Challenges

Fruit Break!


Me with some of the niños... notice the adorable twins, Jessica and Dianna

So, the kids are absolutely amazing... and have had us so busy, which is why I haven´t written in a week. My heart is swollen with love for these little Guatemalan angels. My fears of not being able to speak in proper Spanish with them have dissolved because I´ve learned that affection and eye contact and smiles are all you need to connect with a child in need of love and comfort.

Alana and my class is 5 to 10 year olds, a lot in school for the first time, and some in their second year. Kate and Leigh are teaching 5 and 6 year olds, and two new girls, Avery (from Maine) and Sandra (from Quebec) are teaching the equivalent of1st and 2nd graders. Basically Alana and I are teaching them their colors, vowels, shapes and animals. It´s actually a lot more fun than it sounds!This is Maria Veronica and her sister Maria Leticia...
both so so shy but are clever and have the most beautiful smiles.

On Friday we had the weekly Sports Day, when we take all of the kids (in a long line, holding onto a rope, which has proven to be a very efficient way to transport 30 five year olds!) to a local field, where we do stretching in a grande circle, then some funny races, jumping on one foot, piggy backs, etc... and then the girls play with hair and make bracelets while the boys play their beloved futbol (aka soccer). They loved this play time, since a lot of them miss out on the joys of childhood while they´re working in the fields after school.

Alana and my secret main mission is to open up two of our girls, Glendy and Maria Angelica, who are sisters, and who barely speak Spanish, mostly just their native language...they are super shy and very very poor...they work in the fields after school each morning, and probably get to wash or shower once every couple of weeks. Slowly we´re seeing them smile more often and become a little more affectionate with us.


This is an excerpt from my friend Leigh´s blog...I thought it was great and so true. Although I haven´t personally experienced the cockroaches or stomach sickness (yet!), I have experienced it vicariously!

10 Days, 10 Things Learned...

1. Let the little things go. Example-Cockroaches in your room...NOT a big deal.
2. Being filthy dirty isn´t so bad.
3. Wild dogs are just that-wild!
4. The children do not mind that you cannot communicate with them perfectly-a smile and affection is universal.
5. You WILL get sick. Day 10, stomach rebels.
6. Toilet paper in other countries-VERY thin.
7. The traveler´s footwear of choice, Havianas.
8. Thou shall not judge.
9. When trying to learn a language-study, practice, study, speak.
10. When living with host family, clean your plate at every meal or you will be served considerably less next time.
11. I am ridiculously lucky.