Daigan

Sorry for not updating more often this week but my schedule has been pretty regular and with the electricty shortages, I've been relying on my ipod touch to send emails and check basic stuff like that. I've continued working in the Unite Familiale with the other Americans (who only have two weeks left!) and I arrive around 9am, work until about 3, drink some beesopp and come home and relax/read/write/whatever else I can think of to do without electricty and sometimes without water! You learn to use your time very wisely over here, that's for sure. Since I've been doing the same old-same old over here, I wanted to take the time in the next few posts to introduce you to some of the children I have been working with, starting with my favorite youngster at the Unite Familiale, Daigan (day-gone)! Daigon, 4, is the only handicapped child in my section and nobody has been able to explain exactly what it is that classifies him as handicapped but he has limited intellectual development, poor motor skills, and while his muscles appear to be normal, they aren't very strong or developed and he has an abnormally large rib cage. I was told that Daigan was one of a set of twins and that his twin was taken home to the orphanage but Daigan was left there because simply put, "he's not all there."

Handicapped children do not get the same attention in Senegal as they would in the United States- they are not mistreated or anything of the sort at the pouponniere but there just are not enough resources and caregivers to work with the handicapped children. So when I first arrived at the Unite Familiale, I really took to Daigan and wanted to give him my undivided attention- even if just for a few hours every day. And just yesterday when he saw me come in in the morning, he smiled at me. He doesn't usually smile so I felt such a tremendous amount of pride, it made my day. Usually I take Daigan outside, helping him practice walking since he cannot yet walk without aid (and I have only seen him stand on his own once since I have been at the pouponniere), and then I spend the rest of my time with him just trying to make him laugh by playing with him or walking around with him. The other American girl here has also taken a special liking to Daigan and helps him to walk and play too. I would like to research if there are any developmental activities I could do (Daigan does not speak either) but it is difficult when we are unsure exactly what his condition is. I do the best I can by talking to him and rubbing his back and I hope that I provide some small comfort to him and that he recognizes me as a safe haven but for now, it's just been a learning experience for me and it has been wonderful getting to hang out with Daigon each morning!