When I first arrived Alfonso, the father, seemed very gruff, as he spoke in only short sentences and gestures. Chiquita, seemed very nice, but it was very difficult for me to understand her, even when she made a point of talking slowly and simply. For the first few days I was also perplexed about when, or if, we were going to meet Alfonso and Chiquita’s children. I will admit that I wondered if the children did not meet us because they did not want to meet us, or held some kind of ill will against us.
     However, these perceptions have changed quite a lot in the last week. I can understand both Alfonso and Chiquita far better. They both seem genuinely concerned for our welfare and interested in what we do each day.  Although I still have trouble figuring out what Alfonso is saying when he speaks fast, I usually understand if it’s a question or a joke or a description. I also found that their children, Sebastian and Andrea, are not around much because Sebastian is studying to become a doctor and Andrea works as a photographer. Both of them are busy enough that they are not often in the house. However, when we have met them they both seem very nice and interested in us.

      I honestly do not feel like I really made any great contributions to Neque today. When I volunteered to help purchase food and supplies I figured I would only be gone for a portion of the time we spent at Neque, not the entire period. Although I would like to take credit for at least getting the food and supplies that I know will definitely have a great positive impact on the lives of the children at Neque Mas Neque, I honestly cannot. I did not pay for the supplies, I did not pick them out, and I hardly helped carry anything at all. If it was not for a hug that one of the children that I recognized from the previous visits gave me, I would be tempted to say that I had no impact at Neque at all.

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