CREA con Monica

::January 16, 2011::

Today we visited two of the Hogares CREA treatment centers. The day began with a hotter and sunnier day than we had in the past few days, but with a few of us (including myself) feeling a bit sick. However, we pushed through the sickness, stopping by the pharmacy for those of us in need. Luckily, unlike American pharmacies, meds are easier and cheaper to get!

We were able to acompany Jorge, the President and founder of Hogares CREA, to see his good work in action. Jorge first stopped our bus on the street to give a family in need shoes and money. Later in the day we went with Jorge to pick up supplies, including mattresses for another family in need, and shoes for the boys at the second stop. But before our second stop with Jorge, we went to the Hogares CREA treatment center for girls aged 9-19.

The visit got started with a polite handshake from the girls. Then, as the girls gave up their seats for us, another polite gesture, one of the girls well into treatment explained their process. This process is a replication of a treatment started in the 1970s in Puerto Rico, and is an 18 month process with four phases. Some of the phases include orientation and adjustment; education; and training and reintegration. Most of these girls are sent to the center by a judge or family. These girls have experienced drugs, gangs, and violence. Despite all of that, spending a few hours with them, we got to see how polite, considerate, and happy they seem to be. The thought in my mind leaving there is a hope that they will continue on this positive journey once they leave the center, even with the temptations they have once returning home.

We then ate Burger King with the girls, apparantely a special treat for them all. After that, some of us played basketball and soccer, while others chatted (as best we could) with the girls. Although communication is tough, I hope they enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed them. On Wednesday and Sunday the girls receive visits from their family, so by the end of our time with them, families began coming to visit. You could tell most of the girls were really excited to see their families, and they were able to change out of their white t-shirt and long shorts uniform into street clothes. Sadly, however, some of the girls don't receive family visits. One girl named Jennifer who was 13 stuck out to me and there was a sadness in her eyes when the families began arriving. However, I saw how Jorge comforted her, which makes me realize how much good he is doing for children, adults, and families in need.

Since Jorge is a busy, busy man, he swooped us away to go on our next stop. After picking up the mattresses, we ventured to the outskirts of Tegu to visit the equivalent of the first treatment center, with boys aged 12-19. The boys greeted us at the bus with a similar polite handshake. Their treatment is very similar, although I noticed that they have - or at least seemed to have - much more freedoms than the girls, and a way nicer facility. By this point in the day lots of us were tired and had low energy. Jorge brought us along to bring the boys new shoes, so after the boys got their shoes we talked to them for a few minutes and left. In talking to them, many more spoke English compared to the girls. But, the boys seemed shy compared to the girls, but maybe the low energy we exuded caused that.

After our visits, we went to a very American-like mall to use the internet - how American are we?

Now back at the house and feeling very exhausted. Although there was a lot more I wish we could do for the kids we hung out with today, I can't help but feel like we brought smiles to some faces, and if nothing else, they laughed at our inability to properly communicate. All in good fun, of course.