Lydia Home: The First Steps

In my first few hours at the Lydia Home, I had quite the time. First, I helped a girl research facts about Louisiana for her Social Studies homework. Once she was done with that, I also helped her with some reading sheets assigned by the leaders of the Lydia Home's after-school program. These sheets were meant to reinforce what the kids were learning in school. After all the kids were done with homework, they were able to play for the last half hour they were there. During that time, I played different games with some of the kids. In one of the games, the boys didn't explain the rules to me and I lost the game in every round we played. The next day I was there, I worked with another girl on different sheets, again assigned by the leaders of the after-school program. After homework time, the kids went outside to play. After being asked, I pushed a few kids on the swings. After pushing these few kids, I was now the designated person to push all of the other kids on the swings as they took turns on the swing set.

After being at the Lydia Home for about four hours at this point, it seems like a good time to reassess some of the assumptions I had before starting my time there. One of my first assumptions was that the children had very different life experiences than I did, and from what I can tell, they have had different experiences. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing and creates the diversity we see in this world. One of my other assumptions was that they may not get enough to eat in a day or they may not have clothes that fit them quite right. This assumption I had did not hold to be true. The kids seemed to be well-nourished and most of the kids had clothes that fit them correctly. Some of the girls' clothes were even cuter than some of my clothes! Lastly, I assumed that, like other kids, they would love having someone's attention. This was definitely the case! The kids had no problem asking if I wanted to play with them or if I would help them with their schoolwork. One girl even wanted me to just sit with her while she worked on homework because she was lonely. These kids love attention just like any other kid!

Through the events of the four hours I was at the Lydia Home, many concepts covered in class have emerged. One such concept recurred several times in those few hours. This concept was language and the phonetic rules that govern our use of language. One of the greatest struggles for the kids at the Lydia Home is reading. Without a strong foundation in the phonetic rules of the English language, it becomes hard to read, especially when coming across words they weren't familiar with. This illustrates how, if you don't know in great depth the rules that govern language, it makes communication very difficult. Another concept that emerged was listening. This tended to be a big problem for the kids, as it does with most kids. Most kids tend to hear things, but they don't really listen to what is being said to them. As a consequence, the kids didn't follow directions.

For the future interactions I have with the kids at the Lydia Home, I'm going to try to learn the phonetic rules to better guide them in their readings because, while I know how to read, I don't really remember all of the phonetic rules that are taught in elementary school. I think this will help me to be of better help to these kids. Secondly, I hope to be able to get their attention and make sure they are listening to me when I give them directions to avoid issues.

The Beginning of the Journey

1. What are your hopes for the service-learning project?
For this service-learning project at the Lydia Home, I have several hopes. First, I hope to have a positive impact on at least one person's life that I will come in contact with at the Lydia Home. I also hope to make the time I have there truly matter. Thirdly, I'd like to gain better communication skills with people that may not have much in common with me. Along with this, I'd also like to be a more open communicator and not be so shy around people I don't know.

2. What are your assumptions about your service-learning site?
At the Lydia Home, I assume that it will be a positive environment where under-privileged children can come to just have a good time and get help with schoolwork. I assume that the people there love working with kids and really want to make a difference in these kids' lives.

3. What do you already know or assume about the work they do?
I know that they do an after-school program for under-privileged children. I assume that they have different activities planned to do with the kids, at times. I also assume that they help the kids with any schoolwork they may have.

4. What do you know or assume about the population they serve?
I know that at the Lydia Home they serve under-privileged children. Based on this, I know they have had a much different experience in life than I have. I assume that they may not always get enough to eat during the day. I assume that they may not have clothes or shoes that fit them properly either. However, based on other kids I have been around, I also assume that they will be glad to have someone's attention.

5. What connections/interests/passions do you have for this site or the population it serves?
For starters, I think any organization that helps to build up a strong generation of kids is a worth-while investment of your time and energy. After all, the kids are the leaders of tomorrow. Secondly, I really enjoy working with kids and I hope to work with disabled children after graduation.