Monday November 14, 2011
6:00AM Cleared Montgomery Airport security and waiting for flight to Atlanta. The box of paperback dictionaries that I will use as graduation gifts in my carry-on was too dense so the security guard took the box of dictionaries out of my suitcase and re-ran them thru
the scanner. Guess what; they were still too dense! This is why we get to the airport
very early.
10:00AM Plane to Teguci left on time. Less than 1/3 full. Each of the major airlines
sends one flight per day to Teguc; I hope they don’t start dropping planes from an already
slim lineup. Landed on time. He landed a little fast but the plane had good breaks. Had
to open vitamins and books but customs agent was sympathetic to the cause and passed me without much delay.
4:30PM Checked in General, ate a late lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant, rental car
delivered. Everything is set to go to Nacaome early in the morning. Probably could have
driven to Nacaome this afternoon but am cautious about not driving in the evening.
Tuesday November 15, 2011
6:30AM On the road to Nacaome. The rainy season that is just over was really hard on the road. Many areas where parts of the road have slid down the hill, large areas where there is enough movement of the road that the pavement has deteriorated and lots of huge
potholes. Am glad I didn’t make the run yesterday afternoon. This is the main road from
Teguci to CA-1 and southern ports; the road is kept open and passable but, with no signs,
night driving is out of the question.
10:00AM At the Hotel Real Vista Hermosa in Nacaome. Fernando and I went to the
coffee/breakfast shop in el centro to have breakfast and catch up. Fernando is getting
over a pretty bad summer flu. Checked on translator, schedule for the week, went to the bank, etc.
1:00PM Fernando went home to rest, I’m getting stuff (medic’s kit, flashlights, wet
wipes, etc.) together for our visitors and catching up on admin stuff.
5:00PM Went to a small restaurant in el Centro for dinner
6:30PM In the compound. End of day.
Wednesday November 16, 2011
7:30AM Fernando and I are on the road to the Teguci airport. The road is bad;
the trip is slow.
10:30AM We’re having breakfast at a restaurant/bakery near the airport.
11:30AM Our translator, Maria Rivera arrived. She and I found a table in an airport
coffee shop. I explained what I expect of a translator. Now we wait for Sandy…
1:30PM Sandy is through security. We’re on the road.
2:30PM We stop for lunch at a small, simple restaurant. Today’s choice is
chicken or beef. Other items such as beans, salad come with the meal; you don’t get a
choice. This same restaurant has a private zoo in the back. A couple of indigenous fox,
monkeys, parrots, hawks, pigs, raccoons, etc. Actually, better kept than I would have
expected.
4:30PM At the hotel Real Vista Hermosa.
6:00PM Alcalde Velasquez arriver for dinner with his wife. Had a very pleasant
dinner. Mr. Velasquez explained that the government is restructuring the Department of
Education. In the past total management/admin structure was top-down. The smallest
detail was dictated from the top. Local communities were required to register grievances
with the Central Government in Teguci and the central administration would get to the
detail in their own time. Remember when Jicaro Centro didn’t have a teacher assigned for
half a year, until Fernando got involved? The result of top-down micromanagement. Over
the years, local communities simply stopped submit requests/grievances; they took what
they got. Education Department money was passed down through channels; little money made it through to the schools. Teachers came and went as they pleased, including determining their own work schedule. In one rural school, the teachers decided to come 4 days a week; the community had no (effective) recourse.The new management system referred to as COMDE will set up our equivalent of a school board in each school district. This “school board” will monitor teacher’s performance, attendance, etc. Federal education money will be given to the “school board” to purchase supplies deemed most necessary by the “school board”. Members of the “school board” will consist of the community “President”, a teacher, church leader, an at large representative. Mr. Velasquez wants permission to appoint a member of the L4L staff to the COMDE committee in school districts where L4L supports schools. We’ll see what comes of this but it’s a real honor to be considered and another indication of the impact of L4L on the local communities.
9:00PM Mr. Velasquez and wife leave. End of day.
Thursday November 17, 2011
7:00AM Fernando arrives and we went to the sidewalk kitchen where they
serve “baladas”, scrambled eggs and beans in a flour tortilla and coffee. Always good.
8:00AM Headed to Pedro Nufio
9:15AM Arrived at Pedro Nufio. We waited outside of the schoolyard as the
children lined up along both sides of the walk, at the end of the line were children
holding up a set of signs that read “Gracias First United Methodist Church”. As we walked between the two rows of children, they were clapping. There is a raised walkway in front of a school room that was set up as an improvised stage. Children have brought desk chairs out and arranged them as an auditorium in front of the “stage”. A special row of desks was set up for us dignitaries. As things got set up, we walked to the kitchen so Sandy could see it. Mothers were cooking chicken vegetable soup. With the smokestacks
built into the fire pits, there was more smoke in the kitchen than I expected. We walked
back to the “stage” area. There had been a slight modification; our desk-chairs had been
moved up on the “stage” area facing the audience. We took our seats and the ceremony
started. They opened with a prayer, played the US National Anthem, sang the Honduras
National Anthem. Two or three groups of little kids sang songs, a high school girl
recited, from memory, a very well written critique of Honduras history. The school
principal welcomed us and thanked us on behalf of the staff. Then it was our turn; Sandy,
Fernando, and me. After the ceremonies, we went to the kitchen. An official from the
Mayor’s office was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony (Fernando commented to me, on the side that the Mayor’s office had done nothing, now they want to be part of the
ceremony; Fernando wasn’t real happy with this). Sandy cut the ribbon that had been put
across the door to the applause of all. The staff had covered the plaque with a cloth.
Sandy pulled the cloth away from the plaque to applause. The kids lined up to eat;
youngest to oldest, then we were served.After eating, we visited each class room. Fernando collected all 6th graders who were available (7 of the 8). I expressed our pride in their accomplishment and Sandy handed out dictionaries. All in all, a very pleasant ceremony.
1:30PM We drove to los Tablas to look at the kindergarten building. It’s all
finished, just needs paint. Gerard, I’ll bring a CD of pics when I return. Really a
great looking building, I hope someone from Bentley will come for dedication so they can
see what they are doing. We got there late enough that all from the school had left.
3:00PM In the motel, free time (translate, take a nap).
5:30PM in el Centro, eating dinner at a sidewalk café. Dinner choices; pork or
(very tough) beef. Always a very pleasant place to relax in the evening.
7:00PM In the compound. End of day.
Friday November 18, 2011
7:00AM Eating a plate of papaya, bananas, and fried plantains on the patio.
7:45AM Headed for 3 de Octobre. Road is worse than usual due to long rainy
season.
9:00AM At school. Received warmly by all. I’ll let Sandy describe the day.
After introductions of all the staff to us, we went on a tour of the kitchen and class
rooms. The Principal presented Sandy a letter of appreciation on behalf of the
school/parents/community for Sandy to deliver to the Roswell Rotary Club; we used this
opportunity for a photo op with many very willing participants (all the children). Lunch
was served; equivalent to our red beans and rice. Sand asked about vitamins; given to the
children upon arrival at school. The principal talked about how listless the children
were before the program and how much more alert and energetic they are now. The principal
also explained that 4 of the boys are sent by their respective mothers from the next
district over because there is a meal here. The boys walk over 1 1/2 hours to school each
day. Ask Sandy or Kristi about the mountain the boys cross to get here. Sandy could see
the decrease in brown hair as one looks toward the older kids who have been on the program
for several years.
1:30PM Picked up Miriam (Anabel’s mother) on the way back to the hotel, then Anabel at
her school. Went to San Lorenzo for fish dinner. Once again, I’ll let Sandy give his
impressions on Anabel and Miriam. Anabel never had to study during elementary school to
make exceptional grades; she is having a hard time adjusting to a more demanding
environment and I could see that she is feeling the pressure. Always a good meal of fried
fish.
5:00PM Back at the hotel. End of day.
Saturday November 19, 2011
6:30AM Breakfast of papaya, bananas, and fried plantains on the patio.
8:10AM Fernando arrived. Fernando has been nursing a bad cold all week. Hope he can hold up for the week. Headed for the airport. Bad road, lots of truck, bus traffic; slow going for the first ¼ of the trip. As traffic thinned out, we could pick up the pace; but still a little slower than normal due to the deteriorated road. Stopped along the way for coffee and rosquillas (a cookie/cracker baked in an oven using firewood). Some say they can taste the wood smoke in the cookie, I cannot.
10:30AM At the airport.
11:30AM Got Sandy to the security checkpoint, established phone contact, said our good-byes. Fernando and I left to do chores.
1:00PM Picked up some magnetic L4L signs for the pickup. Went to a tire shop for Fernando, office supply store, etc. Signed in at the Guijerros.
4:00PM Dinner at Asado el Gordo (steak restaurant). Bad service; I refuse to go to el Patio due to bad/slow service, now this. Guess I’ll have to lower my expectations (and tips) if I’m going to eat.
6:30PM In the Guijerros. End of day.
Sunday November 20, 2011
9:00AM Fernando and I are at the Hotel General waiting for Kristin Denny, and Marlon (our translator). As it turns out, Kristin and Denny are early risers so they left early to visit a local mountain community. All arrived by 11:00.
11:00AM Headed for airport. Sunday morning; light traffic.
1:00PM Plane arrived on time. Claire, Sarah, and Kimberly were on board. All processed into country without delays.
2:00PM We stopped at the same restaurant described during Sandy’s ride to Nacaome. Choices of beef and chicken but they ran out of
beef before they got to Fernando. Fernando had beef liver; don’t know why they didn’t offer that option when telling us what was available
(not that I would have had it). Took a few minutes to walk through the “zoo”.
4:15PM At Motel Real Hermano Vista.
6:00PM The group went to evening Catholic service at Fernando’s church. In this particular Catholic Church, babies are formally presented to the congregation shortly after birth and baptized after confirmation. After a long service a baby was presented and a page of
announcements were given. An extremely long service!
7:30PM In compound sharing the beer Fernando wouldn’t let us have before the service. End of day.
Monday November 21, 2011
7:00AM Breakfast at a sidewalk kitchen. We had “baladas” (see Nov 17). Am learning as we go; there must be some variety for a larger group. Some don’t like eggs, some don’t like beans. With one item on the menu, some would have preferred to eat elsewhere. Nobody
complained.
9:00AM At Jicaro Abajo. Very unorganized. I have known this principal for a long time. She is very organized and very dedicated. She is also very quiet and reserved. What I didn’t know is that she is also very shy. She actually avoided the visitors. When asked a question, she would answer concisely and completely then drift off to a desk by herself and make herself busy. The second teacher also had a child graduating from 6th grade so was dressed up and hanging with the other mothers. This is the first graduation ceremony with gringos at this school. Fortunately we had Fernando; he jumped in and helped organize the formal presentation. Parents and children were standing around in small groups; just standing. I had hoped we could get more interaction between visitors and locals; it didn’t happen. I think my frustration/aggravation showed through and probably contributed to the atmosphere. That evening, when Fernando and I compared notes, we talked about the lack of organization and I mentioned that my impatience may have shown through. Fernando confirmed that it did, his assessment was something like “Most parts of the graduation went great, a few parts not so much. Everyone is here to enjoy the day, if a part goes a little slowly, just relax and enjoy the day. Everyone watches you; if you appear impatient, it affects everyone. We’re not “managing” anything here, we’re just helping a little as we go along”. It’s a good thing we have Fernando; actually, he did choreograph
the entire event. These mothers who were too humble to interact had prepared a fabulous lunch; some show by doing what they can’t show by saying. As things were set up, Sarah, Kristin, and Kimberly played a game of Duck-Duck-Goose with the kids. Am not sure how well anyone understood the game but everyone was running around tagging someone. In the end, the entire event turned out just fine. The day seemed disjointed to me because I like more structure; Sarah will understand. This school is sponsored by Living Waters Lutheran Church. Please ask Kristin and Denny for their observations and sensibilities about the school and the graduation ceremony. In the end, if the event is truly for the graduates, than a good time was had by all.
1:00PM We drove down the very rocky side road/creek bed to Jicaro Centro. Remember, this is the school that had no teacher for 6 months. Fernando finally took a delegation from the community to the Department of Education and the news media (see previous Trip Log for
details). Much better organized, we were well received. As we met community leaders, an older man (whose name I don’t remember) joined us. I explained to our visitors that this is the elder statesman of the community. Each election a different responsible man is chosen as
Community President. This elder statesman teaches each one his job and is always in the background to assist. The present president is a man of 30-something. I am sure he is dedicated and a true asset to the community but this is a humble community; he is not used to talking
to a whole group of gringos who come in new 4 door pickups with translator, cameras, bottled water, and all. He welcomed us with two sentences. At the end of the ceremony, the elder statesman stepped forward and gave a truly heartfelt presentation recognizing Fernando for
helping re-establish a teacher in the community, provide food for the school, and for having enough confidence in the community to bring a sponsor for the school. I think even those who couldn’t understand the words felt his sincerity. There was applause from the community for
each speaker, each dignitary. I thought it was very telling that the loudest applause was given to the new school principal. This a big deal because it indicated the communities acceptance and appreciation of her though she has been here less than 4 months. This is a good place to be.
4:30PM Back in town
6:00PM At a sidewalk restaurant that sells something rolled in a taco with a 12” diameter. I have no idea what is in these rolled
tacos but it really is good.
7:30PM In the compound. End of day
Tuesday November 22, 2011
6:00AM Breakfast in the motel. Everyone started congregating. Anabel stopped by to get help with English. We set up for Kimberly and me to visit her house once we return from el Barrial. Gave her 10 Lps (55 cents) for a taxi so she wouldn’t be late to school.
7:30AM We don’t have to be at el Barrial till 10:00; actually, we shouldn’t get there early as they are setting up for graduation. We wiled away a few hours walking through the marcado in el Central. Of course, everyone greeted Fernando as we walked around. One lady called in a very light hearted way to Fernando “Hey Fernando, bring me a gringo!” I smiled and asked her “What type of gringo do you want?” She pulled a towel up in front of her face and said to the women with her “I didn’t think anyone would understand.” A good time was had by all, Gringos and locals alike.
9:30AM Headed for el Barriel. While rains were pretty intense during the rainy season, bringing devastating mudslides in Guatemala and El Salvador, I believe the storms were beneficial for the farmers in our area. Mellon and corn fields are maturing without the stress
that can be evident during dryer years. There was a huge crowd in the school yard! I would guess 150 adults. All 6th grade graduates and kindergarten graduates wore pink shirts with black tie, pants/skirts, and shoes.The school principal was the final speaker. He started out by recognizing the participants who had come from other towns and even as far away as Nacaome to participate in this celebration. He recognized the students for their accomplishment. He went on to say that he had never seen a school community work together for a common goal, not even in Nacaome (translate to more affluent schools). He attributes this school/community growth to the relationship, over the last few years with Messiah Lutheran Church; where the community and Messiah Lutheran Church work together to a common goal on several projects. He hopes this relationship will continue into the future and that the community will continue to enthusiastically be involved in these projects. He turned back to the graduates and explained that this type of cooperative effort should be an example to them as they grow into adulthood. The presentation was much more elegant than I have expressed here. I believe he had thought his presentation through very thoroughly and the huge crowd gave him the empties to forcefully deliver it.
2:20PM Headed for motel.
3:00PM Kimberly and I were at Anabels. I listened for a few minutes and came to understand that Anabel knows what she knows; hopefully, it’s enough to pass the final but she is behind and won’t catch up without assistance. As Kimberly and Anabel went through some exercises, I called Juan Rosa and set up for Juan to help Anabel one hour 3 times a week during the December thru mid-February vacation period.
4:30PM Kimberly and I are back In the compound.
6:00PM We all got together for dinner at the motel restaurant. A professional Honduras soccer team is staying at the motel. This is their staging place for a tournament to be held tomorrow in Choluteca. First of all Fernando heckled them from our patio table, later Kristin went into their pre-game strategy session to ask why they don’t put more into helping the poor of Honduras. I am sure the team took this motel off their list of options while traveling.
8:00PM End of day.
Wednesday November 23, 2011
6:00AM Group started gathering on the patio for breakfast. I asked for comments concerning L4L and the 4 day tour we are finishing.
• Denny said he wishes we could turn the attention to the graduates and away from our participation.
• Kristin said it would be nice if we could track the progress of our graduates after graduation.
• Sarah said she felt that last year’s graduation ceremony seemed more spontaneous and this one a little too structures.
8:30AM Headed for Teguci
9:45AM Stopped for tamalies mid way between Nacaome and the airport. They were out so we ate rosquillas and drank coffee.
10:30AM At the airport processing through. In the food court next to security. Just enough time to shop for some souvenirs, a commodity
lacking in Nacaome.
12:45PM Kristin and Denny went through security.
1:30PM Claire, Sarah, and Kimberly went through security.
1:45PM Fernando headed for Nacaome. Using my GPS, I headed toward the Hotel General, or at least toward a point I thought was the Hotel General. I knew I was on the wrong side of the river as the roads started to narrow and the buildings started to close in. Not at all
where I wanted to be. I knew I needed to cross the river, drive across the opposite ridge, pass the stadium, then work my way up the far hillside (hidden right now by the first ridge). I also knew this is no time to trust my senses. There was an empty taxi with driver just to
the left. I pulled real close and lowered my window while keeping back from the window; only the taxi driver could see me. I explained that I will pay him if he will guide me to the Hotel General. Off he went with me following. Had we not passes certain markers (cross the river,
climb to the ridge, pass the soccer field, make our way up the next hill side) I would have veered off, and made a few turns to lose him and try with another taxi. He took me exactly where I wanted to go. He was really happy when I gave him 100Lps ($5.00), so was I.
3:00PM Hotel General is booked but they set me up at the Plaza San Martines Hotel just across the street. A really big room but I will stay with the Hotel General when given a choice.
4:00PM went to Italian Restaurant for dinner
6:30PM In the compound. End of day
Thursday November 24, 2011
9:00AM Processed out of Plaza San Martines Hotel.
10:00AM In Guijerros. Called Marisa Rietti, last year’s President of the Club Rotario Nueva Teguc about attending this evening’s meeting. It turns out that the Nueva Rotario meets on Wed. evening. Marisa will set up a lunch meeting for tomorrow with this year’s President and,
possibly others. Spent the day relaxing and catching up on admin stuff.
8:30PM End of day.
Friday November 25, 2011
Had hoped to meet with Lic. Cinia Maria Pineda M., the social science researcher who spoke at the Honduras Embassy sponsored meeting I attended last month in Atlanta but it wasn’t to be. I’ll plan better next trip.
12:30PM Met Marisa at THI Fridays for lunch. She will rekindle interest in L4L over the next few weeks. We talked a great deal about the February Rotary Future Vision Fair to be held in Teguci on February 2 through 4. This fair will include clubs from the entire district; Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. Rotary Clubs, in-country service organizations, and NGO’s will have booths. The purpose is to combine Rotary Future Vision Clubs with projects that suit them. Both Rotary Clubs and NGO’s will be promoting their respective interests. L4L will have a booth. Kristi, warm up the promotional juices; we are going to make this event work for us; display, videos, handouts, the works!
1:30PM Headed for Nacaome. Same bad road, same tedious trip.
3:30PM Fernando and I are comparing notes over a beer. Fernando must go to a kindergarten graduation at 4:00.
7:15PM Fernando and I head to Choluteca Rotary Club meeting.
8:10PM We arrive a few minutes late but that’s ok. This club meeting is intended as a relaxing Friday night out and the meeting is not nearly ready to start. Incidentally, this club is all men; still legal in Honduras. More discussion about the February District Future Vision Fair. Some discussion about L4L. Fernando asked if a member of the club could stand in for Steve at the Rotary Club Piedras Blancas Elementary School graduation. Why didn’t I think of that when Steve notified me that he can’t attend?! There was interest but, I believe we asked too late for club members to schedule. A good meeting.
10:30PM In the compound. End of day.
Saturday November 26, 2011
8:00AM Fernando asked if it would be alright if Dr. Cerrato accompanied us to the school graduation in the community of Torrecillas for Jose Angel Cerrato Elementary School this morning. Dr. Cerrato is attached to what we would call the County Health Department. Dr.Cerrato has been very helpful in seeing to it that L4L schools receive WFP food supplies even when other schools don’t. Of course it’s alright! Mr. Cerrato has been a very strong ally of L4L for many years. Drove to Dr. Cerrato’s house; he wasn’t quite ready. Drove to
Fernando’s house; he had forgotten his wallet. Returned to Dr. Cerrato’s house.
8:50AM We started our 45minute to 1 hour ride for a graduation scheduled for 9:00AM. The roads are mountainous and rough; you don’t
make up time. During the ride, I learned that Dr. Cerrato’s father was raised in the community of Torrecillas, further, that the school is
named for a family relation.
9:45AM At the school. Small one-room schoolhouse. There were a half dozen parents all of the graduates, and another handful of kids. I gave our apologies to the Principal who was delighted to see us (we weren’t the Patrinos; just invited guests). The graduation ceremony hadn’t started; still preparing and waiting for parents and Patrinos. The ceremony didn’t start till 11:00!! My typical Gringo concern about being late and we were among the early ones. We truly are on Mountain Time.Of course, Dr. Cerrato and Fernando knew the adults as they arrived and we were received warmly by everyone. I was surprised by the number of young men and women (15 to 20 years old) who came by for the celebration. I guess this is the biggest event of the weekend, so why not attend? By the time the celebration started, the entire room was full; graduates sitting front-center, parents around them, general public filling the rest of the room. The “front” wall (wall the audience was facing) acted as a stage and had been tastefully decorated with the school name and the name of the Patrinos. Each year, a school will pick a successful family or person(s) somehow related to the community to serve as the Patrino. The intent is to leave the 6th grade graduates with an example of a successful person, a role model that they can relate to. This year there were two (whose names I will have to get). One man had an easy smile and greeted everyone warmly, he was there early and always engaged; he reminded me of Fernando I never heard what he does. The second is an attorney from Teguc., he was aloof and a little arrogant. He arrived at 11:30, he walked in during the ceremony. During his speech, he apologized for being late but had an important meeting in Teguc this morning. As anyone who has attended a graduation ceremony knows, there is dead time between segments as the event progresses. During one of these periods, this “important” attorney asked those sitting next to him (community President and other Patrino) why Fernando and I were at the head table. Obviously, he doesn’t come around here very often.The ceremony (once it started) was well organized. Most smaller, older schools have a back patio about 8 feet deep that is covered by the extended roof of the school. The school that Steve sponsors is a really good example of this type of structure. The graduates and their
parents waited on the patio till they were introduced then parents and child walked through the center of the room to the applause of the audience. The parents left their respective child/graduate at their seat and took a reserved seat at the side. Speeches by all. Graduates
and their parents were served lunch at special tables set up in the back; a nice final touch.
An aside: When my turn to speak came, I explained that my Spanish is not good so Fernando will help me. Fernando explained that he would translate my Spanish into Spanish. Several pointed out one young lady (possibly 25) who can speak English. She sheepishly came forward and did a tremendous job (her husband is a teacher in Teguc and she is a law student; her parents live in the community and her husband and she visits frequently). Now to my story: As you know, there is no electricity this far out and the trip into Nacaome is arduous for those
without a car (which is almost everyone). Even in these conditions, most kids have visited places with power/TV’s enough times by 6th grade that they are familial with a person speaking English. Apparently this one 6th grade graduate in the front row hasn’t been in town very
often. She could not contain herself, nudging each girl at her side and (quietly) laughing while the other two girls tried to remain quiet and sophisticated and knew to listen to the translator. That little girl has no idea what I said but she will always remember that tall gringo who spoke at her graduation ceremony in a really funny language.
2:30PM Dropped Fernando and Dr. Cerrato off and went down town to find a gift for Fernantito’s 3rd birthday party.
3:30PA At Fernando’s house for the birthday party. Fernantito (usually) met the guest and (usually) accepted the gift and (usually) carried the gift to the designated gift place. Birthday cake, piñata, and kids all over the place. A good time was had by all.
6:00PM In the compound. End of day.