By Aubrey Todd, VE Volunteer, January 2013
If I had been asked what I would have learned after my time spent volunteering in Chile, I know I would’ve have said something about maturing and growing up to become an adult. I surprised myself not by the fact that I was right, but how I got there. I was placed to work at Domingo Savio, a community center to children that provides a safe, warm environment after school. There are about 40 children that come Monday through Friday after they finish school from the ages 5 to 15. There are four staff members that run all of Domingo Savio, along with the volunteers that cycle through. The four staff members, called tíos or tías by the children, are the absolute best to work along with daily. They bring so much energy and happiness everyday to what they do, overtime it begins to rub off on yourself as well. The children appear sometimes to all be each other’s brothers and sisters by how they interact, and care for one another. The older ones always take care of the younger ones, and they all joke and play together regardless of age. The older children have grown into being such respectable young people and its such a great feeling to know that their influence will continue the cycle onto the younger ones who will grow up to be just as amazing. Domingo Savio really is one, huge family, and to have been a part of that here was something I will carry with me for the rest of my travels.
Each day the children have time to play on the outside court behind the Domingo Savio building, the games range from soccer, jumprope, tag, to pretend etc. After having of spent a couple of months now with a large portion each day conversing with children, I’ve found myself growing up in such an unexpected way. The children have reminded me of the reasons for running around and playing miscellaneous games; I’ve found how great it is to be a child again and the fun in it. As much as I feel I’ve taught the children through helping them with their homework, or working though problems on the patio, they have taught me how to enjoy the most out of life.