Everyday I got to volunteer. From 1 to 4 30 I go to the same school and work with the same kids. It's an after school program for about 15 kids. In the last 3 months I've grown to love the kids. My hebrew has gotten to an acceptable level (with 6 year old kids that is) so that i can communicate with them.
Today I was outside with the kids. When it got to be around 4 Rivka, the lady basically in charge of the program, called me and told me to bring the kids in. I got all up them to start moving toward the door and into the building but one decided LO, she didn't want to. So i started playing with her and telling her that we need to go in. After what i thought was good convincing she still wouldn't budge. I knew what she wanted because i know the girl. Danielle wanted to be picked up like normal and played with. So i picked her up in my hands and started moving toward the door expecting the normal laugh and smiling face from her. Suddenly as i put her down she was crying hysterically and yelling. I could not figure out what I had done wrong. She then ran up the stairs to Rivka and started explaining that Stephanie hurt her while she let the tears poor. I looked at Rivka and for the first time I couldn't find the words not only in English but definitely not in Hebrew. I did not know what to say.
We continued into the classroom while Rivka explained to Danielle (the little girl) that all the time she asks to be picked up and how am i supposed to know that this one time I was hurting her, that i didn't understand. That was the key word, I didn't understand. Never has the language barrier been so much of an issue for me that i felt like giving up, but today it came close. Luckily I was able to understand Rivka defending me, but I couldn't find the words to say what I wanted to say. I wanted so badly to look at the girl and tell her that I would never ever want to hurt her, that all i was trying to do was play with her. But i couldn't. So i looked at her and i used the words I knew. I told her I was sorry, and that everyday I'm here trying to speak with them and play with them, that i love her and that I was very sorry. I couldn't even say i didn't mean to hurt you.
Language barriers are the most frustrating things in the world to me. At home, I take the ability of being able to fully communicate so for granted. I have learned here the hard way that the ability of speech really is important. But I've also learned new and creative ways of communicating when the language barrier is presented.
How much easier would the world be if we all just spoke the same language, right?
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