You'd think that because I love to travel and enjoy the freedom that comes with it, that I would hate routines and schedules... not so! After just three weeks of traveling around the south of Vietnam, I couldn't wait to really unpack my bag, get settled, and let myself fall into a comfortable rut. Ok, so maybe referring to working in an orphanage in Vietnam as a "rut" is not quite accurate, but it's still a routine, and I love it! There's a natural tendency to relax once we get used to our surroundings, and this week I've enjoyed finding my spot in the daily life of Thien Phuoc. The staff are also becoming accustomed to seeing me around. And best of all, the kids get excited when they know I will be showing up.
Here is what my regular day looks like:
6:20 - Wake up
6:30 - Feed the young ones breakfast. Every meal is a variation of rice pudding much like what was fed to the young kids in the Philippines.
7:15 - Dishes. There's a very specific technique that A. and I were coached on for days before they trusted us with this task.
7:30 - Breakfast: the orphanage provides me with instant noodles, I supplement with fruit and yogurt!
8:00 - Physiotherapy with the older children. I usually spent most of the morning on the massage machine, five minutes per child. If there's any leftover time I start doing some exercises with them, mostly stretching. Of course, I don't have any experience with doing this... I just hope I'm helping and not harming!
10:00 - Feed the young ones lunch, change diapers
10:45 - Dishes
11:00 - Lunch: rice, some type of meat, some type of vegetable (usually cabbage or carrots), vegetable soup.
11:30 - Head over to Silver Creek resort for a swim and some relaxation time. Perhaps some Vietnamese lessons.
14:00 - Snack time! The young ones each get a half bottle of milk. Or a piece of cake. (Yum!)
14:30 - More physiotherapy with the older children. I usually spend this time doing more physical exercises and try to get some of the more dexterous ones to try out some puzzles. Sometimes I'll bring down my ukulele and encourage them to dance along to my attempts at playing.
16:00 - Feed the young ones supper
16:45 - Dishes
17:00 - Supper: same as lunch
And free time!
In the evenings I usually go for a walk in the neighborhood. There's a salon that I enjoy visiting, the ladies there are very friendly and it's a good way to try out my rudimentary Vietnamese. Sometimes I venture further to pick up some fresh fruit or to eat a small something to supplement the frugal diet of the orphanage. I take some time to practice my ukulele, read, watch tv, and chat and play cards with A, my fellow volunteer. Bed time is around 10pm -- and by then, I'm exhausted!
Here is what my regular day looks like:
6:20 - Wake up
6:30 - Feed the young ones breakfast. Every meal is a variation of rice pudding much like what was fed to the young kids in the Philippines.
7:15 - Dishes. There's a very specific technique that A. and I were coached on for days before they trusted us with this task.
7:30 - Breakfast: the orphanage provides me with instant noodles, I supplement with fruit and yogurt!
8:00 - Physiotherapy with the older children. I usually spent most of the morning on the massage machine, five minutes per child. If there's any leftover time I start doing some exercises with them, mostly stretching. Of course, I don't have any experience with doing this... I just hope I'm helping and not harming!
10:00 - Feed the young ones lunch, change diapers
10:45 - Dishes
11:00 - Lunch: rice, some type of meat, some type of vegetable (usually cabbage or carrots), vegetable soup.
11:30 - Head over to Silver Creek resort for a swim and some relaxation time. Perhaps some Vietnamese lessons.
14:00 - Snack time! The young ones each get a half bottle of milk. Or a piece of cake. (Yum!)
14:30 - More physiotherapy with the older children. I usually spend this time doing more physical exercises and try to get some of the more dexterous ones to try out some puzzles. Sometimes I'll bring down my ukulele and encourage them to dance along to my attempts at playing.
16:00 - Feed the young ones supper
16:45 - Dishes
17:00 - Supper: same as lunch
And free time!
In the evenings I usually go for a walk in the neighborhood. There's a salon that I enjoy visiting, the ladies there are very friendly and it's a good way to try out my rudimentary Vietnamese. Sometimes I venture further to pick up some fresh fruit or to eat a small something to supplement the frugal diet of the orphanage. I take some time to practice my ukulele, read, watch tv, and chat and play cards with A, my fellow volunteer. Bed time is around 10pm -- and by then, I'm exhausted!
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