Feb 27

Written by: reh
2/27/2008

February 27, 2008 (Wednesday)

“Patience is a bitter tree that bears sweet fruit.”

You thought that, since we are successfully registered in Honduras, we could simply walk a bank in and open a checking accouter, didn’t you? Wrong!

8:30AM Fernando, Jessica, and I walk into the bank and explain that we want to open a checking account in the (registered) name of L4L with Fernando and me as authorized signatures to the account. The bank manager asked who is listed in the registration and Fernando said “Roxana”. The manager said Roxana must write a letter authorizing Fernando. I said (possibly in a direct way), “that’s not correct, the Registration documents speak for the Corporation, not for one individual. Suppose Roxana gets run over by a train, then what? (all thought the train metaphor was amusing, possibly because there are no more trains in Honduras)” The manager said “Normally, the Vice President would take over.” I said “I’m the President of L4L, not Roxana.” Bank manager, “Oh, well then, you can write the letter. But before we get that far I need your DEI number.” It seems that every registered foreign entity must get an EID number from the Direccion Ejecutiva de Ingresos (Honduran Port Authority) in Choluteca (for the Southern District).
9:30 At the DEI office in Choluteca. Huge (most of one block) one-story white adobe/stucco building with large painless windows. Walk into a large bay with a counter dividing public from 8 or 10 bureaucrats. The bay has off-white walls, tile floor and lots of ceiling fans (out of. a ‘50’s era movie). Fernando immediately starts glad-handing; genuinely enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with old seldom-seen friends. Jessica even talked with a few she knew from high school. A young lady with some authority started asking for documents (which we submitted in the registration process). Jessica pointed to a list of 7 items (forms) required to obtain this DEI number. Finally, I told Jessica to pay attention and to do a literal translate what I say. I said to this young lady who seems to have some authority “we have compiled lists for three years, including every item on this list. We are legally registered in Honduras so I hope you can appreciate my frustration in being told that we must compile yet another list of forms.” The girl, who had been caught up in friendly banter with Fernando and half the staff, was genuinely taken aback at my level of concern. She said (in Spanish) “Patience, the problem is that the manager is not in today but we will do what we can so that you will leave with your DEI number.” I realized that my overbearing demeanor was hampering Fernando’s efforts so backed up to a place along the wall where I was out of everyone’s way and simply observed. Main observation: Everybody that came in the room and that was working behind the counter enjoyed the fellowship of everyone else (except that tall gringo standing off to the side that clearly had a sociability problem). We were constantly asked for obscure information that was entered into one of three computers and two paper forms. After about an hour, we were asked to come around to one of clerk’s station to provide some info. We walked into the center court yard of the building, along a walkway through full grown trees within the courtyard. Department personnel offices opened along three sides of the courtyard and the bay where the public enters takes up the fourth side of the courtyard. We entered a door at the back of the same common bay we had been in. The clerks wanted to know the names of the corporate officers in Honduras. It is really a good thing that I had decided to take the time to open the account while in country because nobody else understands our registration package well enough to get past this line item concerning corporate officers (one of pages of line items on one of the required 7 forms). I explained that we are incorporated in the US and have corporate officers in the US. Our Honduras Registration requires that L4L have one Responsible Party that is a citizen and resident of Honduras and that person is Fernando. The girls were looking at a screen, with more than a little confusion, that required corporate officers. They said “thank you” and we went back to the general public side of the bench. An hour later the woman I first talked to, with two of the girls who had been working on the forms for 2 hours, brought our DEI number on a copy of the final registration card. Since the manager is out for the day, we can come back for the signed card but this DEI number will permit us to open a checking account.
I gave my enthusiastic thanks and warmest apologies for letting my frustrations show. Each girl was very gracious and clearly satisfied with their accomplishment (an accomplishment that was achieved because of Fernando’s presence; not mine). While shaking the hand of the third and youngest girl she said in a quiet voice “Patience is a bitter tree that bears sweet fruit.”
11:30AM Back at the bank. The standard check account opening forms plus several others (I believe, because the clerks really don’t know exactly what is needed). At the end, there is one more form that will be ready for my signature tomorrow, but we can open the account. The L4L account number is 6408671 and the official name is Lunches for Learning (Marienda para Aprendes).
1:15PM Driving toward the kitchen dedication ceremony. I was thinking, as we drove along, after finally becoming registered in Honduras, we have completed all of the qualifications for our DEI permit (almost) and we have met all of the requirements of the bank (almost). Somehow, I’m not quite so concerned about the loose ends as I was at 8:00 this morning.
2:00PM Kitchen Grand Opening. Dignitaries present:
Alcalde (Mayor/Governor) of Goascoran District Antonio Valosquez Canales
Con-Solud Director, Dr. Gilberto Castillo Martinez
Con Solud Lawyer Jose Gilberto Salgado Arana
General Manager L4L Fernando Ortez
Project Manager L4L Roxana Martinez
A table was arranged for the dignitaries in front of one of the three classrooms. Students sat in the front rows and parents in back rows (other parents preparing meal). Could not get an accurate count of parents but there must have been 25+/-. Principal opened with prayer and the long version of the National Anthem then a kind welcome and appreciation for the kitchen.
Side note: I have explained, in the past, that, while in the US a parent/student only knows that the Government pays for school lunches and, somehow the school administration gets the food on the cafeteria serving line, in rural Honduras every parent and every child knows exactly where the lunch comes from. Also, in rural Honduras, there is a common perception that every action is the result of a person, not an entity. More of a feudal mind set, where someone causes good or harm (Pr. Randy can explain the basic difference in mindset than I can). Two years ago, when this school was added to the program, the Principal (after thanking me profusely) asked why her school was chosen. I explained that a businessman from Birmingham had contributed enough money for us to open up 2 (actually, 2.5) schools. Next question: who is that businessman. Answer, Mr. Bill Jones.
Back to the kitchen dedication. During the welcoming/thank-you speech the Principal mentioned Mr. Jones of L4L specifically along with the Alcalde (Governor), Mr. Valesquez. The community knows that, while “the district” and “L4L” may have done the work, the project was made possible by Mr. Jones, a Birmingham business man and Mr. Valesquez, the Governor of Goascoran.
Each dignitary made a statement about the success of this kitchen construction project and the anticipated benefit for the children of the community.
The dignitaries were lined up for pictures and children with a banner marched in front of us (I did not see what the banner said till I saw the photographs.
Outside, the Governor and I cut a ribbon in front of the kitchen door (ribbon was blue and white-the colors of the Governor’s political party). We were all treated to a lunch prepared in the new kitchen. Pictures to follow.
4:00PM Drove to a gas station/dining area to meet with the Doctor of Con-Solud. After general re-acquaintances I asked that we discuss the logistics of the parasite project. The Dr. said they would continue to supply the pills every 6 months, as planned. I said “we have not started the program yet.” Dr. was dumfounded, “why?” I was mortified. Roxana had told me she was waiting for the rest of the pills. I sent several emails and discussed on the phone with Roxana that the Dr. would have to distribute the pills as these are prescription pills and we are not qualified to distribute. Roxana would coordinate the Parasite Project with the Dr.
Here we are almost a year later and she hadn’t even told Con-Solud that the pills were not distributed. Roxana has had only two assigned projects since Fernando took over daily operations: the parasite pill project and compiling data concerning groups of children as they progress through the system. She has done neither.
It would serve no useful purpose to cast dispersions on Roxana at this point. Salvaging the Parasite Program would be difficult enough without displaying internal strife. I said that we have been advised that the L4L staff is not qualified to distribute prescription medicine. Our staff would have no idea what to do in the case of a reaction. L4L would like to coordinate the distribution with a representative of Con-Solud. Dr. Gilberto Castillo Martinez said that could be done but it would probably have to be Saturday as all of Con-Solud personnel are also volunteers. Fernando said that could be arranged. Dr. Gilberto Castillo said he would like to start with the school most far away so he is close to El Salvador by the end of the day. Fernando explained that our schools are spread over a distance where two days will be required. Dr. Gilberto Castillo said he likes to go into the community with a piñata so the kids see the parasite pill as part of a party. Fernando said he would set that up (later in the day, Fernando asked if L4L would supply lunch and/or gas money for Con-Solud personnel on when they are distributing the pills. I told Fernando that we want to demonstrate our appreciation and he should provide reasonable assistance; lunch and gas money certainly falls within “reasonable assistance”.)
5:30PM In the motel compound. Jessica’s husband drove down from Teguci. to pick her up; she is having an impacted wisdom tooth extracted tomorrow but wanted to stay through the meeting with Dr. Gilberto Castillo.
End of day.

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