Our last night was pretty difficult for all of us. For me, it was so hard leaving these girls with tears in their eyes. I’m not sure what I was expecting, obviously they weren’t going to be happy to see us go, but it definitely made it harder. I love all of them so much and I’ll be thinking about them everyday.
Day 42 Brasil
Maria’s Here!
Maria is a stylist in Corona, California who works in the same salon as Dianna. Melissa, Whitney, Dianna and I have been living together for almost 2 months so it’s nice to have a new face around. She’s beautiful and funny; she can lighten any mood. She met the girls yesterday for the first time and they warmed to her really fast. Since she’s fluent in spanish it’s not as difficult for them to communicate.
Yesterday I was a model for Maria and Dianna for updos. Although this sounds like a glamorous job, 10 different girls pulling my hair different ways was not, but of course whatever I can do to help my girls learn! :)
One of our students is illiterate and it breaks my heart. We just found out that she is now taking a class where she will learn to read and write aside from our school. I worked one-on-one with her and I can tell she’s really grasping. (Sorry I can’t be more specific with some stories, but I have keep some of the girls confidential)
The unveiling of the salon was much more than I had ever imagined. The girls were so happy it brought tears to their eyes. I think they were surprised at how nice it was. It was the Friday before the team and I left that they got to see it for the first time. They worked so hard in school they deserve this salon!
Day 43 Brasil
One more week until the girls graduation celebration!! It’s going to be very difficult to leave these girls. I’ve watched them grow and mature in just the short 2 months I’ve been here. I think I’ve learned more from them than they have from me.
Today we are doing some counseling and talking with the whole group and after answering some general questions they have about what we’ve taught thus far. We asked them to bring in pictures of different styles they liked with questions and we can go over them and show them step by step how-to’s.
Brasil is going into spring and it’s so hot! It’s going to be weird going back to the states and being cool.
We have one week to get the salon ready for the girls. Paint, water, electric.. everything! Pray we finish in time! We’re cutting it close!
