Give Kids the World

17/10/12

So every Wednesday and Sunday we have the chance to 'VoluntEar' at the Give Kids the World Village. It's a massive 70 acre non-profit resort where children with life threatening illnesses go with their families for a week long free vacation through organizations such as Make a Wish. The village is amazingly themed with Villas for the families and a Gingerbread House restaurant, train and play areas including a life sized CandyLand game play area. There's also an Ice Cream parlor with so many flavors and kids can have ice cream for breakfast. I've wanted to volunteer for ages but always had something planned on my days off. As it was cloudy today when I went to sunbathe instead I cleaned my room and saw on the calandar that it was Give Kids the World so thought I'd phone up and register. It was full up so they put me on a waitlist and told me to check in early in case of drop outs and luckily there was space so I joined 7 others and got my 'VoluntEars' t-shirt. I went with some American girls and one was my friend whose a character attendant so it was nice to have a friendly face there!

A mini van took us to the village and it is like stepping into a storybook land. We got name tags and on a Wednesday evening it's Kids Night Out so if they want the parents can register their children and take a night off to relax. We got buddied up to a child who we were responsible for until their parents came back. I was with an adorable 3 year old whose brothers (5 and 11) were also there. For the first hour we played in the Boat House where there's lots of amusement arcade style games and a dinosaur mini golf course. It was hard at first when my kid realized his mum had gone and I had to chase after him as he went running off! I don't think he really knew what was going on at first and was just happy playing then he must have thought whose this girl with the weird accent! I took him to play mini golf and he loved throwing the balls into the hole and making the dinosaurs move.Then it was time for dinner and everyone was lined up but we were late as he wouldn't stop playing and I had to try and coax him to dinner! We had chicken nuggets and chips and pink lemonade and bless him he must have been so tired out he fell asleep at the table! His other brother did too so their parents came to get them. After dinner was Village Idol where the kids can do a talent show. It was so adorable to watch this one little boy had such good dance moves!

I really want to volunteer again. It would be nice to take a Sunday off and do it as they play the worlds largest CandyLand game. It was a really good evening and the place do such an amazing thing for these children and their families it's nice to spend time with them.