A day with the children of Urbaite.

This lunchtime I arrived at Rafael Herrera School to meet Jose and some of the staff and children. Amazingly we only discussd this yesterday and despite it being school holidays everyone arrived. I was early so  I had a little wander around and talked to some of the children,

I noted the sorry state of the buildings and surroundings, so many hazards, so few resources.

The library contained books that had seen better days and there were a few musical instruments.

I was shown into the room where we were to have the presentation and was was quite humbled by the beautiful message of thanks written on the whiteboard, together with posters of handwritten lists of the donors, which I had only handed over yesterday.

8

Jose arrived with the bag of uniforms and the children dressed themselves for the photo shot.   Then they filed into the classroom where the Deputy headteacher gave a speech of thanks, I was asked to do likewise, in Spanish of course, then Jose rounded it off. Then came the photos and how smart they all looked.

I will be back next week to do activities with the children in embroidery, painting and English.

We then walked through the village to Jose's family's home where Jose had organised a party for the local children. As they arrived all the children greeted and hugged me. Their mothers did likewise as did Jose's family, what lovely people, who made me feel as if I belonged here. But were also interested to hear about my journey, my life and things in England. They noted my interest in the animals running around under the tables, pigs, chickens, dogs.

Jose's friend the chef, who had cooked our meal yesterday, had also prepared the food, rice and chicken with vegetables. I helped Jose with serving the children and one or two were brave enough to say 'thank you.'