Yo Merezco (I Deserve) is a new abstinence initiative created by Peace Corps volunteers in
I received a training in the course from fellow volunteers a few months ago and then started a group in my site.
Osiris, Allison and Kamil at the Yo Merezco training
I was lucky enough to find a great group of girls to do it with who all attend a type of day care center for children of single or economically challenged mothers. They either go for the whole day or after school and play, eat and do their homework. I go once a week for about two hours to work with the girls and we have all really enjoyed it so far.
Yo Merezco girls
The first week I went alone and it was an absolute disaster. We started out with an eight page pre-test just to see what they knew and it was way too much for them, they didn’t even know how to fill it out let alone know the answers. The activities went okay, but with just me I couldn’t keep them under control especially with the younger girls. Although I had told the director that I only wanted 10-14 year olds she put a few 8 and 9 years old in who were totally out of control and it would have been difficult for me to kick them out.
Since the first week I have had somebody go to help me for most sessions which helps a lot and things have improved. A few of the girls are very bright and I can tell they are really learning but many of them are very behind where they should be in their education for various reasons related to their socio-economic situations. Although many of them are wild and don’t pay attention they always tell me they love the class.
This is the first time I have worked with youth and I am enjoying it and feel especially lucky to be able to work with high risk girls. Once I finish the course with them I hope to continue somehow…
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