hola from Santiago

So here it is! My very first blog entry coming to you from Santiago, Chile. What a whirlwind the last 2 months has been. I made the decision that YES I was actually going to try do this. I applied to VE Global, was accepted and started making plans. I decided to spend 4 months volunteering in Santiago, followed by 2 months traveling around South America. After everything felt like it was finally falling into place my hometown Christchurch literally decided to shake things up a little bit and have an earthquake the day I was supposed to fly out. With a little bit of luck that usually seems to be on my side, I arrived in Santiago one day later than I was supposed to, slightly frazzled, but with plenty of enthusiasm for what was ahead of me.

And what was that? A week of orientation with my 13 new amigos/fellow volunteers. We listened to many ‘charlas’ (speeches) in English AND Spanish, to arm us with as much information as possible to help prepare us for our institution placements and committee work we will be doing with VE Global. Of course we also spent this time getting know everyone, and I am happy to say that I really feel like we have a great group of people here.

The institution I have been placed in is called Aldea María Reina. I found out before I left New Zealand where I was going, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. Aldea is a hogar (home) for teenage girls between the ages of 12-18 years old. The girls have been removed from their homes for such reasons as abuse, abandonment or neglect. Our role within the institution is to provide recreational activities, emotional support, help with schoolwork and positive role models.

Today was the second day I have spent at Aldea. It feels somewhat surreal finally being here and walking around thinking that 2 months ago I didn’t even know this place existed, and now it’s impossible not to think what it will mean to me in 4 months time.

I am working with 2 other volunteers, Lily & Stephen at Aldea. Yesterday was our first day so I will try describe it to you a little.

We meet the girls who greet us with ¡Hola Tia! and a kiss on the cheek. Of course being newbies they ask us many questions, and then they grin and laugh at me when I have to try very hard to understand what they’ve asked me let alone answer them back in decent Spanish. I tell them my name is ‘Aleisha’ and get ‘Alicia’ back from them so that is what I am going by here. When I meet them I am introduced by Meghan (who already volunteers there) as the one who dances, as I have been told many times already that the girls here love to dance. They all ask me what type of dance I do, I think hoping I will say Reggaeton as that is what is popular over here. We play a few games with a football and then end up sitting around a table chatting and getting to know the girls. At the very end of our day, I am laughing my head off as the girls chant at me that they want me to dance for them (extra hilarious when at the time you have no idea what they’re actually yelling at you!) Next I am asked if I can do the ‘splits.’ I oblige feeling like an idiot but I have to say looking back it was pretty funny. Not to mention the fact that feeling like an idiot is a feeling I probably should get used to for the next month or so anyway!

There is so much else to write that I have missed out due to starting this late but I will fill in the gaps at some point I promise. Here is a picture of clase de septiembre de 2010 at the end of our orientation.