Building confidence

Monday, December 13, 2010

I usually spend Monday morning with Kory, our Director of Development, but he was flying back from a trip and was part of that unfortunate group of travelers who have gotten delayed and snowed out all over the Midwest. It gave me some unexpected time to answer Christmas cards and work around the office.

Jalynn and Mikeal will be traveling with us to St. Augustine next month to speak to our friends in that area during an appreciation luncheon. As they practiced for the first time, they both giggled and weren’t sure what to say about themselves, but that is why you practice – to build up their confidence. One of the girls lives close by the school, and goes home many weekend to help her elderly grandmother who has raised her. She cleans floors, takes out trash and does lots of work that Grandma cannot. Talk about assuming responsibility at an early age!

The William Home (4^th and 5^th grade girls) held their annual Christmas open house, with goodies they themselves had made. They spent the weekend baking and cooking and had many delicious treats. Staff members stopped off after school to partake of the holiday spirit. When I arrived, Laslie greeted me and took my coat. Winona offered me some hot cider and showed me where the food was set out. Later the girls offered tours of the home to those who wanted to see.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School