Wednesday, April 16, 2008


For about 2 months now, I’ve been working with my new Escojo group (AIDS education/prevention, communication, values, self-esteem, condoms, healthy choices, ect.) and last night we had an emotional break-through, you know the kind that leaves one glowing with love and tears in their eyes. Our theme last night was self-esteem so I wanted to start out with a good old self-esteem booster. Spin the bottle and wherever it lands the spinner has give a compliment about the other. Well it turned out to be something like ¨yeah, she’s a cool chick, she has a lot of friends and treats others well¨. Some were a little more sincere than others, but all the kids felt very uncomfortable giving and both receiving a compliment.

So I asked them, “Why was that so hard for us to hear or tell something nice and heartfelt? Is it really that hard to see the good in someone?”

We are so used to pointing out character flaws that sometimes we forget to tell someone what we really like about them. Que malo.

“Let’s try the activity again, but this time you can pick who’d you like to compliment. Remember that you have to talk directly to that person, not about the person, look them in the eyes, and say something sincere. We will all have an opportunity to share our thoughts. We will sit and wait until each of you feels you’re ready to talk.”

And so I started, “Juana, I admire the fact that you have participated in all the activities the community and I have put on. It truly shows your dedication to your own education and that you are choosing your own path. That quality is so important in a person and it will take you a long way.” She smiled, looked down, and said Thank you in English. Then we waited. Looked around and waited some more. Finally one would start, then another, then another. A few minutes would pass, looking around, and then another would go. Fifteen minutes later we all finished. Amazing amounts of love was shared, leaving us with swollen blushing hearts. It was the first time that I had received true, heart felt affirmations from my youth about my work. I know now just how important my presence and activities are for the youth in my community. I loved it, I loooved it. Best meeting I’ve had all year.

“So this week let’s share the love and give compliments to 3 other important people in our lives”

The kids’ faces filled with looks of fear and doubt. “But whenever I try to say something nice to my parents or my friends they just think I’m acting weird or making fun of them.”
“Or what if I try to say something and they just tell me to shut-up and get out of their view of the telenovela on TV?”

“Ok, lets take a minute and ask for strength in this assignment as well as give strength to our family and friends so they are ready to listen and accept what we have to say.”

So we prayed and hugged and kissed.

Amen.