Dark & Light

Today was a really fun day. I volunteered at a shelter for girls ages 10-16 who had been physically or sexually abused at home. In America, it would be like a foster home, except there were 10 girls living in a dorm-like house. They have a full-time psychologist, and they go to school like other girls their age. We had the best day with them. We painted our fingernails, played Uno, played Angry Birds, and listened to some of their favorite music - Justin Beiber, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jackson. I was surprised at how open and sweet the girls were. I expected them to be a little more shy and closed-off, but they were very talkative. They weren't as clingy as my kindergarteners, but those kids are on a whole different level when it comes to affection. It's important for the girls to have positive female role models because, as one of our supervisors said, they often repeat the violence when they have children. So it's essential that they have a role model to show them a different way. I wish I was there everyday with them, but they were only home today since the schools were closed.

I think it's great to treat the girls because obviously they probably have some issues to deal with. But what frustrates me, and what frustrates me in the U.S. also, is that we are treating the symptoms and not the disease. It's too late when a girl gets sexually abused. She can get psychological help, but those scars will always be there. Why are we not treating the problem? Why are we not teaching men how to treat women and children? (I'm generalizing with men here. I know women can be abusers too, but it is predominantly men.) The only way to truly make a change is to change the culture of people, change their mindset. It's too late when kids are in foster homes.

On a lighter note, six of us went to see X-Men tonight at the movie theater. It was $4 for the movie, and $4 for popcorn and a drink... ridiculous. The movie was in English with Spanish sub-titles, which was fun. But about fifteen minutes into the movie, we all got yelled at to get our feet off the chairs. Come on!