Delivering final uniforms for the start of the school term

Yesterday, Sunday, we arranged to go to Santa Teresa to deliver uniforms.  The day didn't quite turn out as expected so the planned excursion for the afternoon didn't take place. Our journey involving several motorbikes to get us there and was rudely interrupted by a police check point. Firstly a car with flashing lights passed us by, dropped off some police and then returned to park on the road behind us! We stopped, Marvin and Jordy turned round and visited a friend where the bike went into hiding! The technician was stopped. Luis Enrique, Jose's brother in law came to pick me up so I could get to the school,  whilst Marvin went to talk with the police. Of course I was late, and the others all arrived even later, but this is Nicaragua  and everyone takes it in their stride.   Everyone was gathered and a lovely welcome had been prepared.

There was a table laden with fruit gifts from the families, some of which were taken by the police on the return journey, part of the payment! The room had been decorated with a welcome sign and plants.   There were prayers, the national song, then some singing and speeches.

I spoke to everyone about the project then distributed the uniforms. 

All the other items had been gathered together, the stationery, boxes, cleaning materials, speakers, and the technician gave a talk to the staff about caring for the speakers. Given the environment and lack of technical knowledge of the teachers,  this is a good investment to care for our purchases in the schools. The technician also has knowledge of instruments and is helping advise us. 

Sadly we discovered later that the school in Los Ramos has had both it's water and electricity cut off. Quite disgusting on the part of the company really. Apparently it is a former house and the previous tenants failed to pay their bills, leaving $500 outstanding. The local delegate is trying to resolve this, meanwhile we will keep tabs on where their new speaker will be stored. I am also wondering how the school will be cleaned. Marvin asked if this could be a project for Peace and Hope.  I must ask, as they have normally reconstructed schools on the same land and not got involved in obtaining land. 

The boxes were opened containing stationery, football clothing, and football boots. Sadly not the kit from Horsham I had been expecting. This was going to offer me more local publicity. 

 But what arrives in the containers is not an exact science. 

I'll just keep collecting and hoping for the best. 

The staff entertained us to a  good lunch and Marvin updated me on the police issue. 

Apparently there have been some robberies by people on motorcycles and our technician was a likely candidate. They checked all his tools! However as no one had all their paperwork, fines were calculated for all of this and a charge of c$500 was levied. This is actually a bribe as it goes straight in their pocket and is illegal, but you don't argue with armed police here! I wouldn't put this on Facebook!  On our return journey they had repositioned themselves. Marvin did another set of negotiations and a further c$150 was extracted and this was when they helped themselves to the contents of the fruit boxes.  Oh well another day, another set of experiences and I have donated c$1150 to the Nicaraguan police. I've said I'll check and pay for someone's documentation next year, it will be cheaper!