It is said that one never quits growing, and I think that I can attest to that if it means learning so many new things and gaining so much new confidence at the age of 64+. This week has certainly affirmed this truth.
The week promised to be a busy one as I planned on doing two all-day trainings on Positive Discipline to staff. The trainings were successful and fun to present. One thing that I learned is that I don't have too many symptoms of dementia, which is good to know. In having the group learn activities (and break the ice) appropriate to play with the children, I had them play that old game "I went to the market, and I bought "Apples." Then "Bananas," "Cantaloupe," etc.--repeating all of the alphabetical purchases before adding one of the next letter! In both trainings, I was able to remember them all! In fact, I could write them all here, but then that would be long-term memory and wouldn't count! Given that part of my goal is to build teamwork, I encouraged the participants to help each other out, and it was such fun! The trainings went well, too, as the groups were a little smaller than usual. Plus, Ms. Augustine really wanted the staff to feel appreciated so we had snack in the morning, a big lunch, and dessert in the afternoon! I think I have learned that I can still present a workshop, even when there is fiery disagreement during part of it! And everyone is still speaking to me, as far as I know!
One of the goals that Ms. Augustine and I have discussed for the older children is having them work outside the Centre and begin learning what it means to have a job, be accountable, etc. She has worked hard in finding volunteer positions in different organizations, and the Board of Directors has agreed to pay a weekly stipend to each of them for a job well done. The program begins next week. Part of the program is that each teen will open a credit union account to save half of their money, which will be very important on the day that they turn 18 and leave the Centre.
Ms. Augustine invited Mr. Karl Menzies to present what a credit union is and to answer any questions that the teens may have. He is president of a local credit union, he is the husband of Dorothy Menzies (who is President of the Dorothy Menzie's Child Care Centre), and he is a very successful businessman in Belize. I'd never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Menzies, so I asked to sit in on the presentation. Ms. Augustine had to suddenly go to the Ramada Princess Hotel that morning to receive donated televisions (and I saw her on television that night receiving them). Consequently, I was the hostess of Mr. and Mrs. Menzies and charged with the task of keeping nine teens in line! Mr. Menzies was absolutely delightful to hear! And the teens were appreciative, asked good questions and were well behaved! I loved his story of how he began in life, one of 18 children in a poor Belize family. His first job was picking up horse manure and delivering it to people for their gardens. And he also sold okra, four for a penny! He said that his mother always told him that "it is not how much you earn, but how much you save that will make you successful." Today he owns Karl H. Menzies Ltd. and the Heineken franchise in Belize. His daughter went to the University in the U.S. and now runs the operation. He was a good resource, not only in talking about the credit union and the importance of saving, which is how he built his business and his success, but also in talking about what qualities he looks for in a good employee.
After the children left, Mr. and Mrs. Menzies talked with me for a while, and I felt so privileged to get to know them a bit more. Such lovely people! And I learned that I could suddenly fill the shoes of hosting an influential person with a measure of grace, when my shy (yes, I know people are rolling their eyes, but really I hid behind my mother's skirts) and unsure nature has no chance to win! I don't think that too many people will be able to intimidate me after this adventure!
I then brought the teens back into the conference room, and having absolutely no "lesson plan," I began working with them on how to enter a room, communicating confidence and willingness to work. I think it is no accident that Nathan graduated with a degree in drama, as I dramatically demonstrated incorrect ways of being in the workplace, and each teen had to correct my errors! I even heard later from a teen that she remembered what we'd discussed when she went to meet the workplaces the following day prior to the first day of work! And so I learned that I can improvise at a moment's notice with a presentation to a group on some random subject!
The week was busy, too, with dinner at our house with Yvette Burks. And one night Dave and I went to dinner with nearly 20 people from the Florida team who are still in Belize. And we had dinner with Laura Connelly and her husband, Bill, who spent a week in Belize and who will return with their son later in the summer. I failed to work out in the evenings, but made it on Friday evening. I had no idea how exhausted I was after my week, which happened to include a midnight text from one of the parents of one of "my" kids, but I soon found out when not 5 minutes into the work out, I felt ill. No real harm--I just walked more slowly than usual and slept nearly 12 hours that night! I guess I was tired...and perhaps have learned that I am not as young as I once was!
The above picture and these are the outside walls decorated by volunteers at the Children's Centre! They just make me smile each time I see them!
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