Dream On

Alas! I have my work placement!!!!!
:::::::::::drumroll::::::::::::::::::

I just got an e-mail from Sharon, my Program Manager, stating that I will be volunteering at an orphanage! It is called the Lala Maryem Center for Abandoned Children and is a large orphanage located within Rabat.

Needless to say, I am ecstatic. While I was willing to serve wherever help was needed, it has always been a dream of mine to volunteer in an orphanage and care for children that are less fortunate. And when I say always, I mean it! I remember wanting to work in an orphanage since I was as young as 5 or 6. After doing a little jig and some personal high-fives with myself (no one else was home), I e-mailed Sharon back and told her how excited I was and how I can't believe that this dream of mine is finally coming true. This was part of her response:

Yes, one of your dreams is about to come true, and you will have many more dreams to dream, too!

And that was all it took for me to start crying. To think of where I was in the recent past and to reflect on where I'm at now and all of the health, happiness, and dreams that are now a part of my life- it's so overwhelming in the best of ways! Exactly two weeks from today I will be in Morocco, soaking up the wonders of adventure. It's such a fantastic feeling, and I feel beyond blessed because I know Sharon is right; this is just the beginning.

As for this dream, I'm ready!

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Here are some of the details of my work placement:

Lala Maryem Center for Abandoned Children

Mission and Needs of the Partner Program

The objective of this center is to provide social, health, psychological and educational care for abandoned
children. The center houses approximately 250 orphans or abandoned children; of that approximately 25 of
them have physical challenges. The children are divided into 3 different groups; babies under the age of two,
infants and those who are physically-challenged.
The orphanage was founded in 1914 by a French man, and the building was previously used as a hospital.
The Government provides the orphanage 2% of their budget and the rest of the funding is from by private
donors.



Volunteer Activities / Duties

• Assist the nurses with daily routines such as
feeding, dressing and changing the children.

• Assist the nurses with transporting, lifting and
other daily activities for patients with physical and
mental challenges

• Provide individual attention and eye contact and
loving words (in any language) to the children.

• Be a role model. Encourage and praise the
children while also enforcing rules of good
behavior.

• Provide recreation and take out the
children/patients for fresh air in the garden

• Provide physical therapy and activities for those
with physical and mental challenges

Just some trusty advice from the government....

Taken off of the US Government's Morocco information site

SAFETY AND SECURITY: In March and April 2007, a series of terrorist bombings occurred in Casablanca, two of which simultaneously occurred outside the U.S. Consulate General and the private American Language Center. In 2003, a series of similar attacks in Casablanca targeted hotels and restaurants. The potential for terrorist violence against American interests and citizens remains high in Morocco. Moroccan authorities continue to disrupt groups seeking to attack U.S. or Western-affiliated and Moroccan government targets, arresting numerous individuals associated with international terrorist groups. With indications that such groups still seek to carry out attacks in Morocco, it is important for American citizens to be keenly aware of their surroundings and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predictable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile. Establishments that are readily identifiable with the United States are potential targets for attacks. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, movie theaters and other public areas. Such targets may also include establishments where activities occur that may offend religious sensitivities, such as casinos or places where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed.

..... Guess I'll pack my angry eyes just in case!

Mom pants, Imodium, and all things necessary

Salaam!
Morocco is approaching quickly. I went out and got some "Ramadan friendly" clothing (shirts that cover the shoulders, very loose fitting, etc. etc.). I can't seem to find loose, lightweight pants that are long enough to save my life. My sister's friend recently visited Iran and she found some at Chico's... Looks like I'll be sporting the dreaded mom pants! I also put together a fantastic First Aid kit complete with Imodium and all things necessary.

I have a conference call meeting on Tuesday, August 4th (I leave the 7th), to go over final details with fellow volunteers and my Program Manager.

I'm also hoping to find out my work placement in the next week or so- keep your fingers crossed! From there I will begin planning for my placement. We are in charge of activities and entertainment for our placements, so if for example I work with children at the local Children's Hospital, it is my job to put together creative art projects and entertainment to keep them busy and distracted from what they're going through. We are not to bring any supplies with us, but only use what is given to us in Morocco to ensure our position is the community is supportive without them becoming dependant on us.

My French class was cancelled due to low enrollment so I'm back to learning French from my Scottish friends on iTunes. I'm also practicing my Moroccan Arabic. I'm not sure if it has to do with my lack of uvula or I'm just not skilled in that area, but I cannot seem to make the words sound even CLOSE to what they sound like on my trusty Moroccan Arabic CD! ::sigh::

That's about it for now! Back to cleaning, unpacking before I start re-packing again, organizing, list-making, language studying, and gearing up!

And the races begin!!

My program fee is officially paid for!!! Thank you all who so willingly and generously gave so that I will be able to give back to a community in need! I am beyond blown away at all of the support.

Will you be praying with me as I prepare for my trip? My prayer is that I remain in good health and that He will continue to prepare my heart and mind for what is to come.  I am also praying for the other volunteers whom I will be accompanying, and that we will be able to work as a team in order to succeed at supporting and encouraging those that we will be working with. In addition, please pray for the community of Rabat, and that they will be open to our support and able to communicate to us exactly what they need to continue in their good works.

Thank you again for all of your support! More information to come on what my exact work placement is, etc., in the coming weeks.

Bless you all!

One Month Away!!

A big thank you to all of my sponsors!! Your support means more to me than words can express. To know that so many people believe in me and the cause that I'm fundraising for is unbelievable and truly inspiring. Thank you!

Exactly one month from now I will officially be high in the sky on my way to Morocco! I cannot WAIT!! I feel like it was just yesterday that I had two months to go before the big day... I have SO much to do before then!

I spoke with Sharon, my Program Manager, on the phone yesterday. She called to check in and see if I had any questions, concerns, etc. It sounds like it's going to be very likely that I will be at the orphanage with my experience with kiddos. She reminded me to pack clothing that I wouldn't mind getting "soiled" from holding babies and playing with toddlers... I have NO idea whatever she may be talking about! :) I assured her that I've experienced just about every body fluid on me possible, and that I'll be just fine. I will find out in two weeks what my work placement is.

She also wanted to talk about Ramadan, and how it's a truly exciting but different experience unlike anything I've been a part of. Apparently I misunderstood and Ramadan isn't likely to begin until August 22nd or around there, which is much later into my trip than I originally thought (the exact date depends on the lunar calendar, so it will be impossible to know exactly what day until you get a bit closer to the date). It's somewhat of a relief that it won't be going on the whole time I am there due to the extreme changes in society that come with it, but I'm also SO glad I get to be a part of it and that I'm staying a week longer than I originally planned for! To be a part of Ramadan in a Muslim country is going to be an experience unlike any other. Sharon said that it's important that I wear baggy clothes during Ramadan, so I need to go on a hunt for some baggy pants... Maybe I should hit up my brother's closet?

I will also be beginning a French Class for Travelers on Saturday. Majority of Moroccans speak a mix of French and Moroccan Arabic, but the latter is virtuously impossible to find classes for here in the West. I'm hoping a little bit of French will help me get around and attempt communication with locals.

That's about it for now! Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement!