|September 4, 2011

Maritza (1069)was a little uncomfortable in front of the camera.  Normally she is very smiley and happy, but everytime I counted to three before snapping the picture, she geeked out a bit and wouldnt make eye contact with the camera.  Then she wanted to see how the picture turned out, and made me retake about five times.  This was the picture that she chose, although she wasn't thrilled with it.

September 2, 2011

At the Friday assembly this group of fourth graders led every body in a rousing rendition of “Mi Dios es bueno” or in English, “My God is good”.  The crowd really gets into it, and I feel it is a great self esteem builder to be up in front of a large crowd, and get a positive response everytime.

September 1, 2011

In the next few weeks I will be sprinkling in somehighlights from the pictures Rachel and I took for the COPA database.   Below is Ronny, student number 415 in La Hoya.   Ronny has the best smile, and he is happy to share it.  For the most part you have to really struggle to get these kids to smile for a picture, most of them are just accustomed to the stony face look for photos, but Ronny’s smile comes easily, and can brighten anybody’s day.

August 31, 2011

Olivia led a two-part teacher workshop for both schools.  The talk touched on improving one’s self in order to help others, some planning strategies, and some crash course lessons on spelling and math. 

August 29, 2011

One of our night watchmen, Roger, has a couple of dogs that act as his “guard dogs.”  One is an old skinny guy  named Duque (meaning Duke) that barks at almost everybody, but whom no body is afraid of.  This is his new guard dog, Duquesa (meaning Duchess).  She is a loveable little thing who has worked her way in the heart and home of our Project Trust girls.  She doesn’t even try to pretend to be a guard dog, preferring instead to sleep all day.

August 27, 2011

In Bombita the morning assembly for the first few days of school was held in the covered comedor.  They had a more extensive welcome with a number of teachers giving lengthy talks on motivation, behavior, and responsibility.  Even with low numbers the first few days of school, they have since achieved %100 attendance for two days this week!

August 25, 2011

In the Barrio Nuevo (New Neighborhood) of La Hoya, one family uses a thorny tangle of branches as a security gate.  Sort of nature’s answer to barbed wire it would seem.