Hogar María Auxiliadora

#1 job = love the girls! In a typical day I would help them get ready for school, help them with their homework, make sure they did their chores and washed their clothes, pray the rosary with them, sing, dance and play with them, pray with them before bed, and help them get ready for bed and sing them to sleep. I would also do things like bake bread with them, take care of them when they got sick, make sure they had the clothes and school supplies they needed, and just be there for them when they needed a friend. On a normal day the SLMs get about an hour after lunch with the sisters for themselves and usually come back to be with the older girls and run the computer lab and library. It is a very flexible job that allows the volunteer to really live in solidarity with the girls and sisters. I got to go on some really cool trips with the girls and with the sisters as well. What an amazing experience! This means that the SLMs need to be there for the girls in every way and always be patient and give your forgiveness and ask for it when need be! Current SLMs are in charge of either the library or computer room. Working in the computer room consists of working a lot more with the middle and high schoolers, although you'll also find many of the little ones working on desks. In the mornings there are 30-36 little children under the age of ten and a few middle schoolers that need to get ready for school. For the SLMs this means that they make sure they get their chores, clothes, and homework done. The SLMs then help get the girls ready for school which means doing lots and lots of hair -- every SLM will learn how to do hair very well after this experience! In the afternoon the older girls come home from school and it is a balance of letting them be independent but subtle reminders to do their chores, clothes, and homework. In the afternoon the SLMs help the girls finish homework, pray the rosary (or watch a religious video), dinner, and sometimes watch a movie together like a big family. Then the girls go to bed, in which the SLMs make sure they put on their PJ’s, brush their teeth, and help them get ready for bed. In the past, SLMs have found themselves singing lullabies to the little ones to help them fall asleep. The SLMs try to put fun into the girls' chores through laughter, songs, and dance. There are times when the SLMs help make bread and it is the daily duty of the SLMs to serve breakfast and dinner. SLMs do fun activities, games, and baking for the girls during special events like Advent, Easter, Kids Day, etc., which end up being some of the more memorable moments throughout the year! Because you act as a guardian of the girls, the SLMs go to parent teacher conferences, take girls to doctor, dentist, and psychologist when need be. Part of the guardian/motherly role includes teaching - this includes teaching school subjects, life skills (showering, hygiene, keeping organized, making beds, how to communicate), life lessons, emotional regulation, and about faith. In the past there was a tutor who helped the middle-age girls with their homework but as she was unable to return this year, each volunteer is in charge of one grade that they help with homework every day. SLMs work 6 days a week, between 13-15 hours each day. There is an hour break each day and SLMs eat most of their meals with the sisters, depending on whether or not they have to stay and take care of the Hogar. During the week the afternoons are calm and mostly free as we are only in charge of opening the computer room for the oldest girls.