BigBlueBugBlog: The Center and Plaza

The Center.

The office and community center for VFV is adjacent to a basketball court or "Plaza" (as the locals call it) in the BLISS neighborhood. It's the place where the volunteers go to see what's happening. It's also where the locals, (mostly kids) go to participate in activities that the VFV facilitates or to simply hang out with each other and/or the volunteers.

It's truly a joy to have such an active community center and outdoor space within a 20 second walking distance of our home.

Here are some pictures from all the different activities that go on in just these two places.

The crowd watching a tense badminton game.

"I got some good games!" says Jeff
Jeff has made a decision that makes him happy, but maybe not the kids

Gwapo Micheal... always around!

Interestingly, Michael and his almost identical mini-me brother Louie, plus their sister Louise, are really the only "matambok" (fat) kids in the neighborhood! It is acceptable in the culture for people to talk about people's weight so it is a generally noted phenomenon that these kids are much bigger than the others. Their house is a homestay, and volunteers report that the kids are fed sugar all the time!

Sheila really does like badminton.

Francis chowing down.

At the Center there are daily feedings for the Sponsored Kids Program. Proof that international sponsors money is being put to good use!!! They usually get a good healthy meal... but sometimes they get rice with milo chocolate powder on top!...

Darwin!

Many things can happen in and around the plaza at any time of day...

...including cooking some "lechon baboy"

Lechon, or roasted pig, is very popular and is generally reserved for special occasions like birthdays and weddings. It is a fairly profitable business to raise "mga baboy" or pigs and then sell them as "lechon", so some of the people in BLISS have personal piggeries.

"Watchin' some b-ball (outside of the school)..."

"...when a couple of guys, who were up to no good...."

The Center at Night.

The kids here love getting their picture taken and love looking at their picture after even more. This shot shows lots of our friends... Shahine from Montreal, and guys from the boys club Le-an, Jaylito, Gener, Joval, Edward and many more... oh and Jerry our "kaharani" or neighbor is in the picture as well.

Mother's Day Surprise!

On Mother's day, VFV organized a surprise party for all of the homestay Nanays!!!... I kinda think some of the Nanays had an idea something was up, cause a few got a bit more dressed up than normal!

Despididas

Typically, on a volunteer's last night, a despidida, or goodbye party is held at the center. Laura and I have been here longer than most and have seen our fair share of despididas and for some reason they always end up with some enthusiastic videoke!