Two Days...

I can't wait to see all of you!!!

"I am not exaggerating when I say that this time two years ago, I was a hot mess in Olancho. I felt incompetent and discouraged in my classroom. I missed my friends and family en los estados, and to top it all off, I had broken my ankle and had a cast up to my knee and an old-lady walker which Carlos found in a donation pile at Nazareth. I requested a meeting with Annie, then principal, to discuss the possibility of leaving since I had heard of a prospective volunteer (with a teaching degree) who wanted to come down to Olancho if, and only if, she was given her own classroom.

For weeks I pondered if this was a sign from above. I had been feeling like a failure in my classroom and I thought perhaps this was God's way of telling me to go. Maybe the best way to serve the children of Santa Clara was to leave and let someone else, with teaching knowledge and experience, do the job more adequately. But alas, Annie convinced me to stay. And thank God she did!

After Christmas break, my munchkins (2nd graders) did a complete 180! It was as though they suddenly "got it". They started absorbing material like crazy, reading and writing in English, speaking in English and following directions! It was AMAZING. I too, started to understand their needs much better and became so inspired as my role as their teacher. Lesson plans were no longer a drag, but rather something I enjoyed doing because their success was incredibly motivating. The cherry on top came one day when I found out several of my students had snuck into my classroom during recreo to read Dr. Seuss books aloud to one another. A few months ago, they couldn't even identify the letters of the alphabet in Spanish, much less read in English.

Thus, hang in there! Teaching is tough! Life in Olancho is tough! But something greater has called you to Olancho (whatever it may be), and in THIS moment YOU are absolutely THE best thing for your students and for Santa Clara. Your persistence and commitment to these children WILL generate the success that you've hoped for. Just hang in there." - Maria Balata

The Rat

Just after I submitted my last post I had quite the event go down in my house. I was feeling extra energetic tonight, so I decided before I got the last of my grading done I would start setting stuff aside that I needed to take home. As I was lifting up some of my clothes to take inventory, I noticed a large lump underneath one of my shirts... and when that lump started to move I screamed bloody murder!! IT WAS A RAT!!!

We've had mice before but nothing as big and ugly as this thing! Of course after I spotted him and started screaming he took off running right underneath my bed. So I put on my badge of courage and scooted the bed out to try and get him to run out of the house. But to no avail he wouldn't leave. Instead he hid under the other tower in my room. At this point I decided I needed to document this guy. Here is what went down after I realized he was under my other tower...

After laughing hysterically that Kandice got on top of the table I tried three or four more times to get him to leave, but I couldn't lift the furniture and chase him with the broom at the same time. So I frantically called Lacey and had her send Jeff and Andrew over. They showed up about 5 minutes later with a sword in hand. I asked Andrew is he was going to chop off his head, but he assured me he only brought it so he wouldn't have to actually touch the rat. My heart was RACING because I knew it was just waiting under our couch and I would have to see it scurry across the floor again. Jeff figured out a plan of attack and here's what happened...

SUCCESS! Thank God! I don't think I would have been able to sleep unless I knew that thing was not in our house. A huge thanks to Andrew and Jeff for saving the day. I seriously thought if I ever saw a rat I could man up and handle it, but I think the screams prove otherwise.

I think I'll still be sleeping with one eye open...just in case...

 “There is something you must always remember…you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”   -Winnie the Pooh

Navidad en el Orfanato

Carrie had the wonderful idea of doing Christmas activities with the orphans. So Sunday afternoon some of us headed over to set up stations and do crafts with the kids. We made reindeer out of clothespins, "holiday" houses, red/white/green paper rings, snowflakes, and had some color sheets for them. There are 30 kids in the orphanage ranging from an infant to 17 years old. The older kids weren't there for some reason but we had a blast playing with the younger ones:

Anne making paper rings with Yaritza (her student)

Angela with one of the cutest little girls EVER

Peggy helping Maria with her house

Jackie with one of the girls

These three bring me so much joy...

Jose Alberto, Jose Maximino, and Maria Jose (Hondurans really like the name Jose)

Kandice with Clara (one of her students)

Dan brought his guitar along so we could sing some Christmas carols with the kids... 

Strummin' away

Lacey with Jose Alberto...he loved wearing those chains around his neck!

Some of the finished houses...

We used wafer cookies, icing, marshmallows, and peppermints.

Carrie had gone to the orphanage a few weeks prior to this event to take pictures of all the kids. Then she made these sweet little Christmas cards that had all of the pictures she'd taken inside...

Carrie getting ready to hand out the Christmas cards

Man, did those kids faces LIGHT up when they saw the pictures of themselves!! It was the highlight of the day for me...

Peggy getting excited with Yaritza about her pictures

Jose Alberto loving all the "shots" Carrie took of him!

I love this little girl!

After we cleaned everything up and sang a few Christmas carols it was time to pop in a Christmas movie and let the kids eat their houses:

YUM!

Chowing down and watching "A Madagascar Christmas"...Alberto is really into it!

All of us...

It was one of the happiest days I've had here and I'm looking forward to more like it!

4 days!

"I'm not such a great pep-talker, but I think it's important for the volunteers to remember what they are offering to the children involved with Olancho Aid. While at Santa Clara, often times I felt inadequate. I thought my teaching skills were not enough to inspire perfect little Honduran school-children. I wanted to quit because it was too hard and because I wasn't good enough at the job. But at some point I realized that just me being there was more than enough for those kids. The fact that the volunteers can offer their time, effort, example, and love, is enough. Their presence is enough. Them speaking English is enough. There is no way for them to be perfect, but the kiddies NEED them. And if it weren't for the volunteers, Olancho Aid would be nothing. Of course when the volunteers leave, OAF will move on, recruit others, and continue with its mission. But this school year can only be a success with the current volunteers continuing their service.

The time between now and Christmas break will fly ...  and of course after Christmas it will be a challenge to get back on that plane for round two. But, that is why they came to Juticalpa. They showed up in the first place to offer themselves in service to God and His people. It's supposed to be hard. It it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great." - Jess Santavy

Maki's Birthday

Saturday night we all got together to celebrate Maki's 26th birthday. She wanted to have a huge party so we drove out to some land behind the instituto to celebrate the big event. There was an outdoor grill there and a small building with a bathroom inside...perfect! Andrew came prepared with the materials to put together this awesome cake:

Oscar is no longer at Santa Clara because the foundation wanted him in their central office. So now he comes to the school occasionally to fix various things, but he isn't the computer teacher anymore. It was nice that he still came out to celebrate Maki's birthday with us...

Assembling the cake...I think someone should have grabbed that knife away from Andrew ;)

Lacey will always play my picture games and I love her for it. I said "Let's put these pineapple pieces on our heads" and as you can see she did it, although I didn't realize you wouldn't be able to see her piece -- still fun...

We all danced the night away (literally) -- I didn't walk into my house until almost 2a.m.!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Spanish music and dancing :):

The plates pre carne asada...

The meat on the grill...my mouth was watering!

The finished plates included corn tortillas, carne asada, refried beans, salsa for the carne, a small block of cheese, and rice. QUE RICO!!

We ended the night by belting out "Summer of 69"! Here is Maki doing a great air guitar:

The Group:

As you can see a lot of people had on jackets or sweaters because it was super cold. I didn't realize how cold it was when we left and since I knew we'd be dancing I didn't bring a jacket with me. Now I'm paying for it with a nice cold! Hopefully it'll go away within the next four days, because I will not be happy if I'm sick while I'm home. 

Cinco Días Más!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Coming down here I had the intention of staying a few months. Well, now, those few months have literally turned into a few years. I take time out of a stressful day to watch the children and know the difference this organization is making. Looking back at last year, it is incredibly hard work to be a teacher and the work load will never compare to another job. The amount of effort and work you put in for these children will make this your hardest job ever emotionally. With this new role I have had the opportunity to see a different side of Honduras, a more impoverished side, critically in need of help. The poverty is unreal and the level of education of some of the parents at the school is incredibly low. Know that you are the way this country will improve. I fully understand now that EDUCATION is the way to build them up from the corruption, violence, poverty that has taken over their country. These children will remember you forever and even if they don't appreciate what you are offering them now, they will. And every child at this school will improve their country in some way with spreading the knowledge that you planted." - Ginny Rainwater

La fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción

Yesterday we had the day off school to celebrate "The Feast of the Immaculate Conception"


"Today is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States, a day on which we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (the Immaculate Conception has been, since 1846, the Patroness of the United States). Note that it is she, Mary herself, who is the Immaculate Conception; the day does not refer to Mary's conceiving Jesus by the Holy Ghost, but to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, by Mary's father, St. Joachim. What makes her conception immaculate is not that she was conceived by the Holy Ghost of a virgin, as was Christ Our Lord, but that from the very moment of her conception, she was filled with grace by God, Who knew, in His omniscience, that she would say "yes" to the Angel Gabriel and become the Mother of the Savior. Exactly nine months from now, on September 8, we will celebrate Mary's birthday (I always knew someone like Mary had to be born in the month of September ;) )"


My day started with mass at the Cathedral. There were three masses offered and I chose to go at 9a.m. When I arrived and saw the entire church filled with people I realized that the 6:00a.m. mass wasn't over yet. That prepared me for the long mass I was going to sit through. It was beautiful though and the songs were jammin'! During communion some ladies and little girls in traditional Honduran dresses danced up the aisle:

Qué Linda

It was a FULL house:

And no mass in Honduras would be complete without a stray dog wandering in:

After mass I went shopping in town with Anne and came across this funny store:

Just a wild guess...but I bet they don't accept dollar bills!

Then it was time for a nap before round two. I headed back into town around 6:30 to participate in all of the nighttime festivities. On the walk there I ran into lots of my students. I love seeing them out and about! 

Marcela and Me

When I got into town I saw they had put a Christmas tree up in the center. It was so festive :)! Although it's hard to imagine it's the Christmas season when it's still 80 degrees outside!

There were lots of vendors out selling different types of food, candy, and knick-knacks of all sorts! After checking all of that stuff out we walked around town to see all of the different alters set up to honor Mary:

Our religion teacher's (Olban) alter to Mary

One of Jeff's students posing with baby Jesus

We ran into some of the teachers from Santa Clara:

Kandice (my new roommate), Carrie, Lacey, Ella (Kinder teacher), me, Anne, Angela, and Jeff's student

Spotted a crazy painted truck:

WE WANT DEMOCRACY!

Then saw someone running through the streets with firecrackers strapped to a box on their head. MUY LOCO!!!!

Finally around 8:00 or so they brought the Blessed Mother out of the Cathedral...

Complete with a short fireworks show...

The people process through the streets with Mary while saying a rosary. After the rosary is finished the people run through the streets going from altar to altar - screaming some phrase that ryhmes and getting food (mainly fruit and candy) thrown at them. We stayed for part of the procession but it was getting really late so we walked home before the people started running through the streets. I was bummed that we missed it, but since we had to come to school today I needed that sleep!

Today is December 9th and it's also 9 days until I'm home!!!! I can't believe how fast the days are flying by! 

TGIF tomorrow!!!!!

"If you think you're carrying something heavy, just imagine that the next person is carrying something twice as heavy next to you." I went for a run once and I passed a mother (a little bit older then me) carrying a wailing baby, holding the hand of another child (who had Down's syndrome) and walking next to another one of her kids. They were leaving town (most likely after a hard day of work) and walking home. I remember the mother's face, exhausted and worn, and she still managed to pass me with a gracious "que le vaya bien." At that moment "my load" didn't seem quite as heavy." -Mary Monley

A Brief Glimpse...

de mi loco estudiantes:



"Thinking back two years ago I remember how tough of a period this last stretch can be. Feelings of homesickness were coupled with a lingering doubt that I was failing these kids at school. There isn't a quick fix to this problem but I promise you that THINGS WILL GET BETTER! When put in an unnatural setting it is hard to step back and take stock of your accomplishments, because the day to day living is enough of a challenge on its own. But the reality is you are molding 30-40 young minds that otherwise would not have this opportunity. You are playing a crucial role in laying the groundwork for these kids to potentially achieve goals that their parents' generation would have deemed impossible. Hang in there and know we are al thinking about you. One final thought....it will all be worth it when you get off the bus on your first day back from Christmas break and your entire class engulfs you in a monstrous group hug. There isn't a better feeling in the world." - John Monley

Laughter is the BEST Medicine

I have had a lot of good laughs these past few days...

Thursday: Peggy came into my classroom to ask me for my house keys because some maintenance people needed to do some work on my house. I asked what work was being done but Peg wasn't sure. So I handed over the keys and when I got home my bathroom stuff was all over my dinning room, so I knew it had something to do with the bathroom. Peggy told me she thought it had something to do with the water. When I first moved into my house we didn't have running water but two weeks ago Carlos had the pipe that goes to my house fixed and now I get running water, well until it gets insanely hot again that is! But for the time being I'm really enjoying it. So Jackie and I scanned the bathroom to try and figure out what they had done. She said "OMG Bridget it doesn't smell in here anymore, I think they cleaned it" and I was thinking "What? Why would people come in to clean my bathroom?" So I checked it out only to realize it was just as clean as when I left it that morning, but Jackie was right - it didn't smell anymore. The sewage comes up through my bathroom and the toilet doesn't flush on it's own, so you can imagine the smell - it's horrible! Well twenty minutes later I went to the bathroom and to my pleasant surprise I saw a brand new toilet!!! I couldn't believe my eyes and wait for it..........IT FLUSHES ON IT'S OWN! WHAT?!?!?! Crazy stuff! Later in the evening I was talking to another volunteer about it and he asked what they did with the old one. I told him they probably threw it on the side of the road somewhere knowing how Hondurans work.

Friday: I wake up to get ready for school and as I'm drying my hair off with my towel I see something in my backyard and jump. I thought a person was out there at first, but on second glance this is what I see...

So I ran outside to get a closer look and sure enough...there were my toilets just hanging out in the backyard...

I couldn't pass up a funny photo...

Friday: After school it was time to decorate for Christmas for a few hours.

Fanny with her beautiful stocking

We had to paint glue and sprinkle glitter on a ton of snowflakes. Bessy (the Honduran 6th grade teacher) was doing all of the sprinkling because they didn't really trust us to, but she had to go paint and then I got to take over as glitter queen. I had a blast and at one point Mary looked over at me and said "Bridget, I'm sensing something very natural about this for you" Ahaha I was cracking up. I do love my crafts :)

Saturday: Jeff stopped by my house to pry one of my of my old toilet lids off because his and Andrew's broke this past Thursday. They both deny doing it so it's a mystery as to what happened. But it was a great laugh for me...I almost peed my pants watching him get that thing off with a butter knife.

After the toilet lid was successfully removed I went for a walk in town and stopped by Sonia's Vet Clinic. I wanted to take some pictures of the birds she's watching for an American man who's off traveling for five months...

Two beautiful Macaw's

Some other type of parrot that talks

They are just so beautiful, but one of them is a biter :/

After that I headed to the beauty pageant happening in town. My little Maria Jose was selected to represent Santa Clara :)! I ran into a lot of my students while I was there. Here is little Leah...

Don't I look like such a mom :)?

We support you Maria Jose...

The nuns and a bunch of the kids from the orphanage came to support her. So sweet! This little man was too cute for words...

Maria is a tomboy so it was funny to see her with make-up on. She took it so seriously though and rocked it. Check out that pose...

Some of the other little girls from the orphanage came to perform a dance number...

I couldn't stay for the whole thing because it gets dark so early now and I had to walk home alone, but I was informed today that Maria Jose WON!!! That's my girl!

Saturday night we were suppose to go out dancing. So I spent an hour getting ready because I was in a particularly great mood and wanted my outside to reflect my inside. Nine of us piled into Claudia and her husbands car, but when we got to the bar we were told it was closed for the night -- what a bummer! So then we drove around for another 30 minutes trying to find somewhere else to go with no luck. We were ready to get out of the car at that point because we were packed in there like pickles!

Carrie, Anne, Lacey, Jackie, and Angela all sitting in the middle seat.

Jeff and I in the back of the car. I think both of my legs were asleep by the time I got out.

Even though we didn't make it out to dance. I made everyone get out of the car to take a picture since I went to all of that trouble to get ready!

Lacey, Me, Claudia, Carrie, Jackie, Anne, and Angela.

So I spent my night at Lacey, Jeff, and Andrew's watching  "The Goonies" with Lacey while Jeff watched the USC vs. UCLA game. It was a fun time. Jeff had bought this hat in town that he swore was a sign that his team would win. So Lacey and I both had to wear the hat and pose with Jeff's Honduran friend "Carlos" (his number 11 Honduran Jersey koozie)...

Lace and Heffrey

UCLA!!!

Word

This weekend was filled with lots of laughter which is exactly what I needed after a long week of school!

I am inspired.hopeful.happy

"What keeps me going is the knowledge that education is the ONLY way that we can get this country in a better place. We can give them all the money in the world and the government will mismanage it. Corrupt governments love to keep their population uneducated. That way they can continue to exploit their weaknesses. The only way we can help Honduras is educate their population so that they will rise up and change the structure of their country. When I have students like Nemesis and Angela who are smart, engaged and truly think about questions, I know that we are creating leaders who will make a change for this country" - Meagan Tenety