26th FEB 2005
went Animal Resort with children from MINDS and several NUS volunteers.
went there together with Jess.
It was my and Jess's first time there.
ANIMAL RESORT. MINDS KIDS.
it was a fresh and enriching experience. After i overcame my fear of animals, i found myself following the kids around the farm. One thing that struck me was the fact that the kids clicked really well with the NUS volunteers. Their bonds were evident. As these kids had intellectual disabilities, many of them could not verbalise what they want and what they see. However, when they saw the various animals, the horse, the goat, goose, chicken, rabbit, fish and puppy, their curiousity and excitment showed on their faces.
One boy kept gesturing to me with his hands about something he had seen. The volunteer attached to him explained to me that he was telling me about the puupy getting its hair cut! (there was a grooming room for the animals there) When he gestured to me the second time, i got what he had wanted to say and replied; "Ya, puppy getting its hair cut."
=)
In fact, they attached me to this 11 year old boy, Jason. He looked very normal among the kids with down syndrome. Later as i inquired, i found out that he is actually a high functioning kid who just have below average IQ. As i interact with him throughout the one hour or so, he made me feel very comfortable when i was the one who was supposed to make him feel comfortable. He held my hand whenever he went and rattled on to tell me about the animals he saw.
All in all, i liked the kids. Even though it was my first outing with them, i found that i did not have any difficulty interacting or talking to them. Yes, i may not understand what some of them are trying to say but i guess all they want are people who truly care for them and are willing to take care of them (things which they themselves are not capable of doing).
These kids are so cute and lovable to me. They may not speak, may not be able to pinpoint what they want or tell others how they really feel, but whatever they can do or say, they do with the best of their abilities and do so, with sincere and humble hearts.These, are the qualities which are so hard to come by nowadays.
(PS: hey guys, if u are interested in caring for these kids, let me know. The NUS volunteers will be meeting every sat, 2.30-5.30pm at MINDS, Yio Chu Kang.)
