Happy (school) holidays

I reverted to a previous life today, I went back to my days of after school care and worked for the local out of school hours care in their holiday program.

It's been just over a year since I left and it was wonderful to see some really positive changes. There are a couple of older kids who I remember being fairly impossible to engage, I guess they were really just a little 'over it' and were bored and disruptive at times. The only thing I ever found that really hooked them was sewing! Everyday these boys would beg me to get the sewing machine out, and help them make bags, cushions and toys.

Today the same kids, a year down the track, were a joy! I had such a wonderful morning, working with felt, based on characters from the comics they design, we made an softies. An evil snowman, robot-chicken, a pig, bunny and frog complete with fly.

It was just amazing to watch. For 3 hours solid these guys just sewed, sewed and sewed! I had to order them to put things down for lunch, they just didn't want to stop!

Sure, I didn't get to make anything myself, between re-threading needles, helping to make patterns and fixing stuff-ups I had my hands full. But I left with that satisfied feeling like I had been working on my own project, and was so very, very proud.

Over the next term I will be volunteering working with our local VCAL group. For students who for one reason or another don't fit within the traditional schooling system, VCAL provides a valuable education. With learning led by student interests, their fantastic teacher Peter wants to encourage and nurture some making skills and I can't wait to get involved. There is nothing like the feeling of hoping you have given someone else the opportunity to get almost as excited as I do about making things!