T-Shirt Painting

T-Shirt painting was our most recent activity with the kids at the orphanage. Here is Nena, who did a pretty good job of painting her name for a 5 year old. She was too focused to look up at the camera.

...and Nena's older sister, Indiana, with her shirt.
Jessica & her shirt

Raileni ...so much for painting the shirt. ...somehow she's still cute, even with green Shrek hands.

Ty from Extreme Home Makeover?

Bryan (who one of our English teachers now refers to as Ty, from Extreme Home Makeover) has been busy with lots of projects around the English Institute this week ...repairing the floors on the 4th floor, building 3 more bunkbeds for future interns, and converting a former office area into a bedroom for future interns who will live here.

Here he is upstairs working on the flooring project.

Meghan & Carmelo

One of our interns, Meghan, teaching Carmelo some tricks outside on Sunday.

Peluqueria Andres (Andres' Barber Shop)

Andres, 15, is the usual hair cutter for the younger boys at the orphanage. This Sunday though, Kelvin worked the trimmers while Andres finished up with the razor. Not all of the younger boys get their hair cut at once ...this time it was Gregory, Domingo and Moncho who were due for a trim.

Here's Kelvin starting on Gregory's hair while Domingo watches.

Moncho holds VERY still while Andres uses a razor around the edges
Kelvin and Gregory

Kelvin and Andres holding their "customers" heads steady

Andres towel drying Moncho's head to finish up

Bryan & Marianny

Bryan & Marianny after playing a card game invented by Marianny.

Sunglasses pics

Raileni & Amy

again
Marianny & Amy

again

Jennifer

Jennifer's Sunday photo opp.

... causin trouble ...

... trying to do a hand stand

Kelvin and Jennifer

Estrella, Jennifer & toothless Domingo

Misc.

A few recent shots from the orphanage ... here are Nena and Moncho

A close up of Raileni
a close up of Carmelo

and little Jennifer ...who isn't so little anymore ...here she is with her green haired barbie and a sassy little halter top.

we've got TRIPLETS!

Three real-life triplets straight outta Monte Cristi ... these 3 girls are in one of our English classes this year. They are hard to tell a part- especially when they dress alike.

Pool Time

After a full week of teaching, work projects, and studying (for Santos and Jazmin), we spent Friday afternoon poolside at Hostal San Fernando. We tried to make it an all-English outing so that Santos, Jazmin and their friend Manuel got some extra conversation practice in for the week.

Here are Bryan, Jazmin, Manuel, Santos and Meghan jumping into the pool.

In the pool, trying to get a pic using the self timer on our camera.
Amy & Jazmin

Meghan and Bryan trying to hold Santos down for a picture.

Santos' pool tricks ... trick #1- the flop

trick #2- the back flip

trick #3- the hand stand

Watering Bryan ...

On Sunday afternoons the little girls wash their hair (or at least wet it down with the hose) so that the older girls can help them style it for church. Here are Raisa and Raileni helping Bryan with his hair.

Raisa, Jessica, Raileni and Bryan
Jessica getting drenched

Jessica & Raileni

Toothless Wonder

Saqueo and Domingo ... Domingo lost 2 teeth in the past couple of weeks.

Night Concert

On Saturday night the older kids got to go to a concert near the private Catholic school. Here I am with Jose Luis, who was the youngest of the older kids who got to attend.

Jazmin and I, waiting outside before entering the concert.

Franchesca & Jazmin

Franchesca came to the orphanage in May. She was very weak and malnourished back then. Now, almost 5 months later, she is a lot stronger and healthier & runs around with the rest of the kids. Here is Jazmin with Franchesca on a Sunday earlier this month.

Limoncillos

Cristofer and Bryan with Limoncillos, the fruit that grows on the neighbor's tree behind our building. They have a citrus flavor but the texture is kind of like an eye ball. They are sold in little bunches like what Bryan has in his hand.

Turantula Hunt!

Bryan had some of the boys demonstrate how to find a turantula for the Serve and Learn video project he is working on. Once the boys find a hole, they fill it with water and wait for the spider to come out, then they grab it by squeezing the body or putting it on a stick.

Jose Luis ready with a stick, waiting for the spider to come out.
Rafael with one of the many turantulas they were able to catch.