SOAR

It's Monday which means I spent my second day at SOAR. I found out today what that means, Serving Others And Reconciling. I go with interns since I have no vehicle and although I don't really work more than an hour or two I'm gone for about eight hours. I spent more time there then I did during a day of grade school, with the exception of days I had extra cirriculars--namely band. Point is I'm tired but it was worth it. From the time I get there until we pick the kids up from school I don't have much to do, generally I work on homework. Today the woman that works with the students that need extra help in areas, Mrs. Franny, was organizing so I spent the beginning of my time in a classroom. The teacher, Ms. Diane, was going over the story of Samson. Then the kids started homework. Last week I worked with a girl named Hadijiah and a boy named Jose. They were both in Ms. Diane's class. Immediately Hadijiah picks up a book and asks if I'll listen to her read it. It surprised everyone because even though she's in fourth grade and it was a kindergarten book she actually wanted to read. Then I listened to her read a chapter from a book on her grade level. I also listened to a girl named, Monique, read a couple chapters. The thing I really love about tutoring the students in reading is the difference I can see between SOAR and school. We are actually finding books for the students that they will like and help encourage them to like reading. Afterwards I helped serve dinner and that was my day. It's a Christian after school program. The students are involved in worship, crafts, and fieldtrips throughout the week as well. SOAR gives the students a snack as well as dinner and takes them home. I really think this a great program for inner-city students. They have both a elementary and middle school program, I'm working with elementary. I couldn't get over the first time I went to pick up the students that their school has a couple flights of stairs. This is definitely an experience for me. I think I'll continue to help out, even when the assignment that got me started there is over.