On Tuesday October 28th around 80 SALTT members went on two buses to La Escuelita in Lake Worth to participate in a day with Halloween activities. This was one of many different trips that SALTT does to be with these children. Today, I will share my experience as a freshman who participated.
They called us down during the end of third lunch, where we got separated into two different buses to go to two different schools. I went on the bus going to La Escuelita which I have previously been on before. The bus ride there was calm and we got there before we knew it.
When we got there, we set up the stations with fun games and activities, each one with candy for the kids. I was so excited to be back because my last experience was so much fun getting to know the kids.
We all paired up with 1 to 2 kids. I got paired up with a little girl named Manela and we helped them at each of the five stations.
At the stations we played games like a version of ring toss with Halloween hats, a relay race with fake spiders, we cheered the kids on as they played, and helped give out candies to them.
We also had a little dance party with Halloween songs. The kids had so much fun playing with us and the other kids as well. This experience with the kids being so happy left a mark on me. Seeing how the kids were just being kids with the things most of them are going through such as their parents being deported, them living with up to 20 people in one house, having to sleep on the floors sometimes, and being scared of people because of things that have happened in their family, was overwhelming
“My name is cocorhaha hahahaha,” said Manela, the name of the girl I was paired up with. It really showed how there is always some sort of innocence left because they are just kids like we all were.
“I’m going to miss you!” said the little girl I was paired up with before I left as I gave her a hug.
Saying goodbye to them at the end was so hard because even though you know you’re doing your best to help them, you’re leaving them in the same situation you came into, but you brought some joy to their lives by showing them love and kindness.
The SALTT Halloween field trip was one that will be memorable. We laughed, hugged, and shared so many happy moments with these children.
When there is a fundraiser for SALTT, please donate to help these children and their families, by helping to sponsor these beautiful events such as when the kids come here to ILS in March.
That’s it for now!
Go Royals!
