In the moment, today was a fun day. But as I sit here trying to put all of it together, I feel discouraged.
I visited a public school where the kids in our club attend. We were there to find out how much money the sixth graders need for graduation.
Turns out none of them are graduating. The program director told us that due to a long list of unfortunate circumstances, the sixth graders cannot read. She recently discovered this and is not allowing any of them to advance to seventh grade. She is right. If she allows them to go on to seventh grade they will be so far behind they will feel like failures and will probably drop out. She wants to give them every possible chance at a successful life.
Parents are mad and the teachers are too. Teachers expect the director to be like most other public school directors and push the kids through just because it looks better for their statistics, no matter whether or not the kids learn anything.
She talked about a 15 year old boy in 6th grade. His mother was addicted to drugs when he was born. Before long, he was on the streets using drugs too. About a year ago he stopped using drugs and has become serious about school, but now his brain is so fried he is unable to learn anything. He writes line after line of strange scribbles, sitting and pondering over them as though they make sense to him.
The director is desperate for a psychologist to do an exam and state that he has special needs. She has called the special schools and tried to get help, but everyone says they are too busy or too full. Once he turns 16 he will no longer qualify for help from her school. He would have to go to night school which is not safe and would not provide the help he needs.
The teachers have given up on the boy because he earned a reputation as a thief while he was involved in drugs. He was a thief but he's not any more. Still, nobody wants him around.
One of the girls in the club has only been attending school once or twice/week. Her mother and three adult siblings are in my literacy class. I was so disappointed in the adults! All of them tell me that education is important, yet the mother said none of her younger kids are going to school because they prefer to stay home and watch tv. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????
First she said she doesn't have the money to send the kids to school because they always need stuff for projects. That really could be true sometimes and it is a real problem, but not three or four days per week.
Then she said it's her son's fault because ever since he bought a tv, they are glued to the screen. Both my coworker and I stopped her fast. I told her it is not her son's fault if she allows her children to watch tv while they should be in school. I told her she has two jobs. Send the kids to school and make sure they do their homework afterward.
My coworker has been through this with the older siblings who are now learning to read in literacy class. She said normally they blame the elementary teacher. I didn't let them blame anyone. We prayed for strength for this mother to take control of her home. We'll see how things go in the future. It was good that I was there alongside my coworker because my coworker said this is the most receptive the mother has ever been in the twelve years she has worked with the family.
I am so tired of hearing parents say, "Es que ella no quiere..." (It's that she doesn't want to...) I constantly see two and four and eight year old kids dictate what they will and will not do. Maybe I'm old fashioned. My parents didn't care whether or not I wanted to eat healthy food, or go to school, or go to bed! If I said "No" when my mother told me to do something, there was a serious consequence. But I hear kids tell their parents "No" every single day. I don't think this is specific to Honduras. I think it's a new parenting trend. I don't get it. It feels very discouraging to me because the result I see is kids living on cookies and Coca Cola who only go to school once a week. Nobody says please or thankful. There is a general sense of entitlement. I am worried about the kids and frustrated with what I can only explain as lazy parenting.
Rant over. The good part today was being out in the community. It was so nice! I did two live feeds on Facebook. I had a great time with the class. It was a perfect day to walk around in the mountains.
Over the past week it's gradually stopped raining at night. This was my favorite season - hot days with thunderstorms from 5 pm until midnight. For the first time since I moved here, it started and ended when it should. Now the cold season should start.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
First Article
Today I wrote my first article for the Association for a More Just Society newsletter. I think it gets published on the first of the month. If you don't get it, you should! (It's just an email.) They are asking me to contribute on behalf of Impacto Juvenil, the program I work for, so people can hear more about what we are doing.
Between editing photos for church, the dance class, and Impacto Juvenil, writing my blog, my personal newsletter, our "informe" which I have to write in Spanish each month so the ASJ supporters know about the progress we have made thanks to their donations, and keeping my church's Facebook page looking spiffy I spend tons of hours on my computer. It's my least favorite part of the day, but it's necessary.
I just got an email that they are going to use different photos. Ugh. I spent two hours choosing what I thought were the best photos that I took since the class started. I sent six so they would have a selection to choose from. But not one of those were chosen. They are using my photos, but ones that have no association with the article. Oh well.
Friday when I got out of the retreat my tires were all soft and one was flat. I had to drive around (in heavy traffic with one tire losing air) and find a place to repair it. Now that I don't have a trustworthy mechanic, there is a lot more weight on my shoulders about the car. It's making a noise when I stop at stoplights. Fany said her husband's car makes the same noise when it's out of oil. My car is not out of oil. I am concerned that by the time I have enough money to buy a new car, this car will no longer be worth anything.
I already told my family I will not be going home for Christmas this year. I get three weeks of vacation, but I don't have the money to fly to the US until after I get this car situation taken care of. Yesterday I broke down and paid the registration for another year. I was hoping to sell the car before the registration was due, so the new owner would have to pay it. But now the deadline is in three days and I'm still lacking $2000.
The street vendors are asking Fany where I am. I haven't bought any fruit or veggies lately. They all assume I moved back to the United States because when most North Americans disappear, that's what happened. You know I'm trying to save money when 50 cents for an avocado is out of my budget.
I did spend $1 on a sponge as a shoulder rest for my violin yesterday. The shoulder rest I am drooling over costs $50 on Amazon. Maybe one day... In the meantime a sponge will work just fine.
I splurged to take Ana and her family to the movies twice. (My Mother paid for us to go once too, with popcorn and everything that time!) $12-18 is cheap for six people to see a movie. They love it and the sun is so hot during the day, the free park is out of the question right now. There's no shade there or at my house. This week and next week I have to work, so I'm not sure when I'll get to see my favorite family again. But we always stay in touch.
At work we are preparing for another campaign. This one is anti-bullying. It is aimed at a particular group of kids, although we'll do it for the whole school. Some kids in 7th grade are being bullied horribly. My boss said we should not tread lightly. She said she really wants us to "hit them hard" with the anti-bullying information.
Between editing photos for church, the dance class, and Impacto Juvenil, writing my blog, my personal newsletter, our "informe" which I have to write in Spanish each month so the ASJ supporters know about the progress we have made thanks to their donations, and keeping my church's Facebook page looking spiffy I spend tons of hours on my computer. It's my least favorite part of the day, but it's necessary.
I just got an email that they are going to use different photos. Ugh. I spent two hours choosing what I thought were the best photos that I took since the class started. I sent six so they would have a selection to choose from. But not one of those were chosen. They are using my photos, but ones that have no association with the article. Oh well.
Friday when I got out of the retreat my tires were all soft and one was flat. I had to drive around (in heavy traffic with one tire losing air) and find a place to repair it. Now that I don't have a trustworthy mechanic, there is a lot more weight on my shoulders about the car. It's making a noise when I stop at stoplights. Fany said her husband's car makes the same noise when it's out of oil. My car is not out of oil. I am concerned that by the time I have enough money to buy a new car, this car will no longer be worth anything.
I already told my family I will not be going home for Christmas this year. I get three weeks of vacation, but I don't have the money to fly to the US until after I get this car situation taken care of. Yesterday I broke down and paid the registration for another year. I was hoping to sell the car before the registration was due, so the new owner would have to pay it. But now the deadline is in three days and I'm still lacking $2000.
The street vendors are asking Fany where I am. I haven't bought any fruit or veggies lately. They all assume I moved back to the United States because when most North Americans disappear, that's what happened. You know I'm trying to save money when 50 cents for an avocado is out of my budget.
I did spend $1 on a sponge as a shoulder rest for my violin yesterday. The shoulder rest I am drooling over costs $50 on Amazon. Maybe one day... In the meantime a sponge will work just fine.
I splurged to take Ana and her family to the movies twice. (My Mother paid for us to go once too, with popcorn and everything that time!) $12-18 is cheap for six people to see a movie. They love it and the sun is so hot during the day, the free park is out of the question right now. There's no shade there or at my house. This week and next week I have to work, so I'm not sure when I'll get to see my favorite family again. But we always stay in touch.
At work we are preparing for another campaign. This one is anti-bullying. It is aimed at a particular group of kids, although we'll do it for the whole school. Some kids in 7th grade are being bullied horribly. My boss said we should not tread lightly. She said she really wants us to "hit them hard" with the anti-bullying information.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Retreat
As usual, I have written a bunch of posts for you in my mind, but simply haven't had a moment to sit down and write. It's been a super busy week and every bit of it was good.
The retreat was FABULOUS AMAZING FUN RELAXING EDUCATIONAL and GREAT! It couldn't have been better. We had several speakers, spent one afternoon in physical competitions and had a talent show. My boss was in the same group as me for the games. Our team won. Then we also won the talent show with our team from Impacto Juvenil! I've never won so many things in my life.
I loved bonding with my team and getting to know the rest of the people who serve in the different programs within our organization. I see them every Monday in our devotional and then we all go our separate ways.
It was strange that some of them have body guards 24 hours/day. I saw the inside of an armored car for the first time. I would hate having guards hanging around me all day. It would drive me insane. Even as we played games, the guards were always there.
On the last day a Pastor spoke about what it is to be a "Cristiano Valiente" (brave Christian). To me, most of my coworkers are exactly this. They are giving up so much to fight for the rights of others. I admire and respect them immensely. It was an honor to be invited to the retreat with them. I got some great photos of them, but I can't share those photos because if my coworkers and I are seen with some of our other coworkers, our lives could be in danger. Sad and scary.
As we left my boss thanked me for coming and for having such a good time. I was happy she could see how much I enjoyed myself. I got home two days ago and I am still full of smiles as I think back over our work retreat.
The location was gorgeous.
Saturday morning I had a special meeting with the young man who is running a dance ministry within our church. He and his family just joined our church. Pastora Ruth decided to allow him to start a dance/praise class but she is unable to supervise it. I started going just to play my violin for them, but I felt my role changing and talked to Pastora Ruth about it. She was thinking the same exact thing I was, although we had never talked about it.
I still play the violin, but now I am also supervising the class on behalf of the church and the young man as he learns how to teach and serve others. This position comes with challenges, but as long as I keep communication open I believe it will be okay.
A few weeks ago Pastor Paysen prayed over me and asked God to help me step into my leadership role in the church. And now, here I am! That night God told me to say yes to more opportunities that are offered to me. I'm doing that - saying yes to new things. Contrary to my natural instincts I'm playing the violin in public, supervising the dance class, and this week I will write my first article for the newsletter to English speaking donors at my work. It is really fulfilling and it honors God when I live up to my full potential.
Today Pastora Ruth's Mom came to church for the first time in months. She has been really sick. Just last week I said that I was sad to see her empty seat every week. This week, there she was! They had to carry her, but she sat through the whole service and seemed to be alert and attentive the whole time.
I even got her to smile for a photo:
The retreat was FABULOUS AMAZING FUN RELAXING EDUCATIONAL and GREAT! It couldn't have been better. We had several speakers, spent one afternoon in physical competitions and had a talent show. My boss was in the same group as me for the games. Our team won. Then we also won the talent show with our team from Impacto Juvenil! I've never won so many things in my life.
I loved bonding with my team and getting to know the rest of the people who serve in the different programs within our organization. I see them every Monday in our devotional and then we all go our separate ways.
It was strange that some of them have body guards 24 hours/day. I saw the inside of an armored car for the first time. I would hate having guards hanging around me all day. It would drive me insane. Even as we played games, the guards were always there.
On the last day a Pastor spoke about what it is to be a "Cristiano Valiente" (brave Christian). To me, most of my coworkers are exactly this. They are giving up so much to fight for the rights of others. I admire and respect them immensely. It was an honor to be invited to the retreat with them. I got some great photos of them, but I can't share those photos because if my coworkers and I are seen with some of our other coworkers, our lives could be in danger. Sad and scary.
As we left my boss thanked me for coming and for having such a good time. I was happy she could see how much I enjoyed myself. I got home two days ago and I am still full of smiles as I think back over our work retreat.
The location was gorgeous.
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| My sports team for the afternoon. My boss is the blonde lady. She came to Honduras 20+ years ago as a missionary from Sweden. |
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| Teamwork |
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| My coworker dressed up as my boss for our performance in the talent show. It was hilarious. |
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| This group called themselves Studio 54 |
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| My friend and my boss lead the music |
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| I loved that the picture in the background is titled "courage" because these two people keep us safe every day. |
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| The paid employees of Impacto Juvenil, plus me! There was not enough money for the other volunteers or interns to attend. |
Saturday morning I had a special meeting with the young man who is running a dance ministry within our church. He and his family just joined our church. Pastora Ruth decided to allow him to start a dance/praise class but she is unable to supervise it. I started going just to play my violin for them, but I felt my role changing and talked to Pastora Ruth about it. She was thinking the same exact thing I was, although we had never talked about it.
I still play the violin, but now I am also supervising the class on behalf of the church and the young man as he learns how to teach and serve others. This position comes with challenges, but as long as I keep communication open I believe it will be okay.
A few weeks ago Pastor Paysen prayed over me and asked God to help me step into my leadership role in the church. And now, here I am! That night God told me to say yes to more opportunities that are offered to me. I'm doing that - saying yes to new things. Contrary to my natural instincts I'm playing the violin in public, supervising the dance class, and this week I will write my first article for the newsletter to English speaking donors at my work. It is really fulfilling and it honors God when I live up to my full potential.
Today Pastora Ruth's Mom came to church for the first time in months. She has been really sick. Just last week I said that I was sad to see her empty seat every week. This week, there she was! They had to carry her, but she sat through the whole service and seemed to be alert and attentive the whole time.
I even got her to smile for a photo:
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Free Invitation
I'm super excited!
Monday we had an all day training at the university by a college professor about gender equality. It was very interesting and educational. I enjoyed it a lot.
Afterward I left in the same car with my boss. She asked if I am going to the retreat on Thursday and Friday. I told her it's really not in my budget right now. Everyone on the payroll for our whole organization was invited for free. Volunteers and interns are welcome, but have to cover their own costs.
I am saving every penny for a new car, so I thought it best to stay home. But the more I considered the idea, the more I realized I should go. As an outsider (one of the only North Americans) it is important that I do things like this to assimilate myself with everyone else. I already have the fact that I am a foreigner which sets me apart, so the more I can bond with my coworkers and give them a chance to get to know me, the better.
People within Impacto Juvenil know me, but I have been seeing the others from the association at our Monday morning devotional for over a year and I still don't know most of their names. Even the drivers are not sure how I fit in. The other people with Impacto serve in only one community and I serve in several places so that is odd to them.
Just now my boss sent me a message saying that I can go to the retreat for only the cost of the tee shirt! We are leaving early (6:30 a.m.) Thursday morning and coming back Friday night. We were told to wear exercise clothes as we will be hanging out and playing games. It will be interesting to see how many of the 150 people actually go. I am super excited to be included. My boss knows I am saving for a newer car. It feels really nice that she went out of her way to help me be able to go.
Today I went to see a Honduran movie with Ana and her family. Every Tuesday movies are half price, and it so happens that Ana has Tuesdays off, so we get together on Tuesdays. Jired, her son, had the opportunity to go play soccer today, but he chose to come with us instead. I think that is super cool. Most 17 year old kids would rather hang out with their friends than their family, but Jired is different. He always puts his family first.
To be honest, I really didn't like the movie. It just wasn't my type of humor. But they all did and I understand why. The actors are people they know from tv or politics and it's all filmed in places within the city. Overall it had a good message, although it was a little foolish in the delivery. What I enjoyed most was watching all of them have so much fun.
We have cut popcorn and soda out of the budget. There was not one complaint, so Ana must have explained it to them clearly. We did each get a 50 cent ice cream cone on the way home. Turns out Isa doesn't like ice cream, so she only ate the cone. And Ana said she can figure out a way to use all of the manna packets I had, so I'm no longer carrying those around in my car.
I just remembered Erika called while I was in the movie! I forgot to call her back. I'll have to do that tomorrow. I'm so glad she is back in the habit of calling again. And she even remembers that Tuesday is my free day. That makes me smile. I bet baby Gabriela is getting big! Marjory is old enough to chat right along on the phone now, although I only understand parts of what she says. I look forward to seeing them all one day soon.
Still playing my violin. I've gotten into more challenging stuff and it's not quite as fun as it was, but I know if I work at it I will see the payoff in my playing on Saturday mornings at the dance ministry. I'm glad I have that commitment to push me through the tougher stuff.
Monday we had an all day training at the university by a college professor about gender equality. It was very interesting and educational. I enjoyed it a lot.
Afterward I left in the same car with my boss. She asked if I am going to the retreat on Thursday and Friday. I told her it's really not in my budget right now. Everyone on the payroll for our whole organization was invited for free. Volunteers and interns are welcome, but have to cover their own costs.
I am saving every penny for a new car, so I thought it best to stay home. But the more I considered the idea, the more I realized I should go. As an outsider (one of the only North Americans) it is important that I do things like this to assimilate myself with everyone else. I already have the fact that I am a foreigner which sets me apart, so the more I can bond with my coworkers and give them a chance to get to know me, the better.
People within Impacto Juvenil know me, but I have been seeing the others from the association at our Monday morning devotional for over a year and I still don't know most of their names. Even the drivers are not sure how I fit in. The other people with Impacto serve in only one community and I serve in several places so that is odd to them.
Just now my boss sent me a message saying that I can go to the retreat for only the cost of the tee shirt! We are leaving early (6:30 a.m.) Thursday morning and coming back Friday night. We were told to wear exercise clothes as we will be hanging out and playing games. It will be interesting to see how many of the 150 people actually go. I am super excited to be included. My boss knows I am saving for a newer car. It feels really nice that she went out of her way to help me be able to go.
Today I went to see a Honduran movie with Ana and her family. Every Tuesday movies are half price, and it so happens that Ana has Tuesdays off, so we get together on Tuesdays. Jired, her son, had the opportunity to go play soccer today, but he chose to come with us instead. I think that is super cool. Most 17 year old kids would rather hang out with their friends than their family, but Jired is different. He always puts his family first.
To be honest, I really didn't like the movie. It just wasn't my type of humor. But they all did and I understand why. The actors are people they know from tv or politics and it's all filmed in places within the city. Overall it had a good message, although it was a little foolish in the delivery. What I enjoyed most was watching all of them have so much fun.
We have cut popcorn and soda out of the budget. There was not one complaint, so Ana must have explained it to them clearly. We did each get a 50 cent ice cream cone on the way home. Turns out Isa doesn't like ice cream, so she only ate the cone. And Ana said she can figure out a way to use all of the manna packets I had, so I'm no longer carrying those around in my car.
I just remembered Erika called while I was in the movie! I forgot to call her back. I'll have to do that tomorrow. I'm so glad she is back in the habit of calling again. And she even remembers that Tuesday is my free day. That makes me smile. I bet baby Gabriela is getting big! Marjory is old enough to chat right along on the phone now, although I only understand parts of what she says. I look forward to seeing them all one day soon.
Still playing my violin. I've gotten into more challenging stuff and it's not quite as fun as it was, but I know if I work at it I will see the payoff in my playing on Saturday mornings at the dance ministry. I'm glad I have that commitment to push me through the tougher stuff.
Day of the Child and Strong Families
I like this photo because it's rare to catch these two smiling. They have rough lives and a genuine smile is not common.
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| Our club. Unfortunately the photographer (me) can never be in the photos. (See how Michel is not smiling) |
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| We had a piñata and I caught Michel smiling again. |
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| These two are so cute!! They are excited about their candy stashes from the piñata |
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| I hope I was the only person who noticed the cake said "Happy Birthday" |
The mother has gone to the school but the teacher was not responsive. Next week my coworker and I are going back with the mother, a psychologist, and a lawyer to talk to the teacher.
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| A mom and her son and a psychologist |
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| My coworker and I love this sweet boy. He is quiet and shy. We learned today from his mother that he is being bullied at school |
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| This mom is just a little excited to receive her first diploma ever |
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| These are the kids from our club whose mothers participated in the program |
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| Congratulations Strong Families! |
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| She is using the techniques she learned to raise her grandchildren |
Dressed in their best clothes:
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This lady below lives in a tiny house. In total 17 people live there. Yet, when her brother and sister-in-law were both killed in a shooting outside of the city, she asked for her nephew (shown below) to be sent to live with her specifically so that he could be part of our program and receive the assistance we provide. We love having him in our club, as well as his two cousins who are also shown here with their mom. He is a sweet, sweet boy and he seems to be doing relatively well so far.
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| As a graduation gift each mother received a bag of basic supplies for her home |
On Sunday at church we celebrated the Day of the Child. There was a lot of celebrating this week!
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| This little girl has never been out of her mother's arms. She will do well with some more socialization |
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| The line for the swings was long. These kids rarely get an opportunity to swing. There are no swingsets in private homes or at school |
We had piñatas, pizza, horchata (cinnamon flavored rice milk), cake and of course, Coca Cola with the cake. Plus each child got a goodie bag as they left. It was a great success!
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| Four piñatas and lots of pizza |
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| In his haste to grab candy, Andy got a lot of grass too |
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| Waiting on pizza |
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