When I walked to Fundacion Causana from the bus stop, I was a little nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I thought, Are the people there going to be nice? What if they talk too fast, and I don't understand them? What am I going to have to do? The secretary opened the door with a smile on her face. I explained that I'm the pasante, or intern. She took me to my boss, who is extremely nice. He talked about Fundacion Causana and showed me around the place.
Fundacion Causana was opened in 2000, and it is a home dedicated to providing better lives to the handicapped. There are 23 people living there, 21 youth and 2 adults, who have physical/mental disabilities. The two female women, who are older than 50, can talk, but they think they are young girls. The residents are split into 3 groups: group 1 is in the weakest condition and group 3 is in the best condition. There is more than 30 professional staff who show an incredible amount of love to all the residents there. The residents are helped with speech, hearing, senses, physical therapy, and much more. These professionals are so loving- it's incredible. Most of the residents are there because their families can't take care of them.
So, after talking to my boss, I helped group 1 out with morning activities. I was scared. I didn't know how to react to the kids. I've never actually interacted with physically/mentally handicapped people before. I didn't know how to act or what to say, so I just smiled uncomfortably while praying for God to help me know what to do. There was one boy who kept making really loud noises all day long, which really scared me for some reason...
First, they did saludos, or greetings, like Hola! Hoy es un buen dia. Estoy contenta! (Hello! Today is a good day. I am happy!) Then, we went on an excursion to show them the outdoors. We drove in a van for about an hour and saw the sierras - gosh, they were absolutely gorgeous! The kids behaved pretty well in the car. When we got back, the kids were given colacion (sp?), which is like a mid-morning healthy snack. I then helped them with putting blocks together. I felt really awkward because I didn't understand what exactly was wrong with each person. There was a really nice employee who was telling me what to do, but I got confused because he talked really fast. When he told me that I actually need to hold one of the boys hands and physically help him put the blocks together, I got nervous. I didn't know if I was holding too tightly; I didn't know if I was doing too little to help or too much.
After that, it was time for lunch. I was asked to take one of the girls to wash her hands. I started holding her arms and pulled her a little, but she didn't budge. I tugged a little harder, and she took one step. I thought it would take like 10 minutes to get to the bathroom. On top of that, I was a little scared by the way she was staring at me. One of the employees explained that if I move faster, the girl will also. So I did.
That was my first day. I arrived nervous, and I left nervous. I asked God to strengthen me so that I wouldn't be scared the following day.
On my second day, I just stayed with the two physical therapists, and learned a lot about the patients through them. I saw how they helped the patients, trying to improve their motor skills and strengthening their bodies. They spend about 45 minutes with each resident. For those whose hands curl up, they wear "ferulas," to straighten out their hands. Most of the patients have cerebral palsy combined with something else. They are just so precious. I wanted to take home a little boy of two years and just hug him for hours...
One boy came into the physical therapy room with his shoelace undone. When he was sitting/lying down, I tied his shoelace. When I stood up, the boy was holding onto my arms. Compassion filled my heart. These children are like other children - they need love.
It truly has amazed me how much love is shown to these residents. The staff treats them like they would treat their own children. They play with them, give them kisses, talk to them sweetly, clean their noses...
I left happy, thankful for all the staff there who have such warm hearts. I pray that God will show me how He wants to use me here.
God in this City
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the Light in this darknes
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
and greater things are still to be done
in this city
Greater things have yet to come
and greater things are still to be done
in this city
-Chris Tomlin lyrics
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