Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone!  Today we had a special party at the office.  We were able to host the party because my English club took charge of all of the activities, games, and food.  Additionally, a local teacher provided gifts for the children.  So many people came together to make this a special day for eleven children.  The children came to us from an organization that helps protect the rights of those with disabilities.  Each child either had a disability, had a parent with a disability, or came from a poor family.

My English club has been planning for the party for several week.  They came in on a school holiday to prepare as well as spending most of the day today preparing and hosting the party.  They brought snacks to share with the children and prepared some fun games and skits.  The children sang, danced, colored, played games, solved riddles, and watched a puppet show.

It was really fun to see the students in my English club interact with the children.  Many of them had not interacted with a child with disabilities before and they did a wonderful job.  They made sure everyone was included.  My favorite part was when one twin girl (both of whom have Cerebral Palsy) told me "We would come to your office every day if we didn't live so far away."  In the fall these girls' mother described how her children don't like to go to preschool because the children stare at them and don't like to play with them.  I am so glad they enjoyed their time today and didn't feel ostracized.  Their smiles were contagious.

If you would like to see more pictures, you can check out Interlink's Facebook Page.