Although it falls on a different day, we still celebrated Father’s Day here in Bolivia. At the school the girls attend, many of the classes had parties for the students’ fathers. On the morning of Father’s Day, a few of our younger girls were upset that they didn’t have a dad to come to their party that afternoon. At lunch, Sister told the volunteers that that afternoon we would be stepping in as their dads. When two of our second graders saw me arrive at their classroom door, they were beyond excited. To see someone there at school for them was more than enough regardless if I was their father or not; what mattered was that I was there for them. One of our girls showed me to my seat (amongst all fathers of course) and brought me a soda and an empanada. I tried to share with them, but of course with their wonderful manners, they insisted it was for me. Sitting amongst all the Bolivian fathers made me realize that my job here isn’t just to simply help with homework or make sure the girls go to bed on time; it is so much more than that. I have seen my role here as a mother, friend, and role model grow more and more, but it wasn’t until today that I realized sometimes I just might get to be a dad too. |
Erin Brennan
For the next year I am volunteering as a Salesian Lay Missioner in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I am living in an orphanage of 45 girls and amongst the religious community of the Daughters of the Divine Savior from El Salvador. Archives
November 2016
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