At the first school we learned that a family had been lying, saying their son was going to school. He wasn't. He dropped out three weeks ago. They finish classes this week. What a bummer. The teacher made a big point to look at me and say in other countries the parents could be punished by law, but in Honduras that law is not enforced. She clearly wished it was enforced here.
We talked to the director of the school about how we can work as a team to keep this from happening in the future and how we can work together to support the children. I was impressed by that director. She was very strict and on top of things. She asked for a list of every kid who will be on scholarships next year so that she can help ensure they maintain good grades to keep the scholarships.
Teacher after teacher talked about the fact that the kids are dropping out of school for of lack of financial resources. Either parents are sending the kids off to work and bring money into the house, or they don't have the money to send the kids to school. Even public schools here cost money which many families simply don't have. They are often told they have to pay for special materials and if they don't bring the materials they are not allowed to come to school that day. It's insane, but all of the schools do it.
In the second school no parents or other adults are allowed to enter. My coworker knew someone who snuck us in. The rule of "no adults" was implemented after a parent started a physical fight with a teacher during school hours inside the school. Now the teachers have to work on Saturdays in order to meet with parents. I believe it may also have to do with gangs. They were hanging out on the street outside that school.
In the third school the director was strange. She kept looking at me and addressing me. The strange part is that my coworker was conducting the meeting, so I had absolutely nothing to say. I avoided eye contact with her and focused on him, thinking she would get the point and look at him too, but she didn't. At the end he shook her hand and said goodbye. She took my hand to shake it and wouldn't let go! What a shame. She clearly thought that I held more power than my coworker, when in fact that is far from true. Just because he is Honduran and I am not, she treated the two of us totally differently - racism against her own people.
In the fourth school the teachers were great. They talked about a student who has changed considerably. He went from never taking notes in class and never turning in homework, to arriving on time each day with his homework prepared and ready to pay attention. We figured out that the change happened after he and his mother began Familia Fuerte! He is also in counseling with a psychologist from Impacto Juvenil. The teacher said he is "100% different" than he was before. I love news like that! The program is working!
Unfortunately we were also there to see a boy in her class who is not doing well at all. She asked if he could get therapy too. He has been offered therapy but never shows up for appointments.
We had lunch at my coworker's house. I asked ahead if I should bring lunch but he said no. His mom gave me the last of their meat and gave him the last of their beans. She filled our plates with spaghetti and rice and offered us a big plate of tortillas. I felt horrible eating the last of their food. I wasn't even hungry, but it is rude not to eat when offered food. (Even/ESPECIALLY when it's all they have.) I gave my meat to my coworker saying I couldn't possibly finish the whole plate. I had two apples in the car which I left for his niece and nephew who also live there.
Since we were on the streets all day, I didn't carry my phone. When I got to the club I noticed I had a missed call from Ana. She never calls me, so I called her back quickly and apologized for missing her call. She said she had a huge favor to ask. I couldn't imagine what it would be. She never asks me for favors.
Yesterday her blender died. In Honduras we use blenders for everything. I make refried beans, a basic staple, at least once/week with mine. She said she was "liquefying" chicken when hers died. She has a small job making snacks for all of the Impacto Juvenil meetings in Los Pinos, which means she is cooking for an extra 100+ people each week.
A month ago my blender died. For over a week I tried to get it to work, but the blades wouldn't spin. After I bought a new blender I tried the old one before throwing it away. It suddenly came back to life! Since you can't return things here, I ended up with an extra blender.
I immediately thought of Ana. Jired came over to help paint my house. He said his mom had a blender. I figured someone would need a blender at some point. Turned out Ana did need a blender. I was just two weeks early.
The kids continue to enjoy the library. For the first time a book came back looking like someone had rolled it up. We talked again about taking good care of the books. We played games and did puzzles that showed them all of the reproductive systems. We had a scavenger hunt where the kids had to find little pieces of paper that made up a list changes boy and girls go through in adolescence.
We read a story about a young girl who lived in a poor community. She had the opportunity to make money for her family. All she had to do was make a video tape. The story didn't go into any detail, but said she was abused. It talked about how her whole life changed. The kids sat in silence, listening attentively. Afterward they said they know that this could happen to any one of them if they are not careful.
We had a good game of soccer and then the rain came. First it was a drizzle. Then it poured really hard. The side streets were like waterfalls, coming off the mountain and feeding the main road that was now a rushing river. At some points the water was deep. The most dangerous thing about driving in heavy storms is the debris that comes down off the mountains. Big rocks can be carried down and hide under the deep water. Manhole covers also come off and leave a huge hole in the road. But I made it home safe!
I also saw the boy who was beaten in the head with the gun. I wrote about him recently. His head is covered in gauze, but he seemed okay.
Playing "Peel the Onion". (My coworker and I had to peel the kids apart.)
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