Whistle while you work

Work seems to be getting busier and busier. I am beginning to really find a place where I belong at each of the projects and am more comfortable and confident to do the things that I know how to do.

Sometimes it feels that I haven't really done anything, the language barrier makes it hard to take children on to do one on one and I don't always know what or how to do things because I haven't really been at that particular project that much yet (being there only one day a week). But then if I really do think about it, the smiles I see on some of the children's faces each day shows me that I am doing something and the skills I have learnt and developed over the past 4 years of uni are helping me. 

I have definitely been able to draw on my knowledge of swallowing and maximising swallowing potential and safety. Working with some of the children I have been able to make recommendations and alterations concerning their fluid thickness and the easiest way to get them to drink (e.g. using a straw). I have also been on the hunt for some tippy-cups, they don't seem to have any available in shops here and I know some of the projects do have them so if I can find them and use them...

At the same time I have been able to draw on my skills and understanding of how to engage with some of the children particularly those with disabilities. Last friday I spent a whole afternoon making funny noises and playing one on one with one of the small children at the babies home just to get him to show interest in what I am doing, have some eye contact with me and understand that hugging isn't the only way that you can get attention from someone else. When he actually looked me in the eye and responded to what I was doing I was so excited.

I am really enjoying my time here. It is a really wonderful opportunity that I have here. I am able to share my knowledge and the love of God with people who don't have the same gifts and opportunities that I have. In truth I have to come back. My plan is that I ***finish off my travelling and come back home in June, get a locum position somewhere back home for 6 to 8 months and save as much money as possible so that I can come back here, possibly for a longer period of time. But then, my plan might not be the same as God's plan