Feliz Aniversario!

Today marked the celebration of El Hogar's 36th Anniversary.  The campus was a buzz with activity starting from 5:20 this morning when music was blaring throughout the dormitory as everyone was getting ready.  (I brought an alarm clock with me, but I have not yet had to use it...)

Profe Karen helps the girls get ready for their folk dance.

A local priest lead a worship service, with Profe Heyser playing guitar.

The passing of the peace is a delightfully lengthy process.

The  children participate in communion.

Directora Claudia spoke about El Hogar and the wonderful work it does to transform children's lives. She recognized the work of the staff and teachers, who, after only a week of working with them, I can say are some of the most incredible people I have ever met.  Lazaro Juarez, director of the Technical Institute spoke as well.

Everyone was excited to have Eduardo Bennett visit.  He is a former Honduran National Soccer player and former student at El Hogar.

The folk dancers performed... (the chairs are empty because the children had abandoned them for a spot in the shade...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYxQ9O5NJuE&feature=youtu.be

And there was cake!  Baked by Profe Martha and her student bakers, it was enjoyed by all.

Profe. Alan refereed the Copa Aniversario, which went into a shoot out to determine the champion.

In the evening, a group of youth from a local church came to do some interactive presentations with song and dance for the kids.

And these photos are just for fun!

The weekend brought mucho ‘tiempo libre’, which included card games, soccer, Frisbee, soccer, colouring and more soccer.  After the rest of the volunteer team left on Saturday morning, the campus felt quiet – as quiet as it can be with 100+ children.  

While all the kids wandered about participating in a variety of activities, I may or may not have had a secret afternoon nap.  Shhh…  I shouldn't be tired - after all, weekend wake-up calls are a luxurious 7:30am!  When I say wake-up call, I am referring to the by-product of living in the same dormitory as 100 children, with tile floors where yelling children, teachers and music playing echoes off of every surface.  Love it!  (Seriously, I do, but it’s only day 6…)

On Sunday, a small group of us went to church.  Raul picked me up and we took 5 children with us.  The usual band wasn’t there, but Profesor Heyser, the grade 6 teacher from El Hogar played all the music on his guitar.  In the afternoon I found myself playing a game of pass until one of the kids launched the soccer ball over the fence.  We tried to get it back, but the neighbour couldn’t find it, so he tossed an old dilapidated ball (that was probably lost over the fence months ago) back over to us.  We had to confess to a teacher what happened, but he got us a new ball and then started up an official game.  The teacher made me one of the team captains, and I tried my hardest to stack my team full of good players (it wasn’t hard, they’re all good!), but we still managed to lose.  It was probably because all of the good players got stuck with me!

I am developing some new skills, from bathing out of a bucket when the water is off, to using corn tortillas as an edible knife.  Yesterday I did some laundry.  Sounds pretty mundane, but I had to watch the technique that the kids use in order to get through my first “load” because this is my “washing machine”…  Hopefully I get more efficient.

I have found myself involved in a variety of tasks and activities.  The girls needed their school uniforms re-fitted and labeled, so we crammed into the girls’ dorm and turned it into a giant fitting and sewing room.  The girls have me beat – they were all sewing buttons and hems themselves.  I also found myself in Profesor Moises’ music class.  A few students are learning the guitar and a few students are learning the recorder.  William and Jose David helped me learn Garsita Morena.  Maybe once we master it, I’ll post some proof.

All in all, I am extremely well taken care of here.  I have an amazing room in a shared apartment with one of the teachers, and I get 3 meals a day.  

I’m also spoiled with countless hugs, which is pretty much the best part of my day.

Bienvenidos!

After months of planning, weeks of packing, days of last minute shopping, a Tex Mex dinner in Houston...

...and flight booked by my generous brother (who was excited to help his sister acquire a one way ticket out of the country!), I am finally in Honduras, in the company of the children and staff of El Hogar de Amor y Esperanza.  Children and staff who have worked their way into the hearts of people all over North America.  

Despite being 5000 kms away, El Hogar feels like home and I am beyond happy to be back.  What's even better is knowing that I don't have to leave in a week.

There will be lots of great moments and challenges ahead, but I'm looking forward to everything.  I am equipped with an open mind, an open heart, flexibility, patience and resourcefulness (see: flushing the toilet when the water is shut off).

When I arrived yesterday, there was an multi-city medical team finishing up their annual physicals for the students at all four centres.  This morning, the children gathered to thank the team and give them a send-off as they headed to the airport.  Below, some children raise their hand to indicate that it was their first ever exam by a doctor.  Such good things happening here!

To the northern folk, I hate to rub it in, but I'm going to anyway.  I'm sitting outside to pick up some Wi-Fi signal near the office and it's a balmy 20 degrees, but I if it makes you feel any better, the breeze is making me shiver.  I also got my first sun burn today (sorry, mom!).  We've been in a deep freeze for so long I forgot what hot sun could do.  Lesson re-learned on day one...

Stay warm and rested, friends.  Off to bed.  Another 5:00 am wake-up call awaits.