Environmental Camp, Perquin Morazon

Concurso de piscuchas

The youth organized a kite design competition for last Saturday. About twenty kids came out with kites and there was a good crowd watching. We finished the event with dynamicas and a youth-run discussion on community solidarity and reinforcing traditions.

Sometimes, these dudes amaze me.

Local model, Maricela, is going to college!!!

Came back from a few days of camping and soccer in Northern Metapan (vacation!), to attend a meeting on the final scholarship selection for the Ostuma Educational Foundation, (founded by Alison). The decision process was surprisingly uncontentious and the results almost ideal. From San Jose Carrizal, Victor (grade 9) has a full scholarship to high school. Oscar, who has worked his way through high school and done all of his own washing and cooking along with his brothers while his mother has been in the hospital, is going to the University of San Vicente. Maricela, star student and a natural leader is going to the Universidad Tecnologica. Milton, who's parents have left him in his Aunt's care, who suffered a severe soccer injury earlier this year and who is much-loved by the students at El Carrizal, where he assistant taught, is going to the Pedagogica to become a math teacher.

They are amazing. I am so freaking proud.

Dia Cultural and painting the school

Field Based Training!

Last week a group from the next cycle of trainees came out

to my site for 3 jam-packed days of AIDS worhshops, English class, organic composting and a hike out to an NGO-run farm with the 4th grade class and some high school volunteers, evening runs with the track team, Cultural Day where they sat as judges, painting the school with some local youth and finally making recycled paper, leaf rubbings and countless games of tag and limbo with some 40 kids in my house. More than any sane person would ever do in a week, but I definitely couldn't have done it without them...

Observing just how freaking gorgeous El Carrizal can be with Emma's fourth graders.

finished product

Perquin Vacation

Fatima, Petrona and I decided it was time for a vacation and time to check out Perquin, the site of the war museum and some gorgeous hikes. We picked up Louise along the way, splurged for a cozy Cedar wood cabin and well, I wish the trip had been longer.

Its been raining and raining here to the point where people don't leave their houses and work all but doesn't happen. But when its not dumping, the Carrizal track team outfitted with brand new shoes still goes out for a run.

Papusa dinner after the inaugural run of the Spiderman light up shoes.