June 22, 2010

By John Buck

 

Today we all woke up around 7:00 a.m. and had breakfast in the hotel. Afterwards we took the van up the mountain to El Hato for our first day of work at the school. When we arrived we saw all of the students in line for breakfast and we were evenly split between the two sections of the first grade. Our group began the day copying two worksheets that the teacher hade made. Since this teacher had no way of duplicating her original sheets we copied them 29 times each.

 

The work was very tedious and the students each received one for their homework. Next, the entire school had recess and we all went outside to play basketball and soccer. The field at the school was positioned on the mountainside and was for the most part a concrete surface covered in dust. Also, the goals were marked by two stones and there was a low brick wall that ran all the way around the area.

 

This game was very fun and the kids had a great time playing and retrieving balls that were kicked down the mountain. After recess we all went back to the classrooms where we used fabric markers to decorate the blank white shirts we brought. This activity was very exciting for the entire first grade and they could not wait to put their shirts on once they were completed. After making these shirts we played outside with the kids again.

 

They loved to be picked up and spun around in circles and many played duck, duck, goose until the lunch arrived. Once all of the kids were seated we gave each one a sandwich, a cookie, and a can of soda from Subway. They were all very happy to receive this treat and some were astounded that the entire can of soda was just for them.

 

Each first grader was then given an extra cookie to take home and many wrapped up their entire meal so they could take it home and share it with their family. After lunch we took the van back down to Antigua where we had the rest of the day free. We spent this time resting and exploring the town until it was time to go to dinner. Everyone had a great time at dinner and afterwards we all walked back to the hotel where we relaxed until going to bed.