Focus on literacy

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

after an evening of tequila I feel the need to sleep in and skip my daily walk.
We do however walk to the Hacienda and have breakfast with the rest of the group.

The team s split up again and while Ramiro drives off to do some more painting, Mom and I get on the bus to Escuela del Chical, where we will deliver a few boxes of books and used clothing.
We turn off the main road direction Coquimatlan, into the countryside. We see nothing but fertile farmland, with corn, sugar and melon fields. The soil here is very fertile.
We’re in the middle of nowhere onto bumpy dirt roads, over tiny bridges and over a dry river bed and there is the small village. Only one road in and out. I hate to think about anyone getting into an accident. How will they ever reach a hospital in time?

When we reach the school, the students are already waiting for us and cheer as we enter the grounds. One of the students welcomes and thanks us on behalf of all children.
The books and clothes are being unpacked and after a short presentation we have the opportunity to read with some of the students.
There are about 75 children in this school, all of very poor families.
When we display the clothes, one room for the boys clothes and one for the girls, The children almost attach us. Each child is allowed to take two pieces of clothing.
The boys are a lot quicker with their selection than the girls are.
Each child has prepared a thank you letter or a drawing which they present to us.
We really feel that we have made a difference and have made a new friend. Some write in their letter that they would like us to respond to their letter.

As we leave, we are offered juice or a popsicle and are told by Francie, to accept them at our own risk.

As we drive to Coquimatlan, Beto explains that this city of 13,000 citizens, which celebrates it’s 200th anniversary, was once flooded and needed to be relocated.
In 2003 , and earthquake damages as much as 80% of the houses. Many of these have been reconstructed, starting with the schools and hospital.
As of today some of the buildings are still being fixed.
80% of the citizens work in the fields, making $11.00US per day. The poor however have free health care and other services provided.

The next school we visit is Escuela Las Mores. A new school, in a new development in the city. We deliver a completely new library, including a bookshelf.
This new school with only 35 students has students in grade one and two. As the students move on next year they will start a third grade.
There are no trees outside and the sweltering heat prevents us from being outside with the kids. So we sit at the little tables to read together. The kids just love it.

Angela, the director of the school is one of the scholars who has received her education through PA. It is wonderful to see how through the generosity of Rotarians and individual supporters of Project Amigo we see the results. Recently one of the students graduated from law school. This is only the beginning.

It’s lunch time. We drive to the little restaurant in Coquimatlan, owned and run by Beto’s wife. After lunch we drive to Nogueras, just outside of Comala, where the Hidalgo museum is. I skip the museum and wonder around the area, but look forward to visit the botanic garden once more.
The old hacienda is a sight on its own. The walls have been built with remnants of old pots, shingles and other materials. These walls could be as old as 400 years.
Paul and Jackie give us a tour of their house, which has a number of very interesting artifacts.
The museum is closed, but acquaintances of Project Amigo, own a house right in the gardens. They let us in through the backdoor and give us a private tour of the gardens with detailed explanations of the various species.
The house was originally build by an architect by the name of Morelos who lived in it for many years. It was later sold to another lady, and it stayed empty for at least five years before Paul and Jackie purchased it.

The other groups are already on the wine when we return to the hacienda. Jody has been busy cutting hair all afternoon, for the students and volunteers as well.
We stay for a presentation about the volcanos. Unfortunately the presenter was more of a scientist than a presenter and several people fell asleep. Had he started with the end of his presentation, showing the video of the volcano, he would have had a more captive audience.