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Carolin’s Story: The difference one year can make

Five-year-old Carolin began preschool last September along with her 20 new classmates at the CIMIV Children Center.

When her teacher, Arelis, began working with her, she quickly realized that Carolin was a special needs child, or so she thought. “When she came to us, she did not know how to eat at a dining table or use a proper toilet and could not speak clearly,” she says.

Carolin’s classmates laughed at her, as she often fought and screamed in class. “You are mad!” one of her classmates exclaimed as he poked fun at her.

Arelis met with Carolin’s mother several times, with no avail, trying to find out the reason for her behavior. Carolin’s family comes from a state of dire poverty, with two older siblings and two younger. Her inability to eat properly, use a toilet or even speak clearly was very likely a result of the poor conditions she was raised in. 

Though Carolin tested her patience, Arelis did not give up working with her. With a lot of love and dedication, Arelis taught Carolin to use the toilet, to sit and eat at a table properly and how to express her thoughts in clear language. Carolin also learned how to share with her classmates. She continues to learn how to function in proper living conditions at CIMIV and how to interact in kindness with her classmates.

After her first year at CIMIV, Carolin is now able to move up into the next grade this September. Her classmates respect her and she knows that she is loved!