Life in soap opera?

Monika and I came to our new house in the middle of the night and first what we thought about it was: wow, we will be living in soap opera. Why? Because our home seems like hacienda from brasilian telenovelas. Just salon is bigger than my flat in Poland. There are also problems connected with that: it is colder outside than inside because there is no central heating. But, it is still so amazing sitting on terrace on January drinking afternoon coffe.

Hermanos

We are working in Ciudad de los ninos. It is a foundation Hermanos Obreros de María estabilished by Hno. Carlos Fernandez Dorador O. in 1950. More about history and place you can read on their website: http://www.cnmalaga.com/php/es/index.phpoption=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=69 

It is really like city in city. On few hectars there are: school, dormitory, dining rooms, pools, fields, zoo and the best in region mechanical school.

It is a place where living together: priests and ordinary teachers, kids from many different countries: Spain, Maroko, Romania, Russia, Brasil, Peru,...; different religions; different ages, because there are childrens who are 4, teenagers, but also few adult boys, who are living here but working outside in the city. Each group has their teachers, psychologist, house, workshops and so on. What do they have in common with each other? Each of them have difficult situation in their family because of poverty, alcohol or other things. Some of them don't have family at all. This centre is the only opportunity for them to support them and to give them a chance to live better. 

So, I came here because I fall in love in idea of this place. Because I think, that each person should have this same posibility to dream and to believe, that everything can happen, no matter from where they are, who are they parents, how much money they have, how smart or beautiful they are and so on. 

Our work and problems

For now, we've just mostly try to get to know kids, teachers, their duty, their needs. We accompany them during their lessons, try to help with their homework, watch their free time. It is not easy for us, because in Poland we get used to lead lessons, workshops, animating and so on, here we begining from zero. 

During working with kids and teenagers from problematic homes it obviously that they have to check you to get know you. And that in this kind of job the most important thing they need was love – to feel, that they are important, that someone care about them and is able to help them. And, the next thing is faith in their own power, that they can achieve more than they can imagine. But it is not so easy to do that. 

Because there are kids who have probems with their emotions, behaviours, learning, daily duties... kids who avoid you or on the other hand who do totally everything to attract your attention. It is really difficult to get and save their attention and their trust. Often we even can't undertand everything what they tell us, because we know basic or medium spanish and they are afraid of using english even if they know it, because they afraid of make a mistake, so it is easier for them when we made mistakes in spanish. So, sometimes it is really hard and you can heard and saw really bad things. 

But, there are always even small things which don't let you give up. For example, when one kid come to you to sing you something just for you, say that love you, hold you... There are also inspired teachers, who last weekend gave a great rock concert here. And, because of that moments, you still know why and what for you are here.