Lost in Translation {Perdido en la Traducción}

 

Today I was planning to go to one of the two classes with the older students, but I ended up going to the same class as last week with the 4 year olds. I was helping out with their breakfast, and then Profesora Ivet asked me to help walk them to class. She was trying to tell me something in Spanish, but I did not understand her... My Spanish level is low... Once I got to the classroom it clicked!!! She was telling me that her daughter was here!!! Once I got to the room the Profesora's hija (daughter)  hugged me and handed me a note. It said in English and Spanish "Could you please teach me origami?" So I spent my day (3.5 hours) teaching her origami and English... and she taught me Spanish. She is 9 years old... I wonder why she didn't go to school today... or did she have school... or does she go to school later? I don't know. I guess I can try asking tomorrow. BUT tomorrow I will definitely go the the class with the older students. There are 2 classes for 3 year olds (about 25 in each class!!), 1 class for 4 year olds (about 25), and 2 classes for older students. There are only 4 teachers at this school. I feel guilty leaving the Profesora with the 4 year olds because those students need more guidance and redirection than the clase with the older students... BUT I really want to work with the older students. Why? Because with the older students I can TRY to have more of a conversation (if only my Spanish was better!!!) with them and support them in their homework with school. I think I am pretty good at miming things or making communication happen without words... Non-verbal communication to the rescue!!

The school is called CEDIF, which stands for Centro de Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (Center of Integral Development for Familes). I believe it is ran by the government because it also says Municipal Provincial of Cusco on the banner in front of the school as well. And a quote about making a "beautiful/ better Cusco." I Googled it, and found an article/ bond/ document thing about supporting the children and adolescence in Cusco. 

One day last week the Profesora mentioned how terrible these kids are... and I tried saying... because they are 4 year old... and she said no, not all 4 year olds act like these kids. I said oh, my students are similar to these kids and they are 10 years old, and she laughed. At least this is what I thought was our conversation. :) I think even though my Spanish understanding and production is basic, we are still able to communicate... or at least I figure out what she said later on! Hahaha. or maybe something gets lost in our communication... but in the end we smile, hug, and kiss on the cheek. Abrazos y Besos!!