We so often try to avoid any situation that scares us, or that we don't feel comfortable in. Some people are afraid of spiders, so when they see a spider they run or scream. Some people are afraid to communitcate, so when approached by someone they often become timid and shy. Camp starfish is helping those who are considered timid and shy in Belize, to break throughout their shells and to let their guards down... But I am by no means talking about the children who attend...
Known for the beautiful beaches and white sand, education in Belize is often overlooked. There is only one Special Education teacher on the Island and she only has about 4 kids. The teachers here are unsure what to do with children with disabilities, therefore most do not attended schools. In the United States every child is guaranteed the right to free education, this is not the case for some in Belize. This meaning some attend schools, and others work. The parents of children with Special Needs are often shy and scared to let their children receive help. This is because Special Education is a fairly new subject that is being introduced to everyone on the island ,especially those who are receiving help.
A woman with two children, boy and girl, sends her daughter off to camp in the summer. She grows from her experiences, makes new friends, and has lots of stories to tell her family back home. "But where will my son go?" She asks. Her son, a 3 year old with Down Syndrome inspired her to open Camp Starfish, which is held every summer for two weeks in the center of town. The camp is sheltered but has no air condition. There is a stage and a big room. It is owned and operated by the Lions Club of Belize, here is where they hold town events like pageants, and barbecues sometimes even concerts . But for the second summer in a row it has opened its doors to those children of the island with disabilities and those who's needs that are different than others. Not to those that are any lesser than us, but just those who may need a little extra time to get themselves ready in the morning. Camp Starfish also allows those children to receive attention and assistance from students all over the States, from Wilmington, to Pembroke, and all the way to Missouri, we surrounded them with people who love and accept them for the incredible human beings that they are.
While preparing for the trip, I had no idea what to expect at the camp. I had no idea what ages the kids would be, what types of disabilities they would have, or even if they could communicate. This is something that did scare me because I was not sure if I would be able to care for them. I'm no professional but I did try to take in as much information as I could before flying over seas. And what information I did get, we had to take and run with.
We ran fast when we did, and with one foot in front of the other. Danielle and I had been planning our activities all throughout the summer, face timing, and emails were exchanged from Raleigh to Kentucky to make sure that everything was precise and organized.
Over the passed three days I have found that some are more advanced than others. Most of them can walk and talk, but some do struggle with it. The language barrier is also something to consider. The first day went great. Danielle's lesson plans on Jaguars started the week off wonderfully. The children seamed to be so engaged, especially when making masks that they were able to take home. We sang, we danced, we ate, and we even did yoga. Jordan, an adapted physical education teacher from Wilmington, worked so well with the kids. He helped them focus on their breathing and relaxation, while also tying the yoga poses in with the lesson on Jaguars. Not only is he assisting the children at camp, but constantly reminding Danielle and I to correct our posture and remind us to breathe.
The more you breathe the more you exhale the bad toxins in your body. The more you breathe the more happy you feel. The more you breathe the more you realize how fortunate you are to be alive at this very moment.
While closely working with a nonverbal child named Jayden, we struggled to get around to all the craft and game stations for the day. Jayden was about 4 years old, curly black hair with cutest smile you had ever seen. He was a curious fellow, he enjoyed hiding under the staircase, and at most times I found him on the stage wanting to jump from it into my arms. I followed him around mostly and tried to make him laugh, he did a bit of coloring but never colored what I wanted him too, and he never did what everyone else was doing. I thought of him as a free spirit, he didn't go with the wind he just let it take him. I didn't try to force him into any activity because I wanted him to do whatever he wanted (with supervision of course) if he wanted to lay on the ground and be tickled so be it. If he wanted me to pick him up and throw him in the air, then I did. If he would rather have held his arms out and lifted his head towards the sky and spun around 20 times than eat lunch with the rest of the kids then so be it. If he wanted to touch my face while I made silly faces at him and laugh then I let him.I wanted him to be free, while in a comfortable and safe setting. I wanted him to be himself in front of people who he hardly knew.
Although Jayden was nonverbal, his smile spoke more to me than all words in this world.
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