Trip Log (Letter written February 28, 2008)

reh@knology.net — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

February 28, 2008 (Thursday)

9:00AM Fernando and I went by Mr. Ochoa’s office. This is the first time I have seen him since we received our registration documents (if you recall, he was not invited to our meetings with Dr. Avila and Director Carlos Berganza when we actually received the signed documents). I wanted him to know that I understand all of the setup/behind-the-scenes work he did during the previous 2 months so that the final papers could be brought forward during our one hour-meeting last week. I also asked that Mr. Ochoa set up the paperwork to officially change the L4L Person of Record in Honduras to Fernando. Mr. Ochoa prepared these documents while Fernando and I completed some chores (among the chores is ordering an official L4L rubber stamp; it seems that every corporate check must be signed by an authorized person and stamped with an official corporate seal-don’t ask me, I just follow the rules).
Fernando arranged for a local woman named Olga Canales who had lived in the US for 7 years to translate. Her English is no better than my Spanish; ok for this type of low-intensity meeting but nothing more.
2:00PM At School Francisco Moralaz that serves La Pina I to discus completion of the second kitchen (if you recall, I halted our involvement in the second kitchen till the first was successfully completed). The Principal passed out a sign-up sheet. While I don’t have the sheet for confirmation, I am sure there were 20+ families represented by a parent. Olga “translated” for me (once again, her ability, augmented by my Spanish is marginally sufficient for the occasion. Coordination of the construction project was pretty easy; the parents want to resume construction tomorrow! Fernando said he will have supplies delivered during this week and the parents can resume construction Monday. General consensus is that the kitchen will be finished in 2 to 3 weeks if supplies are available when needed. The enthusiasm of the parents to work for free is always enervating. Fernando’s construction supervisor hit him up for a raise of 200Lps. per day to 300Lps. per day ($10/day to $15/day). Nobody is getting $15 per day under Fernando’s watch; the Supervisor agreed that $10/day is sufficient.
4:00PM At Roxana’s house to deliver cornmeal and pick up remainder of bulk vitamins from last year. Roxana asked to talk with me alone (with Olga translating). Roxana is resigning from the L4L program in preparation of going to Spain. We reminisced about all we accomplished over the past four years. I told her that she will be missed but I cannot stand in the way of her personal desires. I gave this private meeting plenty of time; a lot of the time, just sitting together. Actually, it was best that our translator was not real good because it prevented us from getting into details that did not need an airing at this time. Finally, I told Roxana that if she changes her mind, to contact me (I purposely did this so that, if she contacts Fernando, he can tell Roxana that she must contact me).
I did not want it to end this way, not right now. Roxana is the L4L persona. On the other hand, her negative actions have definitely started hampering L4L activities and relationships. In the past I have always talked her into staying and I believe she expected me to do the same this time. If she reconsiders (and I do not think she will), I will consider giving her one specific project (like a comparison of children’s performance before L4L vs. after L4L) and paying her a specific amount upon completion; I will not consider bringing her back as a full time employee.
On the ride back to the motel, Fernando said this has been a very busy and productive 2 weeks; some happy and some sad, but a lot was accomplished. I agree with his assessment and I hope we are both right.
6:30PM Fernando had invited two of the DEI clerks that helped us get our number, to dinner this evening. As always, Fernando correctly calls these plays; Partly as a result of this show of appreciation, anything Fernando (and by extension L4L) wants from the DEI, he will get. One could argue that L4L will not require their services in the future. I wouldn’t take that bet.
8:30PM End of day.

The Motorcycle Diary

Trip Log (Letter written February 28, 2008)