Small gifts, huge gratitude

How the project started Click here

To donate The forgotten children of the Land of Lakes and volcanoes

On Monday we visited Santa Teresa school, the small school with 62 children in a rural setting near the lake. We were delivering exercise books and pencils. The books had been purchased locally, the pencils and pens had been donated and I had taken with me in the extra suitcase. We arrived on two  motorbikes, one laden with the goods. This is not unusual; earlier in the day I saw someone with a table on their motor bike! Such skill, when I struggle to stay upright with just me!

It was the first day of term, and some of the children wearing the uniform we had distributed last week were there. They all look so smart and clean, given that they live in homes that only have cold water and no modern appliances. Washing is done on a concrete washboard or in the stream. Mine has been perfectly done by Sylvia, Jose's sister. 

The headteacher assembled those present ( they come in two shifts) . After the head teacher's introduction , I spoke to the children and their little faces were full of big smiles. I told them I used to be a teacher, and how I had come to Ometepe and wanted to help them have things to help them learn.

They came one by one to receive their two books and pencils or pen, every child smilling and saying thank you.  How refreshing that simple things can mean so much, and this is what drives me. It is the difference between our western world of consumerism and indulgence and the simple needs of these people.

The headteacher went on to explain how we were going to provide  further items for the school and how everyone in the community was charged with responsibility to look after everything.

However we discovered our maths was wrong and therefore have more to purchase for the rest of the children!

Later we visited the clinic at Las Pilas to deliver baby clothes, but unfortunately she had left earlier, so we left them with the staff for her next Monday's clinic . It was a very hot walk and we realised we had seen her can drive part whilst we were waiting at Martin's.

A lot of time can be spent waiting here! In the morning, I waited half an hour for my lift, but that gave me an opportunity for a hug and chat with David , last year's taxi driver who now has only occasional building work due to the lack of tourism. He asked if I was going to help the school down the road where his children go!

Later I waited in Rafaela Herrera only yo discover the Headteacher had had to go elsewhere and the telecommunications chap coukdnt come today!  But things work out in the end. I generally don't need lists here, it all unfolds in its own time!