Revisiting the schools in term time.

On Wednesday we revisited Sintiope. There was a glitch with my lift so I got a ride with Carlos from the hotel.  Turns out Allan had a flat tyre and no phone with him.
Then on arrival at Sintiope Amada had made an error and most children attended in the afternoon. But we had chance to see the work that had been done and meet some teachers, unravel a few things.

The food bins are in use

The locks installed

The partition is secure and safe

The doors are mended.

We identified further need in terms of curriculum books for the mixed age classes, we are following this up. We visited the classes and met the children who fell over each other to have a class photo!

We added a few more light bulbs to the shopping list and a light switch, and I need to collect more toys for the younger children, chess sets, early years play materials , I know there are some in the warehouse. I will also share out things to come here directly. 

We then walked home for lunch, then returned to sintiope by the footpath. 

What a lovely walk; Rooky enjoyed it too and was very well behaved. 

This afternoon resulted in more photos and more needs!

When we returned the technician was there to report on his visit to Santa Teresa and arrange tomorrow's visit to Tilgue.  

Yesterday evening I felt better, as had made an effort to drink more water, I think the wall of exhaustion I had felt for a couple of days was actually dehydration. Well that's another problem solved! 

This morning I got up to see an insect in the shower, the lighting is not good and I felt sure it had a curly tail, so I called the night chap, Herman. Turned out to be a half dead cricket in a strange position.  But I wasn't taking chances.  Especially when he told me a snake had come past the entrance of the hotel last night, out hunting he said, but he made short work of it with his machete. That's the common tool here! It's fine if you keep the door shut, he said, they can't get in! Well I'll certainly remember that advice. 

Today we visited Tilgue school where we saw the locks that had been installed and the food bins in use.  We visited the classrooms and spoke with the teachers, they identified skipping ropes, puzzles, dolls, as among the most wanted playthings. 

Then we were entertained by the staff and children with a lovely display of dancing, poetry, and the prayers and the songs of Nicaragua. There is a strong sense of nationalism here.

It was a lovely morning, but there were a lot of little boys, making for quite a lively atmosphere. I felt very sorry for their mums who wash in a stone sink or the stream, as their little white shirts were very dirty. There's so much dust, it gets everywhere. Sylvia has washed my shoes twice but it's a never ending task! 

We returned home on the motorbikes, then after lunch visited Rafaela Herrera. The head had taken up the moans and groans we had received and spoken to the leads of the satellite schools. Quite right too, as I was feeling uncomfortable about receiving their complaints. He is distributing the goods fairly and in a timely manner according to the size of the school to make them last. I suppose if they've never had the equipment they are scared they are going to miss out. Time should show. And having visited them all , listened and followed through many of their needs, I think they realise that they are being supported by the project too. We checked a couple more plumbing jobs for which we will purchase equipment and the head has arranged community support to install. He is developing the grounds into plots for cultivation all of which need watering, so a few pipes and hoses are necessary. It's both community support and education for the children.

Later we had some relaxation with cake from the local shop, sorted out some business stuff with Jose and Marvin showed me some of his land with a great view of Concepcion volcanoe- could be a future pied a terre !😂

I've decided embroidery with the students is too difficult to organise with their timetable, it should have been done in the holiday, but I really arrived too late. I'm going to do it with some local women instead, and if they don't finish, I can collect them next year. All will be safe with Sylvia! That takes off a bit of pressure. 

Today I'm off to visit a garden belonging to Marvin's friend, then we have a presentation to attend that Rafaela Herrera have prepared with the children. 

The garden was great. We went on the bus then walked a good way down some dirt roads until we came to Vivero Anita. It was a pretty litle garden stuffed full of plants. The owner was also a guide and told us about various places that might make a future excursion. We sat chatting on his verandah for ages. His plants are very cheap, and we learned that the school headteacher had been to visit. He invited me back to draw and paint whenever I want. 

We made our way home on the bus and later went to  the school. Once again the head had been called away, but he had left everything organised with Francisco. So the whole activity was led by the children with poems and dance, the usual prayers and national rituals. I was given a present which turned out to be a framed photo of me. I will be donating that to Marvin and Sylvia.

The children all chanted 'Que lo abre',  'open it', until it was all unwrapped. Then we went outside where the band and gymnastics team did a display. It was great to see the band using the new instruments purchased by Rotary, with great gusto. Last year's trumpet donation was also in use. 

 The saxophonist said it would be good to have more instruments and regular classes instead of just preparing once a year. We will have to think about this.   

Please excuse the wobbly bit in the video. I'm trying to find a way to edit it.

And just when we thought it was all over, out came the food!