Nicaragua: Day 7, and Day 8: last two days at the school

Day 7:

                Today was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I spent my morning doing physical therapy home visits with Carmen Margarita and Jenna. We went to a total of 7 houses, but only 3 of them were home. The first house that was home was a really nice house compared to the houses we’ve seen so far. The little boy’s name was Andy and he was 3 ½ and he had Cerebral Palsy. I wasn’t worried at all about this child’s living conditions or anything because around town they call his house the “dream house”, he seemed happy and also he was well fed and nourished.
                The next house we visited was the exact opposite of Andy’s. The little girl’s name was Marisol, and when we walked into the path to their house, her mom told me that the outhouse-looking shack in the corner of their yard is their old house, and then we walked into the new one. The mom had 3 children, and herself to take care of. Her youngest daughter, Marisol, was the skinniest girl I have ever seen in my life. She was three and a half (same age as Andy) and she was literally skin and bones. My thumb was the size of her wrist, and if you put a wedding ring on her wrist, it could slide to her elbow with ease. Imagine how tiny this child was. I felt like if I touched her, I could break her. Her mother told us they couldn’t afford any food for their family, and yet the sister and mother were in perfect condition and a little overweight. I could tell the mother really wanted to help Marisol, but also felt like there were better ways she could have.
                The last house we visited had a one year old daughter, Alexandra, who was diagnosed with a tumor in her lower back. When she had it removed when she was a baby, it resulted in her loss of use of her legs. She was paralyzed from the waist down. She was so cute, and she was only one year old. She looked healthy and fed well. Their family had a dad, uncle, mom, sister, and grandfather and they were all healthy looking and happy. Their living conditions weren’t as nice… they lived in a dirty shack where everything seemed gross and unsanitary. I found out the mother had HIV and they were yet to know if Alexandra has it.
                Tomorrow is our last day at the school… I really, really hope that all those families will come to the going away party at the school tomorrow and I really hope to see them there.

Day 8:

                I have never felt so attached to 84 children in my life. I was completely surprised about the bond I had built with these children over a course of 7 days. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life, and the worst part is I think some of the children still think we will see them on Monday.
                We spent the morning getting all the things ready for the fiesta we were throwing the children when they had lunch. They ate lunch at 10 in the morning (because most of the children do not eat breakfast, so it’s almost like a brunch for the students), so we had to set everything up before then. We were handing out donated clothes (thank you!!) to the students all morning and it was so cute to have them be so proud of something we don’t really give much attention to. When we showed up this morning we saw Ramon wearing the shirt we gave him yesterday, and it was the cutest thing in the entire world.
                When the fiesta started we had the children all eat, then we all walked outside to start the piñata. Kevin and I handed out cookies, sweets, fruits, candies, etc. to all the students and teachers prior to hitting both the piñatas. I was so so so so so happy when I saw Marisol and her mother show up to the party and I gave them some clothes, food, and candy. I hope they enjoyed it. Once all the children had their food and desserts, the piñata started. The second it broke, the children went insane. I have never seen kids wanting candy as much as they did. It was cute, but also a little scary and different.
                After the piñatas were broken, everyone had their clothes, everyone had food and desserts, and everyone was happy the presents were given to us. Students had made us bags and given us presents inside of them. I was given a small handmade jewlrey box, and a necklace hanger (it looked like a miniature coat hanger). I started crying when I hugged the little boy that gave it to me, well... until he bit my ear in front of everyone... I still loved him though. Everyone was given presents and gifts and then we said our goodbyes. I love these children so much and they will always forever have a place in my heart. 

 If home is where the heart is, Escuela Especial por Maria Romero is my home.