OK, So we had our big fundraiser tonight for my pastoral juvenile group. And it was seriously a disaster. We began cooking popcorn at 4:15. In total we cooked 5 lbs, or 250 small bags worth. Angelo came over to help us out right at 4:30, and about 4 more boys came over 15 minutes later. At 5:30, Rachele, Angelo and I go to the church where we’re going to have the fundraiser, while the rest of the boys and Trenita and Regina stay to continue cooking the popcorn. We set up chairs, find extension cords, and set up where the projector is going to go, so everything was looking great. This was their project, and they were actually participating and helping set everything up. Yay!
Then the drama begins. Angelo tells us that the projector is coming at 6:45. The movie is supposed to start at 7. We were expecting plenty of time to figure out how to set up the projector, but now that time is very minute. Our fellow volunteers arrive first, at 7 on the dot, looking very American and wondering why we aren’t ready to begin. The projector has yet to arrive. When the projector comes – AT 8 P.M. – the room is full of chatty, energetic preteens and teenagers.
Once the projector comes, you would think that all of our problems would be solved, and we just be an hour behind schedule. Our problems are not solved. These kids are here for social hour. They paid their 20 pesos and now want to just hang out with friends and eat popcorn and drink juice. There was absolutely no way to hear any of the movie over their incessant chattering, and nothing would make them shut up. I do not know how many times I told someone “Sientate y Callete, (sit down and shut your mouth).”
After we passed out all of the popcorn and juice, the Americans slowly began trickling out. They were only there to support us, and I do not blame them at all for leaving that chaotic zone. Around 9, everyone left. I felt extremely embarrassed to be a part of this failure, frustrated at our pastoral juvenile group for not being more put together, and just annoyed at small children in general. And I felt that we should have given some of the money back to whoever bought a ticket.
I do not really blame our pastoral juvenile group. They made the arrangements with the projector and thought it would arrive on time. That was out of our control, as were the annoying children. There was nothing we could do about those factors. And the pastoral juvenile group was extremely gracious of our support, and I think maybe a little embarrassed that we were there to witness it. It was utter chaos.
No comments:
Post a Comment