THE FIRST WEEK

I began working at Open Doors on Monday. On the first day I was given a tour of the school and shown all the different departments (Vocational training, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, the sensory room and I was taken into each class to be introduced to everyone.) I received a warm welcome from all the staff and kids. The kids are great. They have a range of individual needs. Most of them have delayed speech, Cerebral Palsy, Autism or Down’s syndrome.

For the full 6 months, I am going to be working in the Speech Therapy Department alongside Uncle Japeth, who is a Nigerian Speech Therapist. Even though I have only been working here for a few days, I know I am going to love it at Open Doors. This week I have just been assisting in different therapy classes but next week I will be getting more involved and possibly taking a few of my own classes towards the end of next week. I have also been shown how to assess a child and have already done this with a new pupil who started at the school the same day as me J. The methods we are using involve a lot of the things that I learnt on my course. I think I might actually be appreciating my Linguistics degree. I never thought I would say that! I am definitely going to learn loads here!

There has been a slight change of plan. I went to a City Ministries meeting (the street kid’s ministry that run all the Care Centres). They were saying that there is not enough help at EMS, a school for Nigerian Missionary kids, which is also under their ministry. So, I have volunteered myself to work there a couple of afternoons a week, to do some musical stuff with the kids and minister to them through bible study and generally spend some time with them. This is instead of Gyero, but I will still visit there when I get a chance to. There are currently lots of volunteers at Gyero. I need to go where I am needed and where God can use me.

Prayer points:

• Please pray that I will get settled into a church here


• The Nigerian way of disciplining children is a lot different to home. This is something I know I am going to struggle with and I have already witnessed it. When I see a child being hit, or worse, I am not allowed to say anything. Please pray that God will help me during these times.

The Internet doesn’t always work here so I am not sure how often I will get to update my blog, but I will try. Just keep checking! Thanks.

Lynsey