Spring break was in April, so there was while there that I was in Italy and Barcelona. The first and last weeks of April when I went to the daycare, it was very evident that even the children there were excited about the summer weather. Everyone seemed a lot more cheery, and was amazing to see how the weather could affect adult and children's behavior. The most interesting day of volunteering however, was at the end of April. I walked into the school that Wednesday and was very confused. Something seemed off. Suddenly, I realized what it was. Usually the school was filled with sounds of childrens' voices and laughter and crying. That day it was not. Before I could wonder why, a teacher I didn't know came up to me and welcomed me into her classroom. Inside were only a few children playing, 6 or so, compared to the 15 to 20 some classes had.
"The teachers are on strike today", she explained. "These are the few children whose parents couldn't find alternate options. So I'm here with them today." I hadn't been aware that there was a need for a strike, and I found the whole situation fascinating. Although I wasn't able to learn a lot about the specific situation, I was impressed that so many parents had found alternate options for their children that day. Although I know it is not possible to find out, I am very curious about the home situations of the children that go here, and I am very interested in how these parents make a living for them and their children. Were the parents angry that the teachers went on strike? Did they stay home that day with their child? Did they find a babysitter? Did the parents respect the teachers' choices and support them? What caused the teachers to go on strike? There are so many questions that are left unanswered, and as I played with the children and helped feed them that day, I couldn't help but wonder if the strike would help the situation. I would definitely like to learn more.
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