First School Day

Santa Lucia, Intebuca
June 18, 2010
3:00 PM

Hola!
Wooh what a day. This is Molly Brazil, today was our first day at the schools and boy was it busy! My group went to a local elementary school called San Fransisco, where the ages of the children ranged from kindergarden to sixth grade. The group was me, Jenny Sims, Seth Highly, Candice Olsson, Tyler McDaniel, Mr. Douglas and two translating students from La Ceiba- Edgardo Irias, and Mercy Trochez. We arrived this morning around 7:45 to a quiet, curious group of students who seemed to be very shy. We observed all of the different grades and classes and took mental notes of what the classrooms needed, (pencil sharpeners, desks, and screens for the windows), are just a few of the many things. As funny as it sounds, many of us found that sitting in on the first grade class actually helped us improve on our Spanish! After about 2 hours of observing the lunch bell rang and everyone scampered outside and ate. After we took 2 or 3 pictures we quickly caught on to the fact that the children LOVED posing and then seeing themselves afterwards. We all have some great photos to share when we get home. The kids finally started to warm up to us as Jenny, Candice and I began chasing them around the different buildings (don't worry, moms, we sanatized our hands afterwards) haha. Seth and Tyler played soccer with the boys (big hit). Our Spanish improved slowly but surely today as we spoke bits and peices to the kids. It amazed us all to see that a game as simple as tag could make those kids as happy as they were. As we drove off (in the back of a pick up truck) the kids crowded out into the streets waving good-bye and yelling "Hasta Lunes!" (see you Monday), it was great seeing their excitement and hopeful spirits for the next school day. Right now (3:15) we are all just hanging out in the clinic, playing cards and watching the world cup! Today was rewarding and inspired us to really make the lives of these kids the best they can be. Talk to you soon!
-Molly Brazil