The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

  The primary school football team are kitted out in the uniforms which were the first item we bought for them four years ago.  They have cared for it well and it is sill in use.  The children have got through to the first stage of the tournament . Marvin and Ervin collecting the damaged chairs for repair from the secondary school and Tilgue.  They are pedalling in the hot sun using their bicycles and carts behind.  I can't believe how hard they are prepared to work sometimes.  Three stages of the new latrines at Sintiope. Cleaning materials purchased and distributed to all eight schools.  The teachers, parents and children clean the school with particular effort after the holidays.  The atmosphere is very dusty with the volcanic dust and many rooms have no windows or they do not seal. They new latrines at Rafaela Herrera.

 We are pleased to have been able to distribute uniforms to nearly 100 children across the eight schools.  Marvin, Sylvia and family have diligently made brown paper bags so as to avoid the plastic I have deterred them from using!  What dedication.  Marvin and Jordy have sometimes Sylvia too, have visited the schools to ensure all were distributed;  those that were not collected in school were retained at his home for collection.  From each school, where wifi  and signal permitted, a video call was made so that I could share in the proceedings.  It was almost as if I was there! Instituto Secundario Tigue Sintiope Santa Teresa and Los Ramos Children collecting from Marvin's house. Tilgue Shoes for children at El Corozal Rafael Herrera We have also distributed a broom, mop and rake to all teachers who have to clean and take care of the school with the help of pupils and parents.  There is normally a big clean up before term starts, as, due to t...

 You will no doubt remember the state of the facilities from my photographs last year.  This being the most shocking! Well we are finally able to help.  After a site survey it was discovered that there was not sufficient space to start from scratch so the current latrines will be dismantled and reconstructed from brick to make safe and hygienic provision. The materials are being delivered and the work will begun as soon as progress has been made on the other sites and labour is available.

 The sanitary project at Rafaela Herrera is progressing well, so materials have now been purchased for one of the satellite schools Sintiope, just a couple of miles down the road.  Further work will take place at Las Pilas and Tilgue as funds become available.  Some small repairs have been undertaken at these schools both during last year's visit with the help of my Canadian friend Patrick and during the year, by local people.  Due to Covid costs of materials are rising, so we are trying to get ahead of the game as far as possible. Progress is being made with the excavation with the aid of the local community.

 The sanitary project was halted by the hurricane and rains, which washed earth back into the holes that had been laboriously dug. After that various people working on the project contracted Covid and were unable to work for several weeks due to the debilitating effects. They only had their home remedies to fall back on.   During the first week of January work recommenced with Pedro Antonio, Marvin an Mateo once more diffing holes fo the new latrines. The almost complete latrines at Rafaela Herrera.  Some of the teachers have said they would like to move in!  I think they deserve an opening ceremony!  They are next to the toilet block we repaired last year where there are some handwashing facilities, which need a few running repairs too. A minor but necessary repair has also been made on a gate at Tilgue School.