Happy
Valentine’s Day 2010, known better here as a day of love
and friendship. A
few more weeks as busy as this past one may make me consider
retirement
Monday
morning it was the H1N1 flu vaccine given under duress in Tegucigalpa. Another
battle lost, but the war isn’t over, and I ‘m not
alone in my displeasure. I
thought I could then take the long route home, but there was
no way to get a five hour bus to San Pedro Sula in time to
catch the 1:30 bus for a four hour ride to Yorito. I
did manage give my supervisor the literacy folder and print
out for myself a copy of “Yo Se Leer en Honduras”,
the book written by PVC Sarah when we were in the Dominican
Republic, and then amplified and revised by me into a 55 page
literacy book for use here in Honduras. I
also got the toothbrushes for the Colgate program as we are
now expanding into the mountain communities. After
a bunch more work in the Peace Corps office, my fever went
up and caused me to sleep for a while.
Tuesday
it was up early to catch the only bus from the capital to Yorito
which leaves at 6 a.m. The
dusty bumpy ride got me home in just under six hours in time
to shower and go to the first meeting of the English 2 class
for teachers. Returning
teachers and some new had fun with a review of basic greetings,
numbers and colors followed by their first introduction into
the past tense, which isn’t presented in their book but
which I think they are ready for. Besides,
in daily conversation, we talk a good share of the time about
what we have done and where we have gone, so we need it.
Wednesday
morning I read Dr. Seuss to one group of kinder kids, a responsibility
I hope to transfer to parents this year. Then
it was off to the junior/senior high to plan two new youth
groups which I will lead starting in March. After
lunch I was in the library helping the librarian get the inventory
information into the computer, a project that should have been
completed a month ago. In
the late afternoon I worked on materials for a volunteer training
session I will be giving on literacy at our two day workshop
for all PC youth volunteers next week. Wednesday
evening the library committee met to finish planning our first
poetry night in the library on Friday.
Thursday
was another kinder class and then observations of two of my
English teachers. In
between the observations I introduced the elementary students
to jigsaw puzzles and had a very successful recess activity. Thanks
Linda for 25-100 piece puzzles and to others who have sent
cards which were made into 4-14 piece puzzles for the youngest
kids. Just
sat down at the computer in my house and the ground began to
shake, sending everyone out into the streets. We
had two 4.8 earthquakes within 15 minutes, and they were centered
within our municipality and department (state). No
damage where I live, but there were 20+ homes damaged in one
of our mountain communities. The
good news for the day was that I got a package from Joan and
other women in Gilroy. Thanks
to them we now have 14 beautiful book bags added to a few already
sent earlier, which will be given to teachers as they check
out puzzles, books, and puppets for use in their classes. Thank
you to everyone who has sent these wonderful materials for
use in classrooms.
Friday
morning I got my exercise as I needed to visit each of the
schools and kinders to get information for a couple of projects
out of Alabama regarding shoes for some poor students and materials
for several students who are being sponsored to continue their
education at the middle school level. Sixth
grade is the end of education for most of the students. Then
I got ready for the English 1 class that met for the first
time in the afternoon. We
started with TPR leading to lots of laughter as we learned
a number of actions and some basic objects. Then
we moved into greetings and basic dialogue before discussing
(in Spanish) the logistics and methodologies for them to use
when teaching the same material to their students this coming
week. That
is a requirement for being in the class!! Friday
evening was our “Poems of Love” session, poems
read by adults, youth and children. In
typical Honduran style everyone arrived late and hardly anyone
was prepared. The
books came off the shelves as many found poems to read. The
program turned out great with about 40 people present, double
our expectations. This
may become a monthly occurrence with a different theme each
month.
Saturday
morning it was sunny, so I managed to get some clothes washed
by hand with cold water on the cement “wash board” and
hung to dry before heading down the hill for the other English
2 class. It
was good to see familiar faces, some that I haven’t seen
for 3 months and others that I have run into or who have come
to visit. Next
week we will follow English class with an algebra refresher
since all my “teachers” are teaching ninth grade
to groups of 7-15 youth and young adults in different communities. Another
load of wash to scrub by hand. By
the way did you know that Fruit of the Loom underwear is made
in Honduras? Then
I needed to prepare the Colgate instructions, activities and
kits for the seven mountain communities already signed up. After
typing up the materials I needed to find a place to print the
lessons and then a different place to make copies. Once
the kits and copies were ready, I was off to take them to the
coordinator of this program for these small communities that
don’t have a regular kindergarten, so again I got my
exercise. I
still had a stiff neck which came on suddenly in the morning,
so I decided to just relax and read for the evening.
This
morning it was finish the laundry before a twenty minute bus
ride to Rio Abajo to help my Maestro
en Casa students
study for their second and last year of high school (11th grade). This
two month session we are doing chemistry, Spanish, and biology. They
will have weekly sessions with me and then study on their own,
maybe listening to the radio program that also gives instruction. This
afternoon I corrected English 2 pretests, and now I have English
1 pretests to do. I
am ready for tomorrow morning’s “Introduction to
the Computer Lab” for four groups of sixth graders, so
maybe I will read again and have a glass of wine.
I
am having so much fun that I actually applied for an extension
of my Peace Corps extension requesting to stay in Honduras
until November 2010. My
local counterparts wrote five great letters requesting that
I stay in the community. I
turned these into my supervisor (APCD) on Monday, and she is
extremely supportive. T
he papers went to the country director who wants to talk to
m. We
will have to wait to see if she grants approval.
An
extension will, among other projects, allow me time to establish
and coordinate the materials and activities planned for the
Peace Corps Partnership grant which I hope you read about at www.peacecorps.gov. Thank
you to those who have already helped me raise about 40% of
the funds I need --
the grant must be fully funded before any money comes here. I
am hoping for additional donations this week and full funding
this month. Thank
you. Thank
you. Thank
you.
Happy
Love and Friendship Day!!
