Tuesday, October 21, 2008
7:00AM All are assembling. It seems that they brought along a support group that stayed in another motel. They brought two drivers, a video/camera man, and a laborer. An entourage of 4 for three managers; no wonder they are amazed at how low our costs are!
7:45AM On our way to Pierdras Blancas (cooks were in the kitchen, preparing lunch). The principal, Ms. Nunec welcome them graciously and explained the L4L program and benefits. Ms. Diez straightens her makeup and hair then walks into the school yard with camera rolling (all day, I will watch in amazement while all support staff as well as the other two managers work in concert to assure that Ms. Diez gets hours of video and hundreds of photo ops. The prop setups (like putting very poor children at each arm while she smiles, way over the top for my taste; a shameless and constant camera hogging episode). I showed them the dilapidated kindergarten class with collapsing roof.
9:15AM Rincon. Again, the principal welcomed all (lunch was arriving from various houses). We went back to look at the third (unfinished) kitchen. The Director said to the Secretary, in Spanish (so I wouldn’t understand) “it’s very small”.
10:00AM Coyolar. The principal welcomed all very graciously and ushered all into the kitchen. I believe the Director’s opinion about “small” changed as she saw the fire pit, work space and stockpiled supplies. After the kids ate, we were served the same lunch as the kids. Today is rice in a thick, sweet milk sauce and tortillas.
During our ride to San Lorenze I explained to the Office Manager, that our schools range in size from 22 to 130 with most 30 to 60 students and that we feel we can do the most good by providing a situation where children can stay in school in small communities where family, church, and community still provide a nurturing and positive environment. Next came an astonishing revelation that really puts a lot of things in prospective: The General Secretary to the Director told me that PRAF works under a directive that they are not to use time or funds on schools with less than 40 students, she wishes it weren’t so, but that is the directive (it’s simply not cost effective to work with 40 or 60 students when the same management time/money can work with 300 or 500 students). PRAF is not the only federal agency that works this way. Why do you think work was abruptly halted on a new school for Pierdras Blance (student population:36), or the roof of Los Almendros (student population 28) was not repaired for 18 months, or why none of these small schools have kitchens? Roxana’s description of the “small forgotten schools” is not only poetic; it is accurate. What schools do you think will be the first dropped from the UN program?
12:30PM in San Lorenz for a lunch of fried fish. I thanked all for taking the time to tour some of our schools; that we feel we can best serve the poor children of Honduras by continuing to expand the L4L program within rural Valle district, and I hope we can work together in the future. The director said that it is obvious that all of the school principals think highly of the L4L program; she can promise nothing but will do the following upon her return to Teguci:
- Call her counterpart with the UN and ask that the UN keep all L4L schools in the school food program during all of next year
- Look into the possibility of participating in our kitchen-building program (they see the terrible health risk of having lunch provided by many different parents from many different homes, most with dirt floors and unsafe water).
- Check her ’09 budget to see if there is any place for L4L.
2:00PM PRAF entourage headed for Teguci. I asked Fernando, Roxana, and Jessica for their assessment. Fernando is unimpressed. Roxana says we may get some kitchen pots and pans and they may help with a kitchen. Fernando asked me what I expected. I said I look for enough money to pay for one or two supervisors and double our size. All three were in agreement that L4L won’t get a dime of actual money; some items of assistance, but no money. We have met some influential people who have a favorable impression of L4L. Possibly, that is enough for now.
4:30PM Called Dr. Moncada. His mother is sick and he will not be able to come tomorrow.
6:30PM Fernando asked me over for dinner. I explained that his pay will be raised from $475 to $550 as of Jan. 1, 2009. He showed me his add for city council! He says there are several much stronger candidates right now, but it’s a start.
9:00PM In the compound. End of day.