Few challenges here and there, but I am loving it....

The only challenge I came across in my placement is not being able to convince the students that I am here because I care. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I have been able to form friendship with some of them but have not been able to form a good friendship or relationship with more than half of them. When I brought this challenge to my peer workshop, they were very understanding and some of them also had similar challenges. One advice I got was that, as a volunteer I could only do so much. Also to have such a high expectations from few weeks with the students may not realistic, I have realized myself. These students have seen volunteers come and go for years, so who am I to expect that they would think other wise about me?

With the few weeks I have left, at least officially, I am trying to have interactions with most of the students as I can. I am hoping that my plan to continue volunteering during the summer will be a good opportunity for me to connect with the ones I would not be able to by the end of the semester.

One of the science teacher is recovering from a hear attack, so during her period there is less order in the class. Even though most of the students need to work on english, math or social science to earn credits to graduate, most of them do not want to do anything. Now that the weather is nice outside, the students are more being outside than in the classroom. I tried to help Twaine with his math and English credits, but he told me he was not up to it. Well, most of them, including Twian, had the MCA exam, so it is understandable that he is tired. But other students who did not have any exams did not want to do anything. The sad part is that some of these students need just 2 or 3 more credits to graduate. I want them to graduate, as badly as they do, but it is hard to get them to do something.

It is funny you ask about volunteer interactions, because I think I have an interesting one. Over the 3 hours period I volunteer, there are 4 volunteers. I get there first so I am already helping one of the students when they get there. Most of the time I am with Twain, either working on math or art project. However, when one of the volunteers (I do not remember her name) comes, she is constantly trying to take him from me. I honestly do not know why. Sometimes if she is working with him on his art project, I sit with them so I know what’s up and also give ideas and suggestion when I can. However, whenever I talk she totally ignores me. I don’t care whether she likes me or not, but I just want us to behave as grown up adults when we are with him. I don’t know if he notices it, but I get worried this is just a bad example for him. My solution to this is just to keep quite. If I do meet him sitting alone or with someone else, then I will give him my suggestions. I do not know if it is something I said or something I have done, but she clearly does not like me. I have a good relationship with the other volunteers. If one of us come a bit late and do not know what the students are working on, the other volunteer will explain. They are super helpful and new friends!

Generally, I am in a good place with my placement. As I said, I am planning on continuing working for the organization over summer. So I feel like I still have time to get to know and help most of the students.