Given the fact that the Dr. Clown program of Chance 4 Children is the first and original hospital clown initiative in the Czech Republic, dating back to 1999, the “laughter therapy” of our clowns in children’s hospitals is one of the best known aspects of C4C’s work. However, the very first activities C4C engaged in were with kids in children’s homes as early as 1996. Now called the Springboard to Life program, this amazing effort continues unabated today, due to the enthusiasm and idealistic zeal of our teachers and mentors. The initiative is currently helping over 100 children in 14 children’s homes with their transition and integration into society, by teaching them vocational skills that can get them hired in the job market.
Recently, we received a heart touching email from one of those, who had to stop teaching “her” children, describing how it all started. Here is Iva’s story – enjoy:
Why did I volunteer as an English teacher for children in children´s home?
There is a story behind all our actions. We do not even remember where it all started, but it was there all along. On many occasions, I had to choose between working with adults, teenagers or smaller kids and I always knew that with adults it is easier to work, and suggested that I do not have the patience and friendliness to bear a day with smaller kids.
While I was living in Bulgaria, I was visiting children´s homes, going out to the cinema with refugee kids and also taught them art and making portraits. It is all good memories of a dreamy schoolgirl. When I started to work, I did not think I would have time to manage in between all my sport lessons, work, family, acrobatic performances and so on. But something was driving me to involve myself in charitable activities in this new country that I was living in, the Czech Republic. I immediately found an English speaking NGO which was organizing many activities for children in need. I honestly did’t know if they would give the time of day to someone offering their services, but I tried and unlike other big and famous organizations, they were doing practical things to make kids feel better. They offered me to do something meaningful with real impact. I was thinking – teaching English? I have never done that. Moreover, this was a big responsibility. I had to be there every week, the exact time for the study year. They were working only with institutions outside of Prague, I had no car so that made it even more demanding.
I was on the verge of giving up. Weighting the pros and cons did not help either. Aftermath…I wanted it, I decided, I will risk, I am in. I negotiated an hour early leave every week on the same day with my boss and the kids were expecting me. But they were not the kids I expected…They were smoking, screaming, offending, pretending they do not understand anything, using the Czech language to confuse, tried to do everything not to study and to make me give up on English for them. Every time was different. During our study times they wanted to eat, catch a ball, dance, paint or scream at me. Hence, we were doing all that stuff but in English. Because they were unmanageable. I had two groups and I remember each of those small and full of life unique kids. One day I made them want to eat a small cucumber instead of reaching for the regular chocolate. It was my small win. After a while, they started saying “bye-bye” and “how are you doing?”
One hour with the kids was enough to wish to meet them next week. I wanted to show them that no one must stop or despair, no matter the heavy conditions we are born in. They did not need to strictly learn the language. I wanted to show them that they can study, they can choose to find a job and can fight no matter what comes their way. For that message I was preparing many different lessons, I showed them situations at work, calls with companies, sports activities, cooking and hobbies. I wanted them to fall in love with the variety of life out of the orphanage or temporary house they were stuck in. Their grey reality of broken family, donations of sweets and clothes, cigarettes and thug life were not the only way.
Every week, tired after work, I put my smile and went to show them that life is responsibility and love. Meanwhile, I learned that too. I doubted many things before and asked many questions about life. I kept being a volunteer because that gave me answers. I did not break in front of those small heavy boxers – the kids of all ages, minorities and terrible life experiences. I could see that even if they did not want to learn a simple word, they wanted a hug, smile or some gesture of love. They glanced with light in the eyes at the end of the semester when they received a certificate. All of them received one. Because all of us can manage to be teachers and students, we can learn to be responsible and make small choices matter.
Thank you Chance 4 Children and Petra for giving me this life present!
Author: Iva Yanková
