is, but she is probably a litter under 12 months. I very much enjoyed working with her this afternoon. Today we worked on /b/ in hopes that she will say my name before I leave, but we didn’t just work on b the entire time, I’m not that selfish : )

For dinner tonight we had tacos! I was really missing Mexican food so it was a nice change from the other things we eat there. They were very good. After dinner I spent some time looking at photos I took and then I talked with Webster and Justin (the night watchmen). They were very entertaining tonight. We talked about snow, and I showed them some pictures of snow on my computer. I also showed them what roller coasters where. There were so amazed. They think that Americans are very brave and strong for all the thrill seeking we do. They mentioned the bungee jumping at Victoria Falls and they said, “that is looking for death”  they are both very nice men. They want me to spend the night with them patrolling. I told them that I needed my sleep to work, but I said maybe I could Friday night. I’m still not sure if I’m going to. It would be hard to function the next day. They said that they watch till 6am when the sun rises. So I could sleep till 12 the next day and catch up on sleep. Still not sure though, we will see.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, I love  all the time I get to spend in Haven 3.

Thank you.

Ben