Today was the beginning of a new week, and our first school day at El Hogar. With some strong coffee under our belts, we joined the children at 7 am for their morning devotions. We were a bit tousled and dressed for work, but they were wide awake, in uniforms and raring to go. They had done chores, eaten breakfast and (mostly) fallen into lines making a neat square in front of their classrooms. There were a few notable exceptions. The newest boys, identifiable by their all blue uniforms and their hands shoved deeply in their pockets were standing back to back in the middle. They needed extra encouragement to line up. Then, with a couple of words from a teacher, they all parted like the Red Sea so that we could join them on one side.
A teacher read the children the Bible passage about the moment on the cross when Jesus tells one of the theives that He will see him that day in paradise and she gave a short homily. Then we were treated to a rousing rendition of the Honduran National anthem and flag raising. During the ceremony, teachers walked around behind the students and handed out what looked like tickets. We later learned from Dona Claudia that they were implementing a positive reward program. They surprised well behaved, attentive children with tokens that could be redeemed at the school store at the end of the week. (The system should sound very familiar to members of my family...) We were given a chance to introduce ourselves, and then the children filed off to class.
After breakfast we met with Dona Claudia. She answered some questions and then described the circumstances the children came from. Using stories and pictures she painted a picture of living conditions that were incomprehensible and heartbreaking. She cried. We cried. She was particularly sad and frustrated about the children she couldn´t help because their families -- particularly their mothers -- presented insurmountable obstacles. We were amazed by her successes, her passion, the personal risks she is willing to take for each child she befriends. It is going to be a very unusual and challenging year for the school. A large group of children returned to their remote and dangerous village on the north coast . Consequently there are 26 first graders this year. Many are tiny six year olds who were running wild in the streets and have never been exposed to structure and routine. She noted that they need lots of extra hugs (and some sponsors, hint, hint, hint.). After waiting VERY patiently, four of those new boys joined us. We were amazed to see the astonishing transformation that has already begun in them.
This afternoon, while the children were in class, we began our first work projects. Five of us painted a classroom while two of us moved dirt around the construction site that is the future dining hall and kitchen. We were about halfway through the job when the skies opened up. We got a good soaking. The crazy gringas (Claire and I) were red faced, sweaty and covered in dust. We kept working, enjoying the cool rain and it´s impact on the dust -- much to the amusement of the Honduran contractor and his crew.
Tonight we played with the children indoors in one of their two lounges. They clearly missed the opportunity to run around like maniacs and skate off cliffs on one rollerblade. There was a lot more card throwing than playing. But a good time was had by all and they were called off to bed before we knew it.
Good Night!
Janet
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