Vegan Momma

Yesterday, after our mentoring session, A and I met with the executive director. The school year is winding down and we need to start pairing our fifth grade girls (six girls) with one on one mentors. H, our executive director, wanted to get feedback about each of the girls.

A & I have been around them the longest. I’ve interacted with our girls and their parents regularly. We met for about two hours last evening. I believe we provided her with some valuable information. We were able to provide her with very specific information about each girl. You don’t get that type of info unless you spend a lot of time listening to the children. We’ve earned their trust & respect.

We all want to see them placed with a mentor who they’ll be able to connect with. They will be matched with mentees based on our suggestions. Many of our girls have gone through a lot in their young lives. Quite a few have faced challenges that many children & adults never see unless they check out the news. I’m very protective of my girls (mentees.) I view them as family.

Almost immediately I knew who my mentee was going to be. She reminds me so much of myself when I was a child. in the beginning she was very quiet, over time she has become more talkative. I definitely made an effort to draw her out. Whenever I would see her I would make an effort to engage her in conversation.

As with my other mentees I would notice the differences in her appearances (new hair style, new shoes) and compliment her. I alway asked how her weekend went. In doing so, over time, she actively sought me out and started telling me more about her. This has lead to her speaking out in our group sessions.

As adults, at times, we tend to overlook the ones that aren’t making themselves known. The ones that are just there. We truly need to make an effort to reach out to them also just because they are quiet, or not causing trouble, doesn’t mean they don’t need the extra attention. They all need it. I try to give each of my mentees my undivided attention.

The majority of my mentees wanted to have me as a mentor. I know! I know! It’s shocking to me also. I’ve already told them that I could be everyone’s 1:1 mentor although part of me would love to do so. I only have the time to take on one mentee.

My soon to be mentee has had a fairly tough life. I think financially she suffers more than the other girls. She doesn’t have a materialistic things but she does have a very loving mom. Her mother is a single mom and honestly cannot afford to provide a lot of extras for her three children.

I’ve met her mom many times. I really like her. She’s warm, friendly, and always have a smile. After meeting D’s mom. I can see she has a lot of her qualities. I gave her mom my number and told her to call me anytime. I meant that. I rarely give out my number but all my mentees have it as well as their parents.

Next year Aiyana and I will be taking a trip out of the country. I would love to include D but that’s up to her mom.