AMIGUITA OF THE WEEK ~ Bianca*

   

     Blanca is an energetic little girl.  She has a mind of her own, an independent spirit, and a feistypersonality—with a silly side—that cannot fail to endear her to those who meet her.

     Blanca and I ended up on the same soccer team for the Torneo Navideno this past holiday season.  However, I could never convince her to actually play a game with us.  Towards the beginning of the tournament, we were standing at the door to the comedor looking at the game schedule.  “Blanca”, I asked her, “Are you going to play this week?”  “No!” she answered.  “Why not?”  I asked.  “We need you!”  “You weren’t here last week when we played!” she said accusingly.  And she was right.  I had been on retreat the weekend before and missed a game.  I tried to explain to her that I had been out of town and hadn’t missed the game deliberately, but it was to no avail.  Blanca had made up her mind, and that was it.  Later I would see her happily running around on the field before the start of a game and call out to her, “Blanca!  Are you playing?”  “No!!!!”  she would answer emphatically.  Blanca plays on her terms and on her terms only.

     Blanca’s spunkiness is apparent in her interactions with the other children at Amigos.  One evening I was eating dinner in Blanca’s hogar.  We went outside behind the hogar to wash our plates at the pila. One of the boys from the neighboring dorm, Oscar Omar, had climbed a tree.  Once he spotted Blanca, he began calling down to her in a teasing voice, “Blanca Nieve!  Donde están los enanos?” which means, “Snow White!” Where are the dwarves?”  Blanca promptly and succinctly informed Oscar that she did not appreciate being called Snow White, nor did she know where the dwarves could be located.  I think she did manage to forgive Oscar, though—I saw her hugging him good night after prayer circle one evening. 

     Another of Blanca’s charming qualities is the silly, goofy side to her personality, which often appears in the company of her twin brother, Jose Alexis.  On a recent walk to Posas Verdes, the village down the road from Amigos, the twins could be found laughing and giggling at everything.  From their sneaky sprint ahead of the adults in the group to the hilarity that ensued after someone knocked over the (luckily closed) bottle of refresco, Blanca and Alexis were thoroughly enjoying being chiflado (wacky) together.   

     Further evidence that Blanca is truly a livewire exists in the following anecdote.  After a rather enthusiastic prayer service, Blanca got so excited during the last song that she stood up on the bench she’d been sitting on and began to dance animatedly to the delight of those sitting near her.  Blanca is a bold, bright, young girl who will without a doubt become a vivacious, self-assured young woman. 
~ Genevieve Volpe, 2015-16 volunteer

Blanca and her twin brother, Jose Alexis

Blanca with her siblings (and friend Fernanda) during October vacations.
Left to right: Blanca, Fernanda, Jose Alexis, Keila, Reina

This series of photos perfectly sums up Blanca's personality:

AMIGA OF THE WEEK ~ Genevieve

Genevieve is a unique and beloved member of the Amigos de Jesus family. She arrived at Amigos in October as a long-term volunteer and plans to serve for a year. Though independent from the larger group of long-term volunteers (they arrived in August and are largely in their twenties), Genevieve has carved her 'niche' within the Amigos family and has been a tremendous help to all of the staff and kids. Her backgrounds in non-profit work, education, and long-term service (she and Amigos director Amy Escoto met serving together in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)!), as well as her Spanish, writing, and organizational skills, have been tremendous assets to the 'hogar.' Her love, faithfulness, and flexibility have been a wonderful example for the kids.

1. Name: Genevieve Volpe
2. Hometown: Wheeling, West Virginia
3. What did you do for a living before coming to Amigos de Jesus? I worked for The West Side Community House, which is a community center (settlement house) in Cleveland, Ohio. I worked with youth and families, which included youth with severe behavioral issues or mental health issues. The program's focus was on community-based mental health care to help support the youth and their families. One of my main jobs included helping the youth and families work through their issues, difficulties, and find some peace and success. 
4. What made you decide to serve as a long-term volunteer at Amigos? A couple of years ago, I visited the directors Amy and Wilson here at Amigos de Jesus, and I really enjoyed my visit. I knew there was something very special about this place [Amigos]. I was ready to move on from my previous job and to walk in a different direction. Before coming to volunteer at Amigos, I left my job and moved in with my sister to help here with her premature newborn twins. I lived with her for about two months. I knew I wanted to come back to Amigos and hopefully be of service in some way for a longer period of time. I wanted to utilize my skills and abilities in administration, education, and social work, so I thought, what better time then now? I also have always wanted to live in a Spanish-speaking country, and more specifically in a Central American country. 
5. What is your role at Amigos? 
• First, I help in the office. My main project has included implementing a new training manual for the trainings that will be given to the staff, teachers, and caretakers here at Amigos. 
• Second, I am helping put together a case management system for every child at the ‘hogar.’ The case management will include individual meetings with every child and all those who see the child on a daily basis. The meetings will include the child’s caretakers, teachers, and other people in their lives, to talk about what is going on with the child mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and behavior-wise, both in the ‘hogar’ (home) and in the classroom. In addition to what they need help with, talking about the child’s goals and needs in order to come up with a universal way to act with the child - across teachers, volunteers, and caretakers - to help us help the child be successful, happy, and move forward into adulthood. 
• Third, I also help with other duties needed around the ‘hogar’ when necessary.  I substitute teach sometimes at school, I help organize the storage space in the ‘hogar,’ and I am available to help as a caretaker in any of the ‘hogars’ when necessary. (She forgot to mention that she has also been writing lovely pieces on each of the kids, which we have been using in 'Amiguito of the Week' features).
6. What is your favorite part of being here? Being a part of a community.  Living and working in the same space with the kids, ‘jovenes’ (teenagers), caregivers, staff, and the teachers.  Being a part of a truly loving and life-giving community, that is my favorite part.  
7. What is your favorite memory from the year thus far? I guess it would have to be with Jorge Luis (a joven here at Amigos). He came up to me one time during the Christmas season and said “Miss, I have a gift for you.” I did not believe him for one second because he had his hand behind his back and looked very mischievous. I responded by saying, “Oh no, no, no, no, you are going to put an animal in my hand.” The boys around him explained, “Oh no, no, no, Miss, he has a gift for you, like a Christmas ornament.” I believed the boys would never tell a lie, so I went along with it. Trusting that nothing bad was going to happen, I closed my eyes and put out my hand out to receive the gift. Lo and behold, Jorge Luis put a frog in my hand. I could not believe it and all I could think was, “Oh my God, there is a frog in my hand. He really put a frog in my hand!” Delayed in my response, I screamed, and Jorge doubled over laughing. This is one of my most fond memories thus far at the ‘hogar’ because before this had happened, Jorge Luis had never talked to me.  t was one of first times he had ever approached or talked to me and ever since this we have had a beautiful joking relationship. For Jorge Luis, this is a big deal, he tends to be more closed off and to himself and will not bother to interact with someone unless he has some level of confidence. From the frog incident on, Jorge Luis calls me ‘bruja’ and asks me where my frog is.

Genevieve and Juan de Dios

AMIGUITA OF THE WEEK ~ Susana

Susana in the new clothes she received on Christmas Eve

Susana's spunky, energetic, and cheerful personality bring light to the entire Amigos de Jesus family. With her wide grin and sparkly laugh, she can turn the most negative of situations into a positive one. In class, Susana is an eager student, barely able to contain herself from jumping from her seat when she knows an answer. Her best-known characteristic is probably her talent for performing. You can most often find her singing and dancing around the 'hogar'...whether she has an audience or not! Susana lives at Amigos with her older brother, Alexi (age 16) and is in Level 2 of the EducaTodos program at the Amigos de Jesus school.

1. Birthday: November 23rd (age )
2. Member of the Amigos de Jesus family since: 2012
3. Favorite classes in school: English and Spanish
1. Why? Because I like to speak both languages.
4. Who is your favorite teacher: Profe Vany
1. Why? She plays with me and shares with me and I love her a lot.
5. What is something interesting you learned in class this week? We learned about friendship in 'valores' (religion) class.
6. What do you like to do in your free time? Dance to 'La Pata Negra' (the song she performed at the Amigos talent show last summer).
7. What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher
8. Who are some of your friends at Amigos? Hector and Alexi (her older brother, who is 16)
9. What are you most thankful for? Being healthy
10. Who is someone who has been role model for you at Amigos? Miss Cristina (Kristen Fink, 2012-13 volunteer)
1. Why? She is very caring and always played with me and she gave my brother and me classes when we first arrived at Amigos.
11. Favorite colors: Yellow and black
12. Favorite food: Hamburgers
13. Favorite movies: i, Robot and Frozen

Celebrating Valentine's Day

Susana and her older brother, Alexi

Susana with her sponsor from the U.S., Anita Robbins

AMIGUITO OF THE WEEK ~ Cecilio

Christmas 2015

     Cecilio is five years old.  He, along with his buddy Isaias, is the spark that ignites Hogar 6.  His imagination, energy, and personality infuse the house and all of Amigos de Jesus with spirit and laughter.

     Cecilio is in Prepa, which is synonymous with kindergarten here in Honduras.  In preparation for Christmas, his class was making colorful paper evergreen trees. 

Not content to hang his on the display provided by Profe Ana, Cecilio took his tree and very deliberately attached it prominently to the classroom door—with plenty of glue, of course. 

     Another day during free play, Cecilio handed me a block (cell phone) and promptly instructed me to call Profe Osman (Cecilio).  “Profe Osman” hefted his briefcase (Leap Pad) and strode around the classroom barking orders into his cell phone, telling me in clipped tones, “I’m coming now.  We have work to do.”   

     One of Cecilio’s favorite things to do outside of the classroom is to play on the tobogan—which is a big, blue slide—with his friends.  They will spend hours going up and down the slide and will look for ingenious ways to make themselves go even faster.  They used flattened, empty 2-liter soda bottles as coasters until they were banned.  Cecilio will often call to me from across the yard, “MISS! VENGA!”, which translates to, “Miss! Come here!”  With only a little assistance, Cecilio can jump up and attach himself around my waist numerous times in a row.  It is only when I become tired and fear that I can no longer hold him that we stop; he could continue jumping indefinitely.

     There is an image of Cecilio that perfectly sums up his personality.  He is walking jauntily across the lawn in front of the comedor on a Sunday afternoon, swinging his arms and wearing his baseball cap at an angle, humming to himself and looking like a cross between one of the Little Rascals and the hip-hop star Lil’ Wayne.  Cecilio is a mischievous sprite who enlivens the community of Amigos de Jesus. 

   ~ Genevieve Volpe, 2015-16 volunteer

Exploring

Cecilio with 2015-16 volunteers Audra and Keri

Cecilio receiving his present on Three Kings Day 2016 (January 6th)

AMIGO OF THE WEEK ~ Madrina Reina and Padrino Edwin

1. How long have you both been at Amigos de Jesus? 
   
   
   Reina:  I will have been here three years in July.
   Edwin: In October it will be three years since I’ve been here.
   
   
2. Where were you and what were you doing before you came to Amigos de Jesus?
   
   
   Reina: This is my first job out of college.  I got my degree in journalism and then  
               began to look for a job, and I found Amigos.
   Edwin: Before I came here, I was also studying at the university in San Pedro
                Sula. 
   
   
3. How did you hear about Amigos de Jesus?

Reina: I saw an advertisement in La Prensa (the newspaper).  I came to Amigos

first, and then Edwin came.

Edwin: At that point there weren’t many men (padrinos) working with the kids at

Amigos, there were mostly madrinas.  When I came to visit Reina, I liked it here, and so I applied for a position here after a few months.

     4.  What is your favorite part about being a padrino or madrina at Amigos de Jesus?

 

Reina: We get to share in the kids’ lives; because we’ve been here for almost

             three years, we can see how they’ve grown and developed, how their

             behavior has improved. 

Edwin: The sincere love that the children offer to everyone.  Also, to Reina’s

             point about seeing the kids grow and develop, I was one of the first

             padrinos to work with the chiquitos (small children).  I was there when

             the first three chiquitos (Kati, Kenia, and Sylvia) moved from the

             chiquitos dormitory to a dormitory for older children.     

5. Do either of you have a favorite story about one of the children at Amigos de Jesus?

Edwin: Jeymi has always been a little jealous of Reina because she considers me to be her dad.  She doesn’t like when Reina stands next to me and tries to get in between us.  A similar situation happened with Luan (Reina and Edwin’s three-month-old baby boy).  When Jeymi found out we were going to have a baby, she was angry and said she was not going to love the baby.  Once I reassured her that even though I was becoming a father and would have my own child, that wouldn’t change the relationship that she and I have, Jeymi began to be excited for the baby to come and said she would love and care for him.

Reina:  It was the same for me with Jeymi when she was little.  She was very

            attached to me and didn’t like when I would talk to Edwin on the phone.

            I would try to put her on the phone and she would say, “No quiero hablar

            con ese feo!” (I don’t want to talk to that ugly guy!)

Edwin: I remember Jefferson being a little temperamental as a toddler.  One day

             he started crying at three o’clock in the afternoon, “Papa Ed-win! Papa

             Ed-win!” I tried to comfort him, but he still kept crying and crying.  At

             ten o’clock that night everyone had gone to bed, and all you could hear

             was Jefferson crying, “Papa Ed-win!  Papa Ed-win!”

Reina: I remember when the children were baptized in 2014, they gave me seven

           godchildren!  Of all ages!

Edwin and Reina:  One of the best memories is when some of the kids came to

           visit our house in La Lima during the October vacation last year.  The kids

           are always asking us what we did, what we ate, where did we go when we

           come back from descanso (break).  When the kids came home with us, they

           got to see our lives at home and be a part of them.  We took them to the

           beach, out to eat, to the movies.  They met our families when we celebrated

           Juan de Dios’s birthday. Juan became close to Reina’s grandmother—he

           still asks how she is all the time.  It was a really great experience. 

6. How is it being a new parent while being a padrino/madrina to the children at Amigos de Jesus?

Reina: It’s the most important job, but it isn’t as complicated as I thought it    

            would be.  Being with the chiquitos prepared me quite a bit.

Edwin: The support that everyone here at Amigos has given us to be able to bring

             Luan here has been very helpful.  Being a new father is something very

             beautiful.  I came here with some experience changing diapers because I

             used to help care for my little cousins.  Then I changed Cecilio and

             Jefferson’s diapers.  At this point with my own son I am a diaper

             changing specialist!