So I ended up actually taking over 1000 images today. A hundred of those were various things I saw around town, but the other 900 were all of the kids at Oasis Catolico.
UGA students of various academic backgrounds volunteer Monday through Thursday to tutor children at Oasis. Being there today was inspiring, to say the very least. I love kids. I find them absolutely fascinating and just fun to be around. It was nice to play today and forget about all of the adultish things 20 year olds deal with.
There were noticeably less boy volunteers than girl volunteers. It was so funny to see everyone interact.
The kids loved the camera. Secretly, I loved when they would jump in front of the camera like this, or make funny faces right before I fired the shutter. I probably have 100 images where some kid noticed me and is making a face or a peace sign.
Like this.
By the end of the day, I was easily the most popular person there. These three friends were inseparable. They would come up to me and announce that they were reading a book together.. a.k.a. come take our picture!
At first some of the kids were even shy! It took the boy in the orange a while to warm up to me. But like all kids, curiosity took over and soon they were all over me.
These kids were so fun. I can’t wait to see them on Wednesday! I probably won’t bring my big bad camera next week, but as always, I’ll have something on me. I tried not to be distracting, but I know I was.
My favorite memory of the day was letting the kids take their own pictures. I know, I know, how could I let a seven or eight year old hold my darling camera? I showed them how to look through the view finder, and when they told me when, I would fire the shutter. The reactions were priceless.
It was so exciting for them to take their own pictures and to show their friends. I hope that every day I can find that same excitement in taking photos.
I have been checking out your blog in my rss reader for the last couple of weeks, I enjoy what I read.