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Posted by Mary Synk, intreped Romania volunteer!  Please come volunteer SOON!

Tiny Treasures

This past week, I have met some very special children and the wonderful people who care for them.  Two of the children were in isolation due to chicken pox, and that limited the number of children who could come from the placement center this week.  But I thoroughly enjoyed the children I did meet.

Alina is full of energy and joy.  I no sooner entered the room the first day than she stood on the top bar of her crib, and as soon as I got close enough, jumped and wrapped her arms and legs around me like a monkey.  She is active every minute.  She loves to sing.  The impact of previous volunteers is very evident.  She comes up to me and prompts me with "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "E I E I O" in perfect English. 

 Gabriela is quieter, and will play by herself, but her face lights up when I engage her one-on-one.  With her dark, deep eyes, it seems she is looking right into my soul.  The only problem is Alina gets very jealous if anyone else gets attention.  It's amazing how she can squirm her little body in between me and whoever else I am playing with.

 I will admit being a little nervous about meeting Delia, but I loved her from the first moment I saw her.  I discovered she likes to make funny faces and noises in the mirror.  It's fun to watch her mimic me.  I love playing on the floor with her, and watching her wiggle around, kick her leg and roll over.  When she laughs, her whole body laughs.

 Little Andre, just 11 months old seems so fragile.  When he cries, I want to cry too.  I watched Dan rub his back to comfort him, which seems all we can do for him right now. 

I felt awkward with Abel.  I didn't know how to relate to him.  I watched Dan help him walk, and he seemed to enjoy that, but I am a bit nervous about taking him out of his crib myself. 

 
Tiberiu joined us the last two days of the week.  He liked looking at the picture postcards and the pictures on the Memory game cards I brought.  On Friday, he had my undivided attention for awhile, sitting on my lap in the rocking chair.  He seemed very content, and to my amazement, Alina didn't even interrupt.

 All these children are wonderful, but it's little Cleo who has stolen my heart.  She has the most beautiful eyes and a genuine smile that lights up her whole face.  I think it is a smile of pure contentment when something delights her.   It is for her, that I selected this week's quote.  She cannot talk with words, but I can hear the song in her heart loud and clear.

I appreciate the opportunity to teach English in the middle school this week.  As much as I liked being with the children at the hospital, it is emotionally draining.  The afternoons at school were a good balance for me. 

 An added bonus of being here over the holidays is the pleasure of being invited to Christmas shows at school.  I attended one at the high school that showcased ALL the arts -- music, dancing, singing, acting, visual arts, origami, even culinary arts.  (OK, I will admit I snuck a few pastries in my purse which I enjoyed for breakfast the next day).

The show at the elementary school was delightful. I was amazed by the confidence of these young children to perform so well in front of family and friends.  I was especially impressed by 3rd graders performing a waltz and delightfully surprised by Mihaela's daughter's solo vocal in perfect English.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's Christmas party.  Now that I know the children a bit, it will be fun to pick out a special gift for each child. 

 I'm also very glad two more volunteers are arriving mid-week.  It will be so hard to leave these children.  Even just thinking about now makes me cry.  But it will be a bit easier knowing that there will be volunteers here to continue on, at least for a while. 

- Mary

Goodbyes and Happy Memories

Last working day for the team, and how bittersweet it was…sweet that we had this opportunity to work together as a Global Volunteers team serving the children and staff at the hospital, but bitter at having to say our last “pa” to the children and staff. 

It was a great “final” morning with the children.  I kept checking my watch dreading the one o’clock hour when we would say goodbye to the children before putting them in their cribs for naps.

Ken and Nila got several cakes and some Robby Bubble from the Berlin and we had a nice final celebration with the nurses, aides, and Coca.  After hugs and goodbyes, we headed back to the hotel.  Some spent the afternoon shopping, some relaxing, and some packing for the trip home.

Dinner was at Trattoria Da Vinci with Mihaela and Delia.  Then, back to the hotel to get rested up for tomorrow’s van ride to Bucharest and departure on our separate ways.

I certainly have many wonderful memories from the past two weeks.  “Our children” at the hospital are so special, and are in my thoughts and prayers.     

Winding Down

As we wind down the second week, the children have gotten used to us and how we have adapted to them and their schedule. We know who will eat heartily and who will not. Who needs lots of walks and who is happy to rock or cuddle.  Who needs an extra eye and who is content to play second fiddle.

We started our day with the usual breakfast and ride to the hospital. 

Then a morning visit to the referral center that cares for the children when they are not in the hospital. 

It was founded and funded by a combination of European charities and foundations. Based on a home- like atmosphere, it is divided by ages per building.  We toured the building outside the playground that is Sammy’s home.  There Sammy has a standard twin bed and a picture of him on the wall along with pictures of the others children who also live there.

The social worker told us through Dan that each building has three staff to take care of the children, including the cook.  We also toured physical therapy, speech therapy, and a sheltered workshop where participants sew and knit – in preparation of a craft fair; and water therapy  - which is in search of permanent funding for the current volunteer therapist.  Each building has its own kitchen, living room and laundry.

Then back to the hospital for a lunch of pizza and off to Berlin for respite and a little shopping.

After an afternoon of sticlas, some play outside and a couple of baths, we returned to the hotel for a short while – then a tour of Mihaela’s high school.

The high school is the 6th oldest in Romania founded with the stipulation by its patron that the students would learn the base of romance languages – Latin.

An impressive building, with a decorative façade, soaring enter staircase (reserved for faculty) and 14 foot ceilings, the school serves over 1000 students in two shifts.  The grounds also include a soccer field, a small garden, and the former home of the principal – now used as classrooms. Mihaela showed us the impressive assembly room and a typical classroom next to the faculty workroom.

After a short walk to the home of Mihaela and Dan (and a wave from Doral) we had a wonderful Romanian dinner.  Mihaela’s mother with the help of Dan, cooked a tasty dinner of baked chicken, roasted potatoes, zucchini, carrots, eggplant -  preceded by red peppers , tomatoes and a new treat for us- cheese with crushed black pepper. Mihaela’s  favorite ice cream and coffee topped off the meal for dessert.

We toured the apartment, and headed home to the hotel to begin our preparation for our last day with our little charges and thoughts of traveling soon to parts more familiar. Tomorrow will be bitter sweet as we have a shortened last day with the little ones and cakes for the staff to say good bye.

Some of us will return – some will not.  But the memories of these children will slightly permeate our thoughts from time to time, for a long and winding time.