Sunday, December 7, 2008
8:00AM I check out of motel. Fernando and I head for Roxana’s. I am still trying to get the numbers regarding enrollment, attendance and grades to show a picture of before/with the L4L program. I knew it would be difficult; it may not be doable. I am trying to get data that compares the number of 1st graders one year then the number of 2nd graders the next year, etc, to demonstrate the dramatic decrease. We’ll see, but the numbers won’t appear unless I sit here while they do it. I’m sitting here now. During this wait, I call Hotel Guijarros but they have no rooms. Guess I’ll stay at the Maya (which I really don’t like).
11:30AM The number tallying is almost done and I want to get on the road to Teguci so I ask if they can send the data to Jessica in Teguco. Fernando and I head for Nacaomi.
2:15PM At the Maya. Called rental car people to pick up the car. Reading over notes for meeting tomorrow.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Actually, a pretty fantastic day!
9:30AM Jessica and I are in the offices of Lechita, the powdered milk company of the Kafie family. Nicola Kafie greets us in the fairly small, typical factory office. She has a very friendly smile and pleasant personality. She is completely bi-lingual; doesn’t even have the Latino twang to her voice. She led us to her office that is large enough for a desk, small conference table and a few filing cabinets. All the furniture is the typical chrome-plated, square-tub frame with Formica tops; everything very functional, very factory. She admits that she hasn’t read our brochure and asked for an explanation. After the explanation, she asked how we got to Valle District; the Motorcycle Story, how did we get to the Kafie family? Great opportunity to explain that we were directed to them by Dr. Mossi of World Bank, and Dr. Avila (who needs no introduction in Honduras). Ms. Kafie listened and, I believe, absorbed what we were saying; she is very methodical and thorough. After our little dog-and-pony show was over, Ms. Kafie explained that the family contributes to many charities and she must be careful to stay within certain bounds. She explained that they usually provide some percentage for free and the remainder at some pre-determined price. I explained that L4L would like to provide advertisement space on each school sign and on our website in lieu of cash. We all exchanged numbers as Ms. Kafie explained that she would have to run any proposals past her father and uncle, but she would communicate with us within the week.
10:45AM Meeting ended. Jessica and I had not even reached the Hotel Guijarros before Ms. Kafie had called Fernando and Jessica for items of clarification. I believe she is serious about submitting some type of proposal! We’ll see.
11:30AM Sent email thanking Ms. Kafie for her time and attention.
1:00PM Walked down the hill through apartment buildings, houses, and shops, to a KFC for some lunch. “Down the hill” is a very long walk diagonally along a hill that rises up from the basin that is Teguci; probably 1.5 miles +/-, but it’s the walk back that counts.
2:15PM Walking back up the hill, wishing our morning meeting had ended an hour earlier so that I could have made it to the airport, changed tickets, and headed home. Then I hear a voice calling. Across the street in a SUV is Alcaldi Valesquez of Goascoran! I run into that guy in the oddest places! He introduces me to Mr. Cesar Gomez (I think, will confirm name later) who was riding with him. Mr. Gomez is a public official running for congress. We talk about L4L, I talk about PRAFF and how I need an intro to the First Lady if L4L is to team up with PRAFF. It seems that Mr. Gonzalez was raised in Nacaomi. Yes, he knows Fernando and thinks highly of him. And, even better, he is with the same political party as Fernando! Mr. Gomez is a little more modest than most Honduran politicians; he didn’t say he could get me in to see the First Lady but he will certainly try. Incidentally, for what it’s worth, Mr. Gomez is an economist and understands the value of what we are doing and realizes that we can do it cheaper than PRAFF (thereby, making PRAFF look good). After the most frustrating, fruitless week I’ve spent in Honduras and all of this in 6 hours!