Party Preparation

Thursday 15 October

Today at the safe house we did exactly as the title describes, we prepared for our party tomorrow (Friday). Our preparation consisted of making decorations including the classic favourite; paper chains, using exceptionally bright colours!

To be able to work effectively it is highly important that party organisers are not working on empty stomachs as such milk and cookies were provided for all, which worked a treat as a motivator creating exceptionally smiley, happy paper chain makers!



The girls really enjoyed learning to make something different and although it is a simple concept it was very effective in keeping them entertained. The girls are like all children, sponges just absorbing everything they are taught. It is such a joy to carry out new activities with them because they have such an eagerness and enthusiastic attitude to want to learn new skills and try different things.

When I got to the safe house today I had noticed that the atmosphere was a little subdued and a couple of the girls appeared to be upset, but when I asked what the matter was they would not say, put on a brave face and told me everything was fine, however, it was very clear that was not the case. I felt so helpless as they wouldn´t talk to me but not wanting to push the matter I decided that a big hug in the absence of being able to do anything else was the correct form of action and given the reciprocaton to the hug it seemed to be the best form of action.

The girls are just extraordinary, not once during the last two weeks have I ever seen them complain, whinge or moan about anything regardless of whether they are in sewing class, kitchen or child minding duty nor have I ever seen them squabble amongst each other, just a few reasons making these girls special.

Today for the first time one of the ladies (Paulina) at the safe house asked for some help from me by way of requesting some clothes for herself and her five year old son Juan, she explained that she and Juan had no clothes other than those they were wearing because they had to leave their house in a hurry not being able to bring anything with them but also that she had no clothes to bring with her because her husband had burnt them all and had then proceeded to beat her and her son. It was heartbreaking listening to what Paulina had been through, it was also quite clear looking at Juan that her husband had also caused the burn marks on Juan's beautiful face. I was at the safe house when they first arrived and Juan was understandably very quiet and clinging on to his mother, however, today he seemed to have come out of his shell and appeared to be happily playing with the other little ones and was also interacting with me, the girls had clearly made him feel so very welcome, feel safe and at ease that it really does feel like one big family the way they all rally around each other when they need to, it is truly amazing considering what traumatic experiences they have all been through which is just another reason why they all deserve some happiness in their lives, tomorrow I have just the the thing in mind to provide them with some truly deserved fun and happiness...