Friday, July 31, 2009

Sigue Adelante


Things have been very “tranquilo” or calm in Victoria the past month. I haven’t experienced any earthquakes (like the 7.3 a few months ago) nor have I experienced the aftermath of a shoot out lately-which is very comforting. Honduras only just kicked out their president, so besides some strong and not so strong opinions, nothing crazy has happened in my site. I do have to say though that for me the worst consequence of the political mess is how it affects the children here. The kids in my site were lucky with only missing about 2 ½ weeks of school due to teacher strikes (the teacher’s way of protesting the Zelaya/Michelletti swap), while others were out for longer and now only have school 3 days a week (half-days 7:30-12, common for schools in Honduras). I wish the teachers would find another way to protest-taking away the education of an already disadvantaged child could not hold a positive outcome. Some students in my high school STILL have not had certain classes due to the teacher’s refusal to have class. I am praying that everything settles quickly and is not drawn out another month. Si Dios quiere...
Well I apparently thought that I did not have enough work so I started three more projects this past week. Another TEAM or English (level 2) class, a project called Yo Merezco (“I deserve”-with a sexual education, self-esteem, morals/values building, etc emphasis for young girls (6th grade)), and a literacy/creativity/self-esteem/writing project (still looking for a worthy name) within the libraries of both of the elementary schools. This library project is connected with the one I am still working on-only now I am trying to get books donated to both elementary school libraries. I didn’t know that the other elementary school even had a library-there’s not much to it. However, I would like to say THANK YOU!!! to the wonderful people who have donated books already, the kids were so excited when I told them I had story books for them. With the help of my site-mate, I plan on using the books in the literacy/creativity/self-esteem/writing project throughout this school year and during the next as well. We could use a lot more books to fill up the shelves in the library if others are still interested!
I feel very comfortable in my site nowadays. Walking down the street I am always hearing “Adios Sarita!” and I get invites to visit people frequently. I was just talking to my site-mate today about how different it is for us (volunteers) that Hondurans spend so much time chatting with their family and friends. It’s hardly uncommon for people to chat for a few hours at a time drinking cafe. Not that people don’t visit and chat with friends and family in the States, but it’s definitely not nearly as common. Life is so much more relaxed, and it makes me question my go-go-go attitude I had in the States.
-Sarita-