June, part 4 | VT Days

VT Albania, the disability program that meets at Jeta, concludes school instruction in mid-June, but the students continue to meet through the end of July for the benefit of social connection.  Because our colleague, Tiffany, who directs the program was scheduled to be in the USA for the summer months to fundraise, we (along with our summer interns), planned several weeks of theme-days and later, day camp, to structure the days without classes.  We tried to get into the spirit of each day's theme as best we could, and the interns did a great job shopping for decorations to add to the 'specialness' of each day.

One day we had "Pirate Day."

The students were given pirate props and made pirate hats out of cardstock.

They built ships which we floated and then tried to sink with "cannons"...

Another day we "went" to Hawaii!

The day's activities included slicing fruit on the Wii, building sand castles (with kinetic sand), making tissue paper flowers, learning an Hawaiian dance, enjoying snowcones, playing water games in the kalceto and making mini volcanos in bottles with vinegar and baking soda!

Each week we had a 'field trip.'  Below, we visited the board walk in Durres and enjoyed ice cream and pita.  We also did an alphabet scavenger hunt!  Many of the students live in homes without transportation (or wheel-chair accessible transport), so going out anywhere is a special treat!

My personal favorite was "Story" day!

We decorated in the them of "Old Hollywood" with a photobooth and props. 

The students chose a puppet for themselves and had SO much fun. We practiced "acting" various emotions on our face, then tried to convey those emotions with our puppets. Of course, we had to play Charades, too!

Snacks were served in fun popcorn bags, like at the movies.

Then, the students were split into two groups and practiced performing two different parables from the Gospels:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son.

(above) Our "victim" from the Good Samaritan story astride the donkey taking him for recovery.

We had more fun days, but I don't find any photos on my phone! I must have been having too much fun to document the time!  Suffice it to say, years and years ago, my Dad brought over so many wonderful ministry resources (the puppets are a great example).  I think he would be tickled to see that we are still using them, all these years later -- even the dozens of giant rubber chickens!  Who knew you could play so many games with rubber chickens? I'm SO sorry I don't have photos of those from "Egg-salent Day", ha ha.