I find I’m pushing myself to new heights here at HOINA. Granted these new heights include perfecting and learning skills like French braiding, weaving friendship bracelets, performing a cappella, drawing and painting – but they are skills nonetheless.
The stimulus of my efforts, you ask? Well, the expectations of the HOINA children. I don’t want to let them down. I want to be everything and more than what they expect me to be. When I’m stumped by their homework questions they are surprised. It’s really a unique role – one similar to a parent if I had to guess.I noticed this feeling the other night when the Penn State girls, or “Churistars” as we like to call ourselves, prepared our a cappella performance of “Don’t Stop Beleivin’” by Journey (Glee style!). I tried to fully ignore my stage fright when singing and not giggle too much during our performance.
Our audience of 103 HOINA boys seemed to enjoy it. I really felt like we made them proud, especially when the boys randomly complimented our singing the rest of the night.
I also continue to meticulously work on a mosaic peacock slowing coming to life on the wall of one courtyard in the Boys’ Home. I know they’ll have to look at it every day, so I want them to enjoy its appearance.
To be a role model is a tireless endeavor. I find myself ignoring my aches, discomfort and hunger when I’m helping the children with homework or working to beautify their home. I wonder what our time means to them, especially realizing we leave in a week. What happens when we go? Will our guidance live on?
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