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| Elena |
Elena came to Hogar de Vida when she was 3 months old. In many ways she is "ours" although we hope she will soon be returned to her family or given to an adoptive family. She turned 2 years old in May. She lives in House #2.
Elena doesn't talk much but she has a good set of lungs and often exercises her right to be heard. She needs help with her language development, one of the challenges we sometimes face with children that come from at risk situations. She is learning to communicate: "mia" means "comida" (or food) and "peco" is "fresco" (drink). She loves tia Yorleni and calls her "Neni."
She doesn't like the other kids to touch her physically, she doesn't like the kids to take her toys away (who does?), and she is learning not to bite other children. We could say she has a "strong character."
Morning begins at 5:30 when Elena wakes up, but she has to wait for one of the "tias" (aunties) to open the door. Still in her pajamas, breakfast tastes good. Each day the menu is different. Elena's favorite is hot empanadas freshly made and filled with cheese and refried beans.
Next comes bath time where she shares the tub with other little girls - often screaming loudly her desire to stay in longer. Elena looks like a little princess when she's in a dress, which she much prefers over shorts.
The whole Hogar community comes together in the rancho for devotional time led by staff. A half hour is a LONG time for a two year old to sit still. Then it's back to the house for a snack cafeteria style with the other 10 children to eat fruit or some of Ma's (tia in charge) hot bread. Hot bread and sour cream? Mmmmmmm!
Play time on the porch or outside is an option but Elena prefers to be inside because Ma feeds her like a little bird, bits and pieces of whatever is being prepared for lunch. This gives Elena a sense of family and belonging.
School-time with Christy provides an opportunity for Elena to paint, develop her gross motor skills on the mattress, or play a musical instrument (toy tambourine). School is socialization at its best.
Lunchtime comes early at 11:00 a.m. Typical fare has rice and beans featured somewhere. The children get a rounded Costa Rican diet which we respect as part of their cultural heritage.
After lunch, nap time is absolutely necessary for Elena to recharge her batteries. She always sleeps. In a couple of hours it's time to get up again, have a diaper change, get shoes on, and if the sun is shining, more outside play, sometimes on the football soccer) field next door.
Afternoon includes another snack and now it's dinner time at 5:00 p.m. when Elena feeds herself. Before bedtime the children, once again in pajamas, watch an approved video, each week watching the same ones over and over again. Bedtime arrives around 6:30 and along with the children some of the tias sign off as well in order to get a good night's rest.
Then it all begins again the next day. The daily routine is important for the children, although Elena's days are somewhat different when she has medical appointments, when she goes to church on Sunday or when there is a birthday parties or special visitors that bring new clothes or toys.
- To sponsor a child like Elena, or a tia who cares for them, please refer to the enclosed description of the Sponsorship Program.
- Note: Pictures of children are slightly modified and their names are changed, especially in Costa Rica, for their safety and to protect their identity.
