OVC Christmas Party

Today from 9:00 - 12:00 AM, was the OVC Christmas party. It was raining very hard, and so we couldn't use the pool (which I was previously supposed to be in charge of) or the playground any more. Everyone met in Mrs. Henderson's room to discuss 'plan B'. We decided to have a drawing station, a movie station, a clothes and books section, and a breakfast section. I volunteered to be jointly in charge of the drawing section.

I draw with a kid

After we had finished planning we all sorted out the books and clothes, and I set out the sketchbooks in the classroom that the drawing would take place in. I was pleasantly surprised at how many people had donated items, and at the end of the day there were stills some clothes left over!

We then went down the road to collect the children, it was very cold and wet and they all had hoodies on.

Parijat (Interact president) with the kids as they choose clothes

For about three hours or so groups of kids came through our station. They were all given a sketchbook to draw in, and there were pencils, pastels and pens laid out on the tables for them to use. 

When our first group arrived we told them to draw a picture of themselves and something that they liked to do, but most of the children ignored us and did what they wanted. Nearly all of them drew people and cars, and some were actually quite good. 

At one point a few interact members set up the speakers and played music, and two or three kids went up and danced! 

I went around and complimented them on their drawings and talked to them, making friends with a lot of the children during the course of the party.

It was over almost too soon, and the children traipsed away with large plastic bags filled with books and clothes, and wide smiles plastered on their faces. 

I think that this was an amazing experience for me, as I loved seeing how happy the kids were to be at ISK and meeting us all. It also opened up my eyes to just how little they have, and how much a simple book or t-shirt will mean to them. We take these things for granted, and I feel that this opened up my eyes to how appreciative I should be of my good fortune. I can't wait to meet up with the OVC children again!