WHEN YOU WHISPER INTO THE HEART OF A CHILD

#midlife blog crestingthehill.com.au

USING MY TIME WELL

One of the best parts of reducing the hours I work is that I have more free time to do with as I please. For the last couple of months that free time has been spent on regaining a little bit of myself that I felt had gotten lost along the way. Now I feel ready to do a little more.

World Vision has a program called Kids Hope that connects a church and a local school together with the intent of building into the lives of children who need a little bit of extra care. The idea is that an adult with a little spare time is matched up with a child who needs a little bit of one to one support. The church provides the adult and the school provides the child.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Once a week you go to the school at a pre-set time and spend an hour with the child you have been matched up with. I figured that one hour a week would not be particularly taxing on all the free time I now have and I really like the idea of being an "aunty" (for want of a better word) to a child who needs someone to invest a little bit of time and attention in them.

The school has matched me up with a little nine year old boy named Blake - this week is my first time with him and I am quite excited. I don't think it will be too hard to fill an hour with talking and craft (although that might be a bit of a strain considering my AntiCraft tendencies - but I can make an exception to the rule in this case.) We might even get around to doing some cooking or playing some board games as the weeks progress - I'll have to do a refresher on snakes and ladders and Chinese checkers!

#midlife blog crestingthehill.com.au

BEING A BLESSING

From what I gather, Blake feels a bit lost and left out and he just needs someone who is stable and will be there just for him each week. What a blessing to be that person and to be able to make a small difference in his life. I'm really hoping and praying that we will hit it off and have fun and he will feel valued and loved. It's quite a responsibility investing in the life of another human being and I feel honoured to have that opportunity - what a great way to use some of my time now that I have it in abundance.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have you thought about volunteering? Do you spend time doing something that's good for your soul - and helps make the world a better place? I love that so many Midlifers include being a volunteer in some capacity now they have that extra time available. It's all about sharing some love.


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14 comments

  1. What a great way indeed to spend your time and love that you are doing this and hope you will share how it is going in the weeks to come here :)

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    1. Thanks Janine - I'm hoping it goes well and he like spending the time with me - so far so good!

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  2. Good of you!! What a wonderful way to give of your time to someone who needs a little love. I hope everything goes well and that you and Blake hit it off!

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    1. Me too Lisa - he seemed to like me and I'm going to do cooking with him next week - that should get me some brownie points :)

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    1. You're right Holly - the school says it makes a huge difference and they can never get enough mentors - so it's nice to be wanted :)

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  4. Hi,
    WOW, that's so noble of you! I always admired people who devote their time to others in a voluntary way, unlike the rest of us self-absorbed (including me) who just look for excuses not to do that sort of stuff. You must have a huge heart to be doing it, it makes me admire you even more Leanne!
    xx Abby

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    1. that's a very kind comment Abby - I don't think an hour a week is a big deal when I now have so much spare time - he's a lovely boy and I hope I make a difference in his life (and I hope he likes me!)

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  5. It is an honour and privilege to make a difference in a child's life. Good for you! Looking now to see if similar programs are available in my area!

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    1. That's great Diane - I just have so much spare time now that it's nice to spend a little of it in a productive way :)

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  6. What a generous gift you are giving! I hope it goes wonderfully!

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    1. thanks so much - I hope it goes well too (or I'll be a little sad - and so will Blake!)

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  7. What a wonderful thing to do with your spare time. I'm sure you will get as much out of it as he will. Lovely Leanne!

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  8. That is absolutely beautiful! Good luck and hope that it all goes well. A child should never lose hope in themselves. Have an amazing weekend!

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