March 13, 2009, Friday
While at the river the other evening several of Fernando’s friends joined us. One of the friends is a teacher at a very poor school further out than Montana Bonito, but on this side of the river. This school goes from kinder through 9th grade and has over 180 kids; very unusual for such a rural area. The teacher asked if I would like to visit the school. I have nothing planned for tomorrow except to drive to Teguci, so I said yes. I didn’t connect the dots to realize that her interest was to get her school in the L4L program; I simply saw this as an opportunity to feed my curiosity. It’s all good, I (we) just have to be mindful that we represent something that is sought after and not raise expectations.
7:00AM On our way with 3 teachers. We started at sea level and climbed 2,000 feet. It was actually much cooler on these mountains at 9:00AM than it was in Nacaomi at 6:00AM. The dirt road is well maintained, for the most part; it is winds and twists all the way. The view is spectacular. From certain mountain ridges, we could look back to Nacaomi where the only distinguishing item is the church dome. It took us a little over a half hour to go 15 miles. Sometimes, very seldom, I follow an entire conversation is Spanish and, afterwards, really feel great. Sometimes, very often, I can’t follow any of the conversation and wonder what I think I’m trying to do. This was one of those bad times. I have explained that, in most incidences, the kindergarten is counted as a separate school by the Honduras government, with the teacher having the rank of Principal of the kindergarten. Now I know why. It has been recognized, even in Honduras, that 5-year-old kids simply can’t walk as far as 6-year-old kids so, when appropriate, they establish a stand-alone kindergarten in a community, hence kindergarten is looked upon as a separate school with a principal by the Honduras government. This is the case out here. There are 10 kids at this kindergarten and two other kindergartens in local communities that send first graders to this “centralized” school. So this school has 10 Kindergarten kids and 27 first graders. This school continues through 9th grade. I don’t understand why. In this area, the schools only feed kindergarten kids. I didn’t figure that one out either. The Kindergarten mothers share cooking chores. The “kitchen” is a rundown adobe hut with half a roof. The principal starts the fire and the kindergarten teacher sets up the pots and pans; then, the mothers take over. The teacher made her point; this really is a poor school. I wish my Spanish were better; I missed so much of this visit.
12:30PM Checked out of the motel and on my way to Teguci.
2:30PM In the Hotel Guijarros. Taking notes, relaxing. End of day
March 14, 2009, Saturday
8:30AM Went to IHCI Spanish school to discuss classes with Carlos Mejia. We discussed 6 weeks with 4-hour days and 4 day weeks. He would rotate teachers each two weeks. We discussed a lesson plan (I will develop one).
9:30AM Couldn’t catch up with Pr. Schemechel or Dr. Avilar.
March 15, 2009, Sunday
10:00AM Waiting for Hector Martinez McNaught
11:30AM Hector calls to say he is at the Hotel Real Vista Hermosa! Misunderstanding. Drove to Nacaomi.
1:30PM I really like this guy. When I got there he was walking back from the city center market area. He had been taking pictures of the market center (the heart of rural cities) and especially of very poor children working in the area. The question: What kinds of work can very poor very young kids do? Without being asked, he is developing a picture log of just that. Hector had plenty of time to think about the project (taking photos and preparing Power Point presentations). We come to an agreement. He is able to take the casual unnoticed (or, at least, non-intrusive) pictures that none of us could get.
3:00PM I left Hector and headed to a private 45th birthday party for Alex (a friend of Fernando’s – isn’t everyone! – and a teacher at El Barrial). The party isn’t till 6:00 PM
6:15PM Birthday party. My Spanish is not nearly good enough to carry me through the lively banter full of colloquialisms, double entendre, and lively conversation. It was fun to watch but I really couldn’t fit in.
8:30PM End of day
March 16, 2009, Monday
7:00AM I explained the arrangement with Hector as our photographer to Fernando.
7:30AM Fernando, Hector, and I set out for El Picacho to take pictures. While Hector walked the school yard and took pictures in the classroom.
9:00AM At Nueve Honduras Escuela. Another photo session for Hector. This is a school of 85+/- students with a very active parents group and a well organized school. I have been here very seldom and hope to visit again.
11:30AM Fried chicken joint along CA-1. This is a Honduras version of KFC. It is a well seasoned deep-fried with coleslaw (of sorts) and thinly sliced fried bananas (really good with a little bit of salt). A good spot when you are on the El Amatillo side of our area.
2:00PM At Santa Lucas for the annual parent’s meeting. Only about 12 parents are here but I have been here several times and know this is a well-run school with a strong mother’s group. Fernando followed our approved outline a little better and made a better point of commenting on each point.
5:00PM San Lorenzo for fish dinner.
6:30PM In the compound. End of day
March 17, 2009, Tuesday
6:00AM There was a mix up on today’s Parents Meeting, seems that it was scheduled for tomorrow! Since we have a free day, Fernando and I are on the road for Teguci. We need powdered milk and sugar. With no commitments, this seems like a good day to fit this in. While in Teguc, I stopped by the coffee place and ordered 20 pounds to bring back with me. It’s a small shop where they roast coffee as it is ordered so they need a few days notice.
4:00PM In Nacaomi. Some friends of Fernando’s (who I have come to know) went to San Lorenzo for dinner with us. One thing led to another and I was driving back to the motel well after dark by myself. Not all that late, 8:30PM, but definitely after dark. Something I actively try to avoid. It’s not that dangerous if nothing goes wrong (which sounds a little redundant). I don’t like it because it simply reduces the margin of error. Obviously, nothing went wrong but the point is that one should actively maintain a fairly large margin of error and I did not tonight.
9:00PM In the compound. End of day.