service day with my class

So, on Friday, my whole grade got split up and put into different places in the city. We all got to do different outreach things. Some went to Siloam, others went to Union Gospel Mission. And my group went to St. Aidens! It was kinda cool because my group for mexico got to be there with me and see what I've been doing. It was really cool. We had to put on a chapel, so Matt (one of my friends/ classmates) played guitar, and originally I was supposed to lead singing. But I convinced everybody in my group to come and sing. We also help move books and re-organizing their library. And spent some one-on-one time with the kids. We all helped them with different things, math, reading, spelling.. etc.
They served us lunch, and it was really yummy. And we got to join them in their breaks, we played pool and floor hockey, and at lunch, we had a big game of dodge-ball. My team against the kids. It was really fun. Then we went to Sidney Klassen Pool and Gym. And we all go to go swimming.... well except me. I was rushing so much that morning that I completely forgot about my bathing suit. So.. I go splash, and received a lot of nice, warm, wet hugs... :)
anyways. I had so much fun, with my team, and with the students. My hope is to go again this Friday!!

final post... at least for this semester...

Wow this semester went by so fast! This past monday I presented my project to my class. And it went a lot better then I thought. (apart from my shaky voice) :) I think I got my main points across.
I talked about my background to this project and how Uganda and Grand Rapids really had an impact on me, and that it really change my perspective toward my surroundings. I also talked about my experiences at Siloam and how that even though homeless people are grubby and have nothing. God made them and that they are still special.
And yeah.
This is more of a project for me, this is more of a lifestyle, and so I don't think I'm just going to end here now that this class is done.
This class, or project kinda was just my starting point, my push to actually start being more involved. So I don't think this will be my final post. And maybe it will be. But this isn't going to be the end of working inner-city!

back again to st. Adien's

I went to St. Adien's again yesterday! It was soo much fun. The grade 9's were on some field trip, so there was approximately 6 kids there. It was actually kinda nice cause I got to spend more one-on-one time with the kids. I was really surprised when they actually remembered me and wanted me there. The first time I went there, it felt like some of the kids almost built a wall, and that they didn't even notice me. But yesterday, when they came, they were all like 'Miss Taylor!!' It was really nice :)..
So I got to do art all morning with them, which was great cause I LOVE art! And then after break I just help kids with reading and spelling, and little jobs like that! It was great, and I'm so happy that I could connect with the kids this time.

St. Adien's

So I went to St. Adien's school on Tuesday. It was different then I thought it would be, but not in a negative way. When I got to the school, I helped set up some math games on computers. And then I joined the staff devotions. It was weird not being a student. When the kids came I was in the math class, and they all called me 'Miss Taylor.' It was a little weird, but I got used to it. During the day I helped out with little things like handing out notebooks, and collecting assignments. And it was weird being the assistance teacher. I also helped kids with their math work, for the ones who didn't understand and that just need some attention. So I sat with a few kids. And the first one that I sat with was in grade 6. She was really quiet and she acted like she didn't know how to do the work, but when she was on task, she always got the answers right.
It was different to be working in a math class. I used to love math, but lately it just hasn't been my strongest subjects. But doing math that I already have done, and helping some kids do it, I felt that I was able to help them more than I thought that I could. When I noticed that I would be working in a math class, I was starting to worry because I thought that I might not get it myself, or that I would have a difficult time explaining it. But in the end, it was all good.
Like I said before, I didn't really think that becoming a mentor would be me teaching/ assisting kids. But maybe that is the way to break the ice, before I become a 'Big sister..' maybe this is how I'm going to figure out who I will click with, and how I will become familiar to them.
I am looking forward to next week, especially now that I know what I'm doing on these mornings.

the process

So, before Christmas break, I emailed a teacher that works at St. Aiden's. We talked about me starting to attend the school, and either working in the school, or being a 'Big sister.' And I was really drawn to the big sister Idea, but I wanted to give both a shot. I didn't want to just do one and not the other because I want to get the full experience.
I have a double spare every day six (which comes 1 every cycle) So this way, I can go almost once a week till the end of January. Then after exams I'm going to have to figure something else out. But I think that this is a good start.
I am looking forward to starting to volunteer. I don't really know what this is going to look like. So..