Yes, I am ecstatic to come home to family and friends. Yes, I am relieved to speak English consistently again. Yes, I am glad to participate in activities such as cooking, going to church, and grocery shopping. However, there are many things I will miss after my 16-week stay in Câmpina.
1.) Gorgeous weather and beautiful scenery.
2.) Receiving countless hugs and kisses daily.
3.) Paying $0.40 for a loaf of whole-wheat bread.
4.) Fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden...every day.
5.) Homemade ice cream, jam, and honey.
6.) Meeting various people from Italy and attempting to speak their language.
7.) Passing people "walking" their cows, goats, and horses.
and the things I will not miss...
1.) Listening to unnecessary castigations, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
2.) Wondering which pieces of clothes will not return from the laundry.
3.) The dogs: chasing me on my runs and barking incessantly at night.
4.) The slow pace and uncertain nature of tasks being accomplished.
5.) Hearing the phrases "Te rog frumos" and "Hie repede" repeatedly.
6.) Not being able to fully express myself verbally-- to both the children and the caregivers.
7.) Smoking. Everywhere.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Every End has a New Beginning
It's been quite a journey here at Casa Sperantei. Even still it seems like a couple weeks ago that the children dragged me around asking, "What is this?" (one of the few English phrases they knew), and giggling at each word I pronounced in English. Or they growled in frustration because I couldn't understand them. Clearly I have come a long way in the communication department.
For the final week Iulia and I took two groups of children to nearby playgrounds to clean-up the garbage that litters them. Another group of the smaller children cleaned-up around Casa Speranței. While this was a good activity for them, I know just one volunteering experience will not serve to increase their social interests and empathy development. However, it's definitely a step in the right direction (not to mention later in the week Iulia heard one of the little ones tell the others not to throw trash on the ground). Unfortunately my dream of taking some of the children to a clinic with children with disabilities to distribute their cards and teach games/songs was not realized due to failed connections. Iulia assures me that she will continue to look for opportunities for the children to visit children who are sick or disabled.
On Thursday groups from our anger management sessions presented what they have learned to all the other children. We were impressed with their ideas for the presentations, and just as impressed with the actual performances. Two pairs put on puppets shows that conveyed the importance of speaking nicely to each other, as well as strategies to use when you get angry and want to say something mean. I'm not sure how much the other children gleaned from the shows, but I know those presenting will have to "own" their behaviors a bit more now. Iulia expressed her dedication in continuing these sessions with the children and getting even more children involved.
Knowing that this marked my last week here the children all begged to come play one last time. Each day I was met by myriad children who inquired, "Chi lo prendi?!" ("Who are you taking?!") or "Posso venire con te?" ("Can I come with you?"). While I had anticipated this it still was difficult to not grant each child this opportunity. Amidst wrapping everything up here I wasn't able to meet with as many children as I hoped. Nevertheless I still spent some time on the computer with a handful of children and played with another handful one-on-one. It will be a difficult adjustment for them to not have this individual time any more, but I know it helped a lot of them develop their socio-behavioral skills, competence, and self-regulation.
Overall it's been an undulating, challenging, rewarding learning experience. I'm forever indebted to Iulia for her wonderful support, knowledge, translation skills, and dedication. Without her (and Sister Marisa) none of this would have been possible. It's also comforting to know someone like Iulia will remain at Casa Speranței to continue to make progress with both the caregivers and children. I look forward to my future contacts with her to get an update on the happenings here.
For the final week Iulia and I took two groups of children to nearby playgrounds to clean-up the garbage that litters them. Another group of the smaller children cleaned-up around Casa Speranței. While this was a good activity for them, I know just one volunteering experience will not serve to increase their social interests and empathy development. However, it's definitely a step in the right direction (not to mention later in the week Iulia heard one of the little ones tell the others not to throw trash on the ground). Unfortunately my dream of taking some of the children to a clinic with children with disabilities to distribute their cards and teach games/songs was not realized due to failed connections. Iulia assures me that she will continue to look for opportunities for the children to visit children who are sick or disabled.
On Thursday groups from our anger management sessions presented what they have learned to all the other children. We were impressed with their ideas for the presentations, and just as impressed with the actual performances. Two pairs put on puppets shows that conveyed the importance of speaking nicely to each other, as well as strategies to use when you get angry and want to say something mean. I'm not sure how much the other children gleaned from the shows, but I know those presenting will have to "own" their behaviors a bit more now. Iulia expressed her dedication in continuing these sessions with the children and getting even more children involved.
Knowing that this marked my last week here the children all begged to come play one last time. Each day I was met by myriad children who inquired, "Chi lo prendi?!" ("Who are you taking?!") or "Posso venire con te?" ("Can I come with you?"). While I had anticipated this it still was difficult to not grant each child this opportunity. Amidst wrapping everything up here I wasn't able to meet with as many children as I hoped. Nevertheless I still spent some time on the computer with a handful of children and played with another handful one-on-one. It will be a difficult adjustment for them to not have this individual time any more, but I know it helped a lot of them develop their socio-behavioral skills, competence, and self-regulation.
Overall it's been an undulating, challenging, rewarding learning experience. I'm forever indebted to Iulia for her wonderful support, knowledge, translation skills, and dedication. Without her (and Sister Marisa) none of this would have been possible. It's also comforting to know someone like Iulia will remain at Casa Speranței to continue to make progress with both the caregivers and children. I look forward to my future contacts with her to get an update on the happenings here.
Outcomes?
We met with the caregivers on Monday to review the principles they learned, complete various surveys, distribute therapy items and toys, and discuss follow-through components.
Here's a first glance at the process and outcome evaluations I tracked:
1. Meeting attendance:
Caregivers: 80.1%
Sisters: 13.9%
2. Caregiver Knowledge Survey: (Bear in mind this survey was created by myself, and some of the questions were not explicitly covered in the lesson plans...or were lost in translation.)
***Red sections were the primary focus of the weekly lessons
3. CBCL results pending until the caregivers complete them at the beginning of October.
4. Feedback from the caregivers:
*Strategies learned and currently use regularly: (Number of caregivers who gave the response)
>Time-out and rules regarding time-out (2)
>Break every 20 min. during homework time (3)
>Encouragement and praise when the children behave (2)
>Have the children repeat the instructions (3)
>Ask the children if they understand the instructions (2)
>Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
>Using "please" and "thank you" when speaking with the children
>Saying the instructions one time
*Strategies learned and want to use more often:
>Encouragement and praise when the children behave (3)
>Have the children repeat the instructions
>Time-out and rules regarding time-out
>Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
>Reading the rules together with the children
>Not paying as much attention to mistakes or using criticism
>Giving the children more freedom to express themselves
*Stategies learned and probably won't use:
>Saying the instructions one time (2)
>Enforcing the rules when the children disobey (3) [Yikes!]
>Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation
[It's nice to hear they have utilized or want to utilize many of the strategies we discussed, and that many of them gave similar responses. Now increasing the consistency will be key...]
Here's a first glaces at the lessons learned during my time here:
1. You can't help everyone, but you can positively change something.
2. Modeling and immediate feedback matters.
3. Love is a powerful therapy tool.
4. Advocacy never escapes the mind of a devoted therapist.
5. More occupational therapists need to be involved in orphanages.
6. Community practice requires flexibility without compromising goals.
7. Age makes a difference; so does effective communication.
Here's a first glance at the process and outcome evaluations I tracked:
1. Meeting attendance:
Caregivers: 80.1%
Sisters: 13.9%
2. Caregiver Knowledge Survey: (Bear in mind this survey was created by myself, and some of the questions were not explicitly covered in the lesson plans...or were lost in translation.)
Pre (% correct) | Post (% correct) | |
Health Outcomes | 43 | 37 |
Development | <><><><><> <>70 | <><><><><> <>87 | <><><><><> <>
Behavioral Issues | 53 | 67 |
Sensory Concerns | 40 | 64 |
TOTAL | 52 | 64 |
3. CBCL results pending until the caregivers complete them at the beginning of October.
4. Feedback from the caregivers:
*Strategies learned and currently use regularly: (Number of caregivers who gave the response)
>Time-out and rules regarding time-out (2)
>Break every 20 min. during homework time (3)
>Encouragement and praise when the children behave (2)
>Have the children repeat the instructions (3)
>Ask the children if they understand the instructions (2)
>Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
>Using "please" and "thank you" when speaking with the children
>Saying the instructions one time
*Strategies learned and want to use more often:
>Encouragement and praise when the children behave (3)
>Have the children repeat the instructions
>Time-out and rules regarding time-out
>Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
>Reading the rules together with the children
>Not paying as much attention to mistakes or using criticism
>Giving the children more freedom to express themselves
*Stategies learned and probably won't use:
>Saying the instructions one time (2)
>Enforcing the rules when the children disobey (3) [Yikes!]
>Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation
[It's nice to hear they have utilized or want to utilize many of the strategies we discussed, and that many of them gave similar responses. Now increasing the consistency will be key...]
Here's a first glaces at the lessons learned during my time here:
1. You can't help everyone, but you can positively change something.
2. Modeling and immediate feedback matters.
3. Love is a powerful therapy tool.
4. Advocacy never escapes the mind of a devoted therapist.
5. More occupational therapists need to be involved in orphanages.
6. Community practice requires flexibility without compromising goals.
7. Age makes a difference; so does effective communication.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Taking Things in Strides
Surprise! Another volunteer group showed up Saturday night-- and we thought no more would be coming...how silly of us. However, because the children have not participated in our group sessions for two weeks due to Iulia's vacation I decided to nix them for this week. My outlook in working alongside the group started out positive but slowly began to fade as the week progressed. While I was still able to conduct the anger management sessions with Iulia and the computer lessons with the little kiddos, my one-on-one/two-on-one time with the children suffered greatly. Not to mention we were forced to push back the final "review" meeting for the caregivers to Monday (which means poorer attendance because two of them will be on vacation next week before the school year begins). With so many children returning from Italy this past week and already trying to reintegrate I'm not convinced having this volunteer group was the best for them (i.e. being shuffled from activity to activity after enjoying the freedoms of being in a small family setting). Plus, a couple noticeably regressed from the progress we had made with them after returning from their trip to Italy, which is obviously frustrating (probably due to the difficulty of the transition). I cannot stress enough the importance of consistency for these children!
On Tuesday I conducted my last lesson plan with the caregivers-- it's hard to believe! We talked about different ways we regulate our senses without being aware of it, and how some of these might be useful to teach children who struggle to do this independently (or use less appropriate strategies). Then I gave them therapy tools and ideas for sensory regulation before the children do homework or quiet activities. Many are similar to those I gave related to behaviors (which makes remembering them easier), but some of the new ones can definitely benefit the children. While I think they appreciated learning these sensory techniques, I also believe they are glad to be done with the meetings. However, I will be recommending that they continue to meet on a weekly basis (with Iulia) to discuss with each other specific strategies/techniques that work with specific children, ask/answer any questions that arose, and gain more information related to topics of interest. These meetings will be more informal but also very beneficial; and they might help them integrate the strategies more and increase consistency of responding to the children. On Monday we have our "wrap-up"/"review" meeting where I will give outcome/feedback surveys, tie-up a lot of loose ends, and address any pressing concerns.
For the anger management sessions this week Iulia and I first reviewed the strategies discussed from two weeks ago and inquired whether the children had used them. "I forgot" or "I didn't need to" were common excuses from the children, while others cited specific examples of when they utilized them. Through the week I reminded several of them to use the techniques in various situations which I believe was useful for them recognizing when they might need to calm themselves down. I also observed a couple use some of the strategies without them being aware that they did it. The more practice (and more comfortable) the children get in using the strategies will obviously benefit them more. After this review we had them play the "Good Decisions Game"-- a game I created where each scenario has two choices to make. Once the child made a choice he/she moved to the corresponding response where the scenario continued. At the end of a series of choices the child found out how his/her day turned out based on all the decisions made. Finally we had them watch a powerful YouTube video on the consequences of bullying, which I believe positively affected each of them in some way. Many of them noted at the conclusion of the video that they didn't want to be the bully, they wanted to be the person who helped the child being bullied. Sometimes I think children (and adults) aren't aware of what they look like when they perform certain actions; this was a good way of illustrating how their anger can impact others.
A huge success for the week came yesterday when Iulia and I installed the educational games on the children's computer. It finally has a sound driver (thanks to Iulia's technological skills) to run the programs and for the children to listen to music. Iulia hopes to make a weekly schedule for using the computer; I suggested creating a check-out system for the CDs. The older girls played a couple of the games last night and listened to some of the music I put on the computer; this morning they excitedly told me how much fun the games are and how much they enjoy the songs. They are eager to play the other games that require a CD. Thank you to those who donated money-- with which I bought several of the computer games-- and to those who donated educational computer games. Know that you brought smiles to many children!
On Tuesday I conducted my last lesson plan with the caregivers-- it's hard to believe! We talked about different ways we regulate our senses without being aware of it, and how some of these might be useful to teach children who struggle to do this independently (or use less appropriate strategies). Then I gave them therapy tools and ideas for sensory regulation before the children do homework or quiet activities. Many are similar to those I gave related to behaviors (which makes remembering them easier), but some of the new ones can definitely benefit the children. While I think they appreciated learning these sensory techniques, I also believe they are glad to be done with the meetings. However, I will be recommending that they continue to meet on a weekly basis (with Iulia) to discuss with each other specific strategies/techniques that work with specific children, ask/answer any questions that arose, and gain more information related to topics of interest. These meetings will be more informal but also very beneficial; and they might help them integrate the strategies more and increase consistency of responding to the children. On Monday we have our "wrap-up"/"review" meeting where I will give outcome/feedback surveys, tie-up a lot of loose ends, and address any pressing concerns.
For the anger management sessions this week Iulia and I first reviewed the strategies discussed from two weeks ago and inquired whether the children had used them. "I forgot" or "I didn't need to" were common excuses from the children, while others cited specific examples of when they utilized them. Through the week I reminded several of them to use the techniques in various situations which I believe was useful for them recognizing when they might need to calm themselves down. I also observed a couple use some of the strategies without them being aware that they did it. The more practice (and more comfortable) the children get in using the strategies will obviously benefit them more. After this review we had them play the "Good Decisions Game"-- a game I created where each scenario has two choices to make. Once the child made a choice he/she moved to the corresponding response where the scenario continued. At the end of a series of choices the child found out how his/her day turned out based on all the decisions made. Finally we had them watch a powerful YouTube video on the consequences of bullying, which I believe positively affected each of them in some way. Many of them noted at the conclusion of the video that they didn't want to be the bully, they wanted to be the person who helped the child being bullied. Sometimes I think children (and adults) aren't aware of what they look like when they perform certain actions; this was a good way of illustrating how their anger can impact others.
A huge success for the week came yesterday when Iulia and I installed the educational games on the children's computer. It finally has a sound driver (thanks to Iulia's technological skills) to run the programs and for the children to listen to music. Iulia hopes to make a weekly schedule for using the computer; I suggested creating a check-out system for the CDs. The older girls played a couple of the games last night and listened to some of the music I put on the computer; this morning they excitedly told me how much fun the games are and how much they enjoy the songs. They are eager to play the other games that require a CD. Thank you to those who donated money-- with which I bought several of the computer games-- and to those who donated educational computer games. Know that you brought smiles to many children!
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