On Saturday April 6th, 2019, we drove down to Mexico and implemented our first reading program at Casa Hogar Manantial De Esperanza AC.
There were a total of 18 kids at the orphanage. We partnered with Flying Samaritans at University of California San Diego (Flying Sams) - a nonprofit that runs free medical and dental clinics as well as volunteers at orphanages in Mexico - and worked with them to execute reading lessons and public health activities.
Trip Preparation
Multiple meetings with the Flying Sams to discuss the needs of the orphans
Collaborated with a librarian at the Clairemont Public Library to develop a ESL reading program that is tailored for the children at the orphanage
Received feedback from teachers on how to improve reading program
Trained members of Flying Sams to implement the reading program
Brought along the following materials: 53 books, 30 pencils, 2 Leap Frog tablets, worksheets, white board, posters, Spanish/English dictionary, as well as supplies for making soap, dictionaries, and shakers.
Part 1: English Reading Lesson - Learning Colors
The theme of the reading lesson was colors, and we followed the detailed structure of the reading lesson that we had thoroughly developed and fine-tuned. The children quickly picked up the new words and used them while speaking. It was very moving!
Part 2: Public Health Education - Making Soap
Using soap isn't routine for the children. We wanted to teach them the importance of good hygiene, so we taught them how to make soap. The children had a lot of fun shaping their soap and decorating it soap with flower petals.
Part 3: Sustainability
After our interactions with the kids, we trained one of the staff members at the orphanage on how to carry out the reading program. We left her with a detailed structure to follow when carrying out the weekly reading lessons and provided her with all the materials needed to run the reading program.
At the end of the day, the children were hugging all the volunteers and sad to see us leave. Overall the trip was amazing because we go the chance to connect with the children we were helping and make a difference in their lives.
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