Tucked back into a quiet neighborhood on the 52^nd Manzana in Portocarrero, the clinic is usually the main attraction; bustling with patients and some times just people who want to hang out. This week was a different story. Monday there were a few of patients, while Tuesday, in contrast, there was no one that came. I think it was because of the rain. The rains came Monday early morning and didn’t even give us a break for lunch. Usually at least one or three brave souls make their way to the clinic – even in the ugliest of weather, but this week, no one. Wednesday – day off – no attention. The girls spent the day cooking for the hard-working boys, cleaning, and crocheting hats for the neighborhood kids. Thursday was really the only normal day of clinic with again, no patients. But even though there was a lack of patients, the neighborhood kids showed up everyday without fail to color and play and learn a little English.

There are 6 kids in particular whom the girls at Km 8 have almost adopted as their own. They live down the street in a small shack. The oldest one, Diana is 12 years old and the baby girl, Luanna, is 1 year old. Next there is Jack, 10, then Raquel, 9, Abel, 7, and Valentin, 3.  Their parents work everyday on the river and don’t return to the house until late at night. That means that the kids usually go all day without eating anything. They are always filthy and just really want to be loved. Most days, if the kids are really hungry the girls will make them some Ramen or give them some bananas or whatever else there is. Lauren has also given the two littlest ones, Luanna and Valentin, baths. “I just had to,” she says. “Luanna came in one day and she had food and dirt all over her face and clothes. So I gave her a bath. I don’t think she liked it very much. She was really grumpy afterwards, but hey, at least she was clean!”

School is starting on Monday, and for kids like Diana, Jack, and Abel who don’t have the money to buy even a pencil – it’s a very stressful time. It shouldn’t be like that. So the girls made them a deal. If the kids came everyday for a week to sweep the front room and pick up trash, they would buy them their school supplies. Oh, the smiles on their faces! Not only were they all eager to sweep and pick up trash – they wanted to do more. Raquel even helped Lauren make dinner one day. On the day before school, the girls went over to the little shack and knocked on the door, bag of supplies in hand. When the kids saw their brand new notebooks, pencils, erasers, and pens, they weren’t far from tears. “Diana just hugged me so tight,” Rachel tells me. “And when she finally let go, her eyes were full of tears. I almost started crying. They were just all so grateful for something so little.”