OPERATION DIVERSITY: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS!

On October 28, 2012, Adopt An Alleyway held their monthly event called Operation Diversity. As the program officer of this grantee, I was very excited to see what this group would do as they carried out such an amazing event! This group really focused a lot on building relationships and communications. Although the event starts at 1:00 P.M., the volunteers needed to arrive at 11:30 A.M. During this hour and a half, volunteers not only prepared activities for the kids, but also familiarized themselves with one another through self- introductions, ice breakers, and interactivity.

The theme on October 28, was El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) which basically celebrated an aspect of the Mexican culture. El Dia de los Muertos celebrated the death of loved ones, and it is believed that this month long celebration was a way for the dead to visit those in the “real” world. As the kids came in at 1:00 P.M., many of the volunteers began to take each to the floor so that they could color masks of skulls to later put on the kids’ faces. Many of the volunteers started to take responsibility for a couple kids, and they really interacted with them, some in English, some in Chinese.

Although there was a clear agenda, the agenda got changed because of a sudden event that was occurring called the Health Fair. Due to the parents’ requests for the children to attend such a fair, many of the volunteers took responsibility for three to four kids to guide them into the Healthy Fair so that they could be examined if they needed glasses, or dental check-ups.

After every kid finished their check-up, everyone went outside to hit a piñata, and get free candy! It proved to be a long, yet fun experience for not only the kids, but also the volunteers as we all watched and cheered for the kids as they hit the piñata with loud BANGS!

 After collecting all the candy, all the kids went in to watch the movie: Scooby Doo and the Monster of Mexico which again, brought relation to the Mexican culture. Overall, this day educated the kids not only with an aspect of the Mexican culture, but also on the importance of their health! 
Operation Diversity, MISSION COMPLETE!