THE CHILDREN ARE HERE!

I want to shout it to all the world, "THE CHILDREN ARE HERE!!" My absolute favorite part of RSO is the children. Their little spirits bring the whole campus to life. I was very nervous, though, that the kids would not remember me. So many volunteers come through every summer I was expecting a lot of the kids to have completely forgotten who I was. It didn't help matter any that if they did remember me, it would be the me with long, blonde hair...not the me with super short brown hair. One of the other coordinators, Kim, told me something, though, that made me stop worrying. She told me that even if they don't remember me from before, I'm here for them know and they will just meet me and love me all over again.

With this sage wisdom, I approached Saturday with a bright and excited outlook. I was busy all morning helping Derek and Kim get stuff ready for the volunteers to come on Sunday, so I didn't make it over to the hostel to around 2:00pm. I went into the girls hostel looking for someone who may remember me....I recognized and remembered a few of the girls but they did not remember me. I started getting a little discouraged until I looked down and a small face was smiling up at me. I didn't recognize who it was in the first instant, but she definitely did. Her eyes lit up when I looked at her and she said, "You are back! I have missed you!" and hugged me as tight as can be around my waist. It was beautiful little Priya, but she was not as little anymore (see video on "Commence India Countdown post). She had grown quite a bit taller and her hair had grown as well, which is why it took me a second to realize it was her. Once I placed her, though, my heart soared. She had remembered me!! Priya is a child that connects and interacts with all the volunteers, she loves them all, so for her to remember me was something I was not expected. After we hugged and I told her I had missed her as well she asked why I had cut my hair and recalled the crazy trip to the hospital we took last year (if there was a lingering doubt she confused me with someone else it was definitely gone now). Even though I had prepared myself to not get down if the kids forgot me, it made me feel SO HAPPY that I had been remembered by someone. As the day wore on and I saw more and more kids, I was surprised by how many could place my face. They could not remember my name, but the recognition and memories from last summer were there.

Being at playtime with the kids was, just like last year, the highlight of my day. All of the children are so loving and kind, and being able to play and interact with them everyday makes me happier than just about anything else. They make RSO the incredible organization it is. I can't wait to continue reconnecting with the kids I knew from last year as well as meeting all the others (it is my goal to memorize all the children's names by the end of summer). I love these kids so much and it is a dream come true to be able to be with them again.

Vanakkam

More to come soon on the volunteers arrival and the start of the medical session!

Also! Friends and Family: if you sponsor a child and would like an informal, quick video of said child, let me know and I will make one with them during playtime or something :)