A week ago today, all of Guatemala recognized Dia de Nino. Similar to Father's Day or Mother's Day, it is a time to celebrate being a child (side note: United States.. why don't we have this?). NPH pulled all the stops on Friday (including canceling school) to ensure a day full of festivities and fun. For the other volunteers and myself, the day started at 5:30am. We paused outside each of the houses to wake up the kids singing "Las Mananitas," a well-known song throughout Latin America that sends well wishes to those being woken up. With lyrics and guitars in hand, we sweetly despertar-ed all 300 kids. The best part was watching each head pop through the curtains complete with a huge grin.
The carnival began around 8am. There was everything from a balloon toss, cotton candy, a mini ferris wheel, ice cream, a dunk tank, and even a makeshift mechanic bull! I was stationed at the volleyball sand court. It was here that I got my game on with Molly (another volunteer), Yan (the national director), and ano de servicio boys (like sweetheart Jonathan pictured above). While I probably haven't played volleyball since those dreadful tryouts in 6th grade, I had a great time! Sure, every now and then I helped the other team with a point or two, but I took it all in stride :) I enjoyed myself enough that Jonathan and I have since planned an ano de servicio versus volunteer game to happen this coming week.
The rest of the day was spent watching a clown show, eating chicken and fries for lunch, and then dancing the afternoon away in the comedor! I would consider this year's Dia de Nino to be an absolute success.
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