A Great Day as a Global Volunteer

It’s a brand new day in Anse La Raye, Tuesday March 20^th First day of spring (obviously not mentioned here). 

I got on the 8:30 am shuttle without my cohort in crime, Laurie, as she had left at 8:00 am to go on an earlier home visit.  When I arrived at Roving Caregivers headquarters, the library, at shortly before 9 am, Laurie was still there waiting for Chanelle who she was teaming up with.  Waiting is a big part of our daily schedule.

Agna, who I was going with arrived shortly after and we went up the hill.  Luckily, as compared to last week, we got a ride most of the way.  However as happens more times than not mother/child were not there.  Today was the health clinic for babies and that’s where we could find our mothers.  Fortunately we lucked out again and got a ride back down the hill.

The health clinic was a busy little place.  Mothers with their children waited a long time to be seen.  As  compared to the US where babies would be screaming and toddlers running around the waiting area, the lobby was filled with  children who didn’t cry.  It was nice to see everybody.  There were a few dads at the clinic who were accompanied by the mother’s grandmother as the mother was at work.  I have felt a great connection with these families and enjoyed the rest of the morning talking, walk, rocking and singing.

 I feel Laurie and I have really lucked out on our assignment.  We tell each other although we are officially known as Roving Caregivers; we feel we are as much as Roving Ambassadors for Global Volunteers in Anse La Raye. 

The Roving Caregiver program allows us to be a guest in the homes of Anse La Raye families who have children who are birth to three.  We are considered an emotional and social support along with providing learning opportunities and child development activities. 

Today was no different than other days.  We walk down the streets, alleys and the sheet metal gates that lead to more places, as we are walking we talk to the people, ask questions share laughs, try different foods, look at gardens which are plentiful and my personal quest to learn more about the “one pot”.  We spent time at the library experiencing the sounds of the street, the music, the cars, the voices, horns, trucks, the jackhammer as people go by and stop at the window, or sit on the porch for a spell. 

The evening meeting was highlighted by the “migrating Sand Cranes” card that was given to all of us by Dorothy.  What a great memory this will be.  Dinner was at Julieta’s with great food, great conversation and ending another great day as Global Volunteers in Anse La Raye.

- Gabby