Unwed mothers

The last project I have been priveleged to be involved in is a Rotary Club of California supported Catholic mission.  Pregnant girls are given a safe refuge to live.  The visit started with wary, shy girls occasionally peeking from their rooms to see who had come to gawk.  But when tomatos and hebs for the spagetti sauce were produced they joined us around the kitchen bench chopping onions and garlic, and stirring the strange smellling brew.  Then they produced rice paper rolls, and taught us how to make a another recipe for spring rolls.   We all sat down together and ate a feast.  When the dishes were packed away Jane taught us all to make crystal sun catcher decorations.  The girls were totally relaxed by then and we laughed and shared girly talk, albeit without a common language.   The principal of the home was delighted. She said that visitors come and make a donation and have a tour of the facility, but never stay and cook with the girls, or share such a time.   Lesson 5.  Extended sessions involving days of  volunteering are not necessary to make a difference - connections and caring can happen in all sorts of ways.  Throughout all the projects we have participated in this has been the case.  I know that the people I have met and opportunities on this trip have touched me in important ways, and am sure this is true not only for the "Eyes Wide Open" crew but also for those Cambodian and Vietnamese people in Green Gecko, Future Light Orphanage, the deaf and blind school, the floating village school, the unwed mothers home, Sunrise Childrens Village, wheelchair recipients (of which I am sure Lena will tell you more),  and our homestay family.
Bronwyn xx