First Visit to Prison !

On the 30th of September, Thursday, we went to the prison for the first time this year ! This visit was planned to be done last week, but it was canceled in the last minute last time due to the rain. It rained today and so we were a little worried that it'd be canceled again. But fortunately it stopped after lunch, so we could visit them !

This was the first time for many of the students from OSC who joined Prison Babies only this year, so in a way, it was really meaningful.

There were many new children (apprently around in total 30 new children in the prison) and some we could recognise from last year. Since we brought papers and color pens, we gathered around in their classroom and painted together.

They seemed to feel more comfortable in the prison with their mothers; no one cried ! In fact, everyone was all with the smily faces :D:D So we hope this has moved the mother'd mind to send their children to our campus next time, so that we can have more children to interact with !

We felt the necessity to enhance the environment; because of the humidity the wall and ceilings were, we found, all covered with mold. We thought it'd be good to organise and paint the wall and ceiling with the children there. Since it's their learning place and sleeping area, it'd be good if they decorate themselves. We, yet, are not sure if we can do it or not, because getting the permission from the prison can be really tough. We will see how it'd go !

Prison Babies of 2010-2011 !

Prison Babies session has started on the 2nd of September about three weeks after since the school started ! We had an orientation-like session to explain to the students in details about what we usually do and what we will do this term.

For this semester, 6-8 students from OSC have signed up for the project to help and play with the children. First, we had a brief planning session to organise some activities to do with the children and to prepare for the next week. Since most of the students were new to the project, and also the fact that we will have some new children from the prison, we planned to go out to the primary field to play and get familiar with each other. We always had difficulties in the beginning of the year or semester, since many of the children are usually no more than 2-year-old, so they often find it uncomfortable being at a new environment surrounded by all big giant people, us, and start crying. So we thought it'd be good to get to know each other first and familir with the new faces !

After the planning session, we were all excited and looking forward to seeing them.

However, we could see them only by last week (Thursday, 23rd of September) since it was canceled in the last minute the week before. Besides, in fact, we planned to visit them instead of having them at our campus since children find it more comfortable and opened to interact with us in the prison where their mothers are at. It was postponed because of the permission issue.

We had some newcomers as well as some who have left as their moms were discharged. Every year around this time, it's always exciting to welcome and get to know some new children and somewhat sad at the same time to let some go.

We had them in one of the classrooms and watched an exciting animation all time, Tom and Jerry ! They looked they quite liked them :)
Then we started painting with them on the paper. Like we expected, one of the children started crying, however, other than him, other new kids seem quite easy being with us, which is good !

Because of the traffic, they came a little late but then they had to go back on time, so they had to leave around 3:30. We couldn't interact with the children as much we wanted to, but it was a good start indeed!

We are all looking forward to seeing more children next time !


Also, like we planned last time, we will visit them soon. In fact, we are thinking of visiting them every month so that we can persuade the mothers in prions who do not wish to send their children to us, and have more children ! Like we donated some mattresses last year, we are also planning to have some donations or do fundraise to buy some basic stuffs for the children.

We have never tried this before, but we are also thinking of bringing them to the zoo nearby. We tried to introduce them to the new world. We once brought them to McDonald last year, we played there and had them icecream! It was totally something new that they have not experienced before. and they really liked it ! So we are going to try again this year.
We are not quite sure if it will work out or not, due to the security issue and running out of time. Well, hope for the best !