Three weeks ago Brittany and her father visited us. Brittany is a high school grade 4 student. As one of the school requirement she has to do a social project and was thinking of doing a project with the Ruach Fundación, together with a friend.
She wanted to work out her plans with me. Of course I was curious how she came up with her idea, because it is not often that young people show an active interest in people with intellectual disabilities. She told me her grandmother had worked at a special needs school, so her family is more aware of people with disabilities and their value. I knew her grandmother, who was a colleague of mine many years ago, and also a good friend, but I had never met granddaughter Brittany.
Plan
We worked out some concrete plans, after which Brittany started her preparations, i.e. raise the necessary money, do the shopping, ask friends and family to help her with cooking and transport etc. ‘Action day’ was set for a Saturday. Brittany was to arrive at 10am and would meet our core members over a ‘bite and a drink’, prepared by Brittany, at the time when the housemates usually have a snack. It was the best moment to get acquainted as all would be at the table. The next planned programme item was to smash a piñata, (with candies in it) in the garden by any of the core members who fancied this popular party activity. Manuel, Maria Elena and Miguel were all keen. Brittany’s group was to arrange to bring music with our core members’ favorite songs to help them enjoy the activity even more. After that there would be a short break until lunch was due. Brittany and Darling would take care of this lunch too. The last item on the agenda was a present-giving ceremony by Brittany in the presence of her friend Darling, her grandmother and another ex-special school colleague. Of course we were ready with a thankyou present for the visitors, a flower painted by the housemates. Our group would be singing some songs, accompanied by Manuel on his guitar. That is always a success.
Performance
The plans were smoothly executed on the day. Only Jonathan was a bit restless because of the changes in the day’s schedule. Sometimes we can prepare him well for that; other times it doesn’t work out as well. Being autistic he more than usual benefits from rest and regularity. One of our tricks is to have alternative activities taking place side by side. The photos give a picture of that special day. When I asked Darling and Brittany at the end of the event what they’d found to be the most special thing, they said: ‘At first I felt insecure, I didn’t know how to approach someone, but soon the contact went naturally. And I was amazed at what they could do.” Later in November Brittany and Darling will conclude the project by giving a presentation to their class mates. They won’t be short of photographs and other materials we give them! We also appointed them as ‘ambassadors’ of the community house and the Fundación Ruach.
Finally
These kind of visits are like the icing on the cake. The more young people we can approach to meet our housemates, the more chance there is for a society in which everyone is acknowledged and respected! Thank you Brittany and Darling for your great initiative!
Daniel 
Miguel 
Jonathan 
Manuel 
Loyda 
Maria Helena