What I really do

I am not here to bring people out of poverty overnight or save the world or ¨help¨the children.

I am here to be the tía learning spanish, a lending ear, and a person who tells children not to climb on roofs. I am here to be a person to go to when in need, a fútbol player, and a person who breaks up the occasional fight or tells kids not to flick off the camera.



I am here to motivate the children and let them know they can do whatever task lay in front of them. I am here to plan things through VE to give the children outlets and opportunities. I am here to help the children build self confidence and here for support. I am here to make the staff laugh at lunch when I try to say something in spanish but no one knows what I just said. I am here to say good job and nice try. Money isn´t everything (but still needed), its the outlook a person has on life that will determine if they are happy or not.

First week of work and fiestas!

Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well :)

This past week has been great, other than me being sick… still. I started work this past Tuesday and so far no real complaints. All the kids are really cute and pretty good for the most part. Of course there are the few that don’t like to listen but there are also a few older ones that have taken me under their wing and help me with Spanish. The staff is hilarious and so helpful and understanding. We also have lunch with them everyday which is great. Living situation also going just fine (other than it being perpetually freezing) – I have 3 translators (y un poco fliate, they are in the picture with me) and right now two of our friends are staying with us too since their place is closed until Wednesday. Why you ask?...


September 18 is Chile’s Independence Day! And Chileans will be partying for 4 days. I don’t have to work until Wednesday. On Friday we had a fiesta at the club with dancing cueca (“the” traditional Chilean dance) games, relays, dulces and empanadas. You thought the 4th of July was big…this is no comparison.

Also on Saturday (today) we had a repair day and painted one of the living spaces at a Hogar. Even though the day was long it looked great when we finished and was well worth it.

I think that is it for now. I have to work on my VE stuff for the Futbol League and sleep so I can party like a Chilean the rest of the weekend. Ciao!

Orientation Week

After being ready to leave for about a month, I am finally in Santiago. The week began in Dallas when I met two other VE volunteers in the airport. Needless to say I got more excited by the minute when we talked. 9 1/2 hours and $100 (entry fee for US citizens) later, I was in a van to the hostel with 7 others - 5 volunteers and the Executive and Assitant Director.

During orientation 14 of the 17 of us stayed at a hostel in Barrio Brazil. We had the weekend to discover the city together before orientation really began.
Most of the city makes me feel like I'm walking down streets in Budapest or Vienna. Others are more colorful with jewelry, scarfs and other items for sale. Stray dogs are everywhere. The city is surrounded by the snow peaked Andes which you can see well once some of the smog lifts (second most polluted/smog filled city in the world not to mention a hole in a ozone right above the city). I can get around the city pretty well with my spanish, but the real test is when I start working with the kids.

So, what is orientation like?
Tiring. Some of the time we were in groups with a current volunteer to lead us. During the week each group went to 3 different children's homes or community centers to see and learn about about them. The week was also filled with a scavanger hunt around the city, many dinners at the VE House and numerous presentations dealing with child neglect, abuse, and so forth. I feel more prepared to work at my center, but of course still have tons to learn.

Also, on Saturday we went to the monthly VE football (soccer) league! A few of the Hogar's and Center's came together and played each other in football games. This is actually where my VE job comes in... On top of working at the community center everyone has a position in VE - mine is now the Director of the Football League. There are a bunch of us working together. After the football league we had our welcome dinner and then went out dancing.

Today I moved into my place, a community center in La Granja. I both work and live here. It's also apparently one of the best places to volunteer at. The definition of living here is: I and 3 guys live in the center (basically a big house) - just the 4 of us. We have a back patio, 2 dogs, kitchen, family room, etc. and someone cooks our lunches. Lets just say I have it easy compared to a lot of people, living wise. I have not met the kids yet, but during orientation week I met the director who told me a lot about the kids. They live in the surrounding underprivilaged neighborhood. Most of the kids live with only their mother who may not be home often because of work or numerous other situations. Most of the children are come because of neglect, abuse or because no one is home for them after school. It will be difficult to work at a community center since the children still go back to their situations and I am only with them 4 hours a day. My other time is spent doing chores and working for VE.

Well, that's it for now! I will have another update next week. Also, and by the way, I just accidentally deleted my photos on my digital camera from the last few days. For amazing photos of Santiago and the people here to go Christi´s Photos.

Ciao! - La gringa de La Granja :)