Church Community Work(24/2/2013)

***sorry, it took me so long to post this.. I had really been busy in Uni. :)***

Opps.. Terbalik. :P anyway. This was my name tag, I wore it that day.

Last year during Christmas celebration, all the cell group member at church were asked to participate in some social groups for community work. There are refugee camp, prison, special care children, Mentari Tuition and so on. I wrote my name in the Special Need Children and Teenage group. I made the decision, mostly because I could get more familiar with what i am going to face during my clinical practice.. I want to know how to be with the kids and teenage with special needs.

Thanks to Priscilla, I had transport to church last Saturday morning for the community work. It was in the morning while the service is in the afternoon, but being an Occupational Therapy student, she felt that she has the experience to help up, and so, promised to attend until her mid sem, or before her posting starts.

About my first experience, I had so much to say.

Let's briefly talked about the activities first. At first, the kids and parents, whether Christian or non-Christian arrived. Some of them left their kids there for a few hours, and some of them stayed for the activity in the next room. There were quite a lot of helpers, including me. They were all regular helpers, while I am the new comer. I stood there, helping up with my physical strength(carry stuffs) cause I really don't know what to do. Being in the same room with the kids and teenagers, I did not know what I could really say or do.. Stacey and Emily came to me, convinced me to approach some kids and starts by asking their names and if our instinct told us the kids wants some space, we gave space. Just do what I think is right. I was scared and anxious at first, to be frank. I approached a young boy, and I was bad, the conversation stuck after I introduce myself, he was so shy. I didn't touch him, cause i was warned some autism kids doesn't like physical contact. i just smiled, and tried to initiate a talk, but failed. Thus, I just smiled the girl beside him. She is very sweet, she looked for the name tag on my shirt and pronounced my name, I called her name too and asked some random question. I was shivering inside, worried. Then, she suddenly stood up, and hugged me so tight, kept calling my name. It was really sweet. And I wonder why, I felt relieved that point. I continued introducing myself to some kids and I was getting better.

The activity started with Aunty Sherlyn gathering the kids and teenagers, giving them a talk about grouping. Some of the kids remembered their old group but some didn't. The first activity was some games. It may not be hard but the kids laughed happily. My worried and anxiety left me bit by bit without me realizing. I managed to get some girls talking to me while helping. One of the twins told me she visited uncle and got red packet, softly on my ear. We was shy but she liked me, I was very happy, to be frank.

After that, it was the singing session. I stood beside an Indian lady. We distributed some sand bottle for them to shake while singing worship songs. Andy, a helper got two and the lady pointed and said two. I understood and offered her mine. She pushed it back and pointed to the stage, where the extras were there. I told her softly she could take mine but she insisted I should keep mine. We shaked and I sang with her. Until the song that we needs to show action, I offered her the bottle again, telling her, I will do the action, she can have mine. Of course, I kept remembering to smile. :) she smiled and took it to her. One thing cute about her is, she would point the ribbons that fell to the floor and she would point to kids who didn't behave. We had great time too.

There was a video session. The kids and teenagers watched "the birth of Jesus and the wise men". Some kids with ADHD couldn't pay attention of course, but we helpers sat and try getting their attention back. It was okay for me, cause it wasn't much different from what I did in nursery.

Then there was a calligraphy session and also a party. During the calligraphy session, a child with autism threw tantrum when she accidentally dropped her brush on the red paper. she shouted and when her mum stopped her, she slapped her mum. honestly, some of us were shocked and did not know what to do. Aunt Sheryn approached and talked to the child with a firm tone, telling her its not right. I saw the mother picking up the brush and then helping the child to write again. She was so loving and a smile remained on her face throughout the time. Aunt Sherlyn made her say sorry using a sign and we got back to out work. I am truely touched by her love and patience for the child. Parent is never an easy work to do. Aunt Sherlyn told me, having a special child is actually a blessed gift from God. It makes us see things differently. This lady is changed to a different but better person ever since she has her daughter. God has done so many wonders here, in this social group. 

After that, Aunt Sheryn came to my group and asked us to pray for each other. It is the first time I had ever prayed out loud for someone in public. It felt good. :) 

We had fun enjoying some food and chit-chatted with the people there. I left the place earlier due to the afternoon service. But, this was really a great experience for me. Looking forward for the next service. :) 

Tiff.