The Fun Never Stops

Yesterday I spent the day with the ABBA ¨technical team¨ in the office. These are the hard-working people who do the social/legal/financial work of the organisation. Delton and I went to track down the academic records of one of the Elohim boys so that he can transfer to the nearest school to Elohim. Paperwork doesn´t always travel as it should here so it proved a little more difficult than anticipated. When the boys arrive at Elohim there is a whole host of paperwork to be signed, sealed and delivered to the right people and places. It is often tedious and complicated work - birth certificates, school records, medical historys and not to mention the major task of actually tracking down the families. These guys work so hard to piece together the lives of these children and it is work that often goes without recognition.

Today I spent a couple of hours playing football with the boys. They´re beginning to be more comfortable around me more and try to communicate a little more too. They are so sweet. This is my last day at Elohim for the moment but I´m hoping to spend a little more time here again in my remaining few weeks. Tonight I have (I think!) a rehearsal with the band for my singing debut on Sunday. My Portuguese is still limited and none of the band speak English - so that will making the choose and arranging of music somewhat complicated! However, music is a universal language and the band do sound awesome so hopefully it will come together somehow.

Tomorrow I have a 6am start for an all-day training course (in Portguese of course) in working with street children. Hopefully I´ll be able to understand most of or at least some of it! On Monday I move in to Casa Semear where the kids club will start up again and I´ll be working there full time. Life here is keeping me busy with work and play (often the two are nicely combined at Elohim) and it´s pretty much like home now -  always busy but somewhat more relaxed! Still not missing home too much but my supply of Scottish tea is slowly running out. Anyone who wants to volunteer to post me some is more than welcome!

Thanks again for all the messages - it´s good to hear from you!