March 9, 2009, Monday
8:00AM Fernando arrives. He has already set up our meeting with all school principals for Tuesday at 12:30. I asked Fernando to pick up our translator since she is available.
9:00AM At El Rincon. The principal is at an annual principal’s meeting in Goascoran. The children are in the middle of lunch. The kitchen is closed and locked. The principal has the only key. I was told that it is not finished on the inside and that is why it is not being used. As we drove away, I told Fernando to get necessary items completed at our expense so the kitchen can be used. Fernando said that the kitchen is finished and it is being kept closed while final touches are being completed. We will come back in the morning; if that is the case, I am going to suggest that the kitchen be used as these minor items are completed.
10:15AM At La Pina #1. Lunch has been finished. The kitchen has been finished and is in use. By the time we got there, the mothers who prepare the lunches had gone home. The kitchen was cleaned and the floor had been scrubbed. The wire mesh put between the wall top and roof planks to keep the bats out. There were no bats and no evidence of any bats in the kitchen. I am really convinced that these kitchens provide a level of hygiene not previously possible. I am also convinced that the parents understand the need for good hygiene and will provide it when circumstances and facilities permit.
11:00AM Found Mr. Edilberto, the principal of Jose Trinidad and arranged a meeting for Tuesday at 2:30PM to discuss the sponsorship of his school by Mr. Steve Gulledge, one of our faithful supporters back in the US.
12:00PM At a job site where a new border crossing is being built with the help of Japan. Meeting with the Alcalde about a meeting with the community concerning building a kitchen. Meeting is set for 2:00PM Wednesday. While I was with him, he called Mr. Cesar Gomez., who explained that he talked with the President’s wife and she is interested in meeting with us. He will set up a meeting. We’ll see. We also set up a meeting for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00PM to meet with the parents of Los Almendros about building a kitchen at the school.
1:30PM Meeting at Waldina’s house with her mother (this is the little girl that Elise and I financed through 7th grade last year and are financing through 8th grade this year). Of course, the cooking area where we met was full of others; mostly siblings. I explained: Waldina is intelligent and can be a good student. She became accustomed to high school last year and did ok. However, her grades dropped slightly during the year. I am providing the necessary funds for Waldina to stay in school. The mother must provide a lot of study time and a quiet place for Waldina or her grades will continue to drop. If Waldina does not maintain grades above 80%, the support will end, and Waldina will lose her one chance. If the mother does not provide ample study time and a quite place for study, it will be the mother’s fault that Waldina loses this chance. It is my observation that many who have never been to high school (such as her mother) believe that all one must do is attend. The family and mother do not understand that Waldina needs a little support. I delivered this message very matter-of-fact (one could argue, harshly). I did not get a “warm fuzzy”. Maybe there’s a bit of jealousy and apathy among the family. Waldina’s odds of success are not great.
2:30PM In my room attempting to sort out the next few days.