Pick-up after school.
Morning classes (elementary) are done!
Jonathon Gonzalez and Caleb´s class!
A wet bandana around the neck keeps everyone cooler....
Braelyn looking very cool, despite the tremendous heat.
Artist at work.
The Nica version of ¨London Bridges."
Carolyn y Rafaela, La Directora.This is Emma writing. Tuesday was hot. Our first really hot day down here, but to the Nicaraguans it was refreshing because they had been cold in the last few days of sub-85 degree weather. While relaxing in the shade after lunch we were joined by Lilian Hall, the mother of GS student Trever Hall, who has been living here off and on for 25 years now. She regaled us all with her inspirational story and today she and Pauline are visiting the city dump (La Chureca) to assist the community living there.
After lunch we trecked back around the corner to the Nicaraguita school where we sat in on more classes. I´ve joined the 9th grade class in the afternoons, and the classroom attitude constantly amazes me. When the teacher enters the room all the students stand up in respect, but as soon as the class begins most of the students pull out their cell phones and start talking to each other. This is when it gets a little awkward for the GS students. Torpe (awkward) is a word that we all know well by this point because it describes accurately many of the cultural or linguistic clashes. But awkward is not bad, it is embraced. We embraced it yesterday afternoon when we joined the 8th grade for a party with musical chairs, and (as always) Nia´s Salsa dancing. We embrace it when we go home in the evening and try to find the right words to describe our day.
Yesterday evening I did not go home right away, but instead went to a friend´s house to watch some Nica students practice a dance for today´s celebration. This March 10th is the 20th anversary of the school we are working at. This afternoon will be a huge celebration for the entire Barrio (neighborhood).
This morning in my 2nd grade class we practiced the school song for the celebration (I think I know it now). The kids in my class are all about 7 years old and not a single one is shy. Every time I walk into the classroom they jump up and come hug me. In the middle of class they walk up to me and dance or sing or ask me how to say things in English. At first it was extremely difficult to understand them, but after three days I can follow most of what they are saying. My favorite class is Mathematicas because I understand everything that is happening. If there is one thing I can do in Spanish is count, so when Math class comes around every kid wants we to come sit next to their turquoise desk and count with them.
Now we are taking a quick break from the heat as we are about to walk over to the ´Nacatamale´ store which is owned by my host family to buy ice cream. We are all ecstatic. And afterward, we go to set up the stage for the celebration!
This morning in my 2nd grade class we practiced the school song for the celebration (I think I know it now). The kids in my class are all about 7 years old and not a single one is shy. Every time I walk into the classroom they jump up and come hug me. In the middle of class they walk up to me and dance or sing or ask me how to say things in English. At first it was extremely difficult to understand them, but after three days I can follow most of what they are saying. My favorite class is Mathematicas because I understand everything that is happening. If there is one thing I can do in Spanish is count, so when Math class comes around every kid wants we to come sit next to their turquoise desk and count with them.
Now we are taking a quick break from the heat as we are about to walk over to the ´Nacatamale´ store which is owned by my host family to buy ice cream. We are all ecstatic. And afterward, we go to set up the stage for the celebration!
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