Sue Pazinko's Journal
School and our Trip home
4-Sep-2008
Tues Aug 26th
WE are becoming manic depressive. One day we'll wake up thinking it's a good day and only 4 left,and another day we'd think another crummy day and still 3 to go. Today it was over cast and a slight mist as we walked to our pick up spot. As we waited for our ride it began to actually rain. We'd lost one of the ponchos . Lisa did have a windbreaker jacket. Sue wanted to go home but "what would we do all day there?" We decided if our bench truck didn't come we weren't going to school. The bench truck come and the rain let up.We made it to school without being too wet. It rained off and on during the morning but the school roof didn't leak. We continued with colors with our second grade classes using a song and colored Twizzlers. We used the song with the first grade also. We made our trusty puppets with the 4th grade. Sue distributed most of her supplies to individual teachers and explained how to use them. While we were sorting out supplies and English Teacher of 7-9 grade asked to see the puppet. We said she could have it and gave her several games Sue had brought. She said we were doing an excellent job, the children all loved when we came and were excited about our creative lessons. It was nice to confirm the hope that we were making a difference.
We waited 1/2 hour for the truck, one went by with a large pig in the back and didn't even offer us a ride. The school director drove by with 4 other teachers in teh back of the truck. She gave us a ride. It did rain some on our ride. WE decided not to go to the child care as we wouldn't be outside.
We walked home to pack . On the way home there were 3 boys sailing paper boats in the gutters of the streets.
Sue got a lesson from Maria , the mom, on how to wash socks.
Wed Aug 27
ONe of the ladies that rode with us on our bench truck gave Sue a little hand made felt purse. Erin joined us teaching our first 3 classes. We taught emotions to both 5th grade classes and Weekly Reader and God's eyes to the 6th grade class. Both 5th grade classes went well. It was good to have Erin help with the 6th grade as there were 40 students in the class. They all learned to make the god's eye although they didn't finish. Erin was not there to help with the 4th grade when we made color wheels . It was the last class and we had to stay latter to finish. The children were sitting around eating the food that was dished out in their bowls. On the step was a bucket of milk the children dipped their cups into . If they didn't finish their milk they'd pour it back as not to waste it. One of the teachers had the student's puppets hanging up. She was GREAT and did all the projects and activities along with the students. Earlier Sue gave Diana, the English Teacher, a CD player and CD"S she had burned in English.
We waited almost an hour for a truck. Sue still had book markers that she hadn't given out. 8 or 10 children crowded around and she had them name each color before she'd give them one. We finally got a ride. Lisa was able to sit in front and Sue got to stand.
WE went to daycare and "tatooed" the children. We left the rope for them.
WE had a smoothy and walked home. At the top fo the last hill we climbed before getting home there is a family of 3 boys and a girl.They always say
" Good Morning, How are you?" Like all the children they repeat whatever we say.Last week we gave them stickers. Today we cleaned out bags of bananas, oranges , pencils pens and gave them to the children. They said "MUCHO THANKs"
After dinner the family gathered in teh living room and Sue gave them her gifts. She had a Yankee cap for the brothers. The dad always wore cowbay type hat but he took it off and put his Giants cap on. She had "Jersey Shore" tee shirts which they seemed to enjoy as well. She gave Maritza a magnetic bracelet that the brothers played with. She had summer hats and a small shell box for Maria. They gave us 2 small green and orange placemats.
Thurs Aug 27
Maximo picked us up at 7:45 and we said goodbye to our family.
Erin was already at the bus stop. Sue stored 4 large bags, one small bag and Matt's gift under teh bus. It took off before we found seats. We sat in the
back and each of us was next to the window. It was the best and last bus ride. WE arrived in Tegucigalpa around 11:00. The section we drove through had small conjested streets and lots of traffic. After Getting off the bus we were able to get all 3 of us and our luggage in a taxi to our hotel. We had our first shower in a week. The room isn't air conditioned but does have a big fan. We walked a couple of blocks to a restaurant and had a lousy HOnduran Plato Mixto. In the bathroom was a sign that said you weren't allowed to shoot up there. We spent he rest of the day safely on our rooms. IN the morning we repacked and took a taxi to the airport. everything went smoothly.
Reflection :
Honduras is a very beautiful, green, mountainous and friendly place. We always felt safe in our town and when we traveled. Cattle and horses are staked out by the roads to graze. There are dogs all around the villages. Chickens run free and rosters wake you up every morning at about 4:30. Oxen are used to pull carts of wood and plow fields. You will walk alot over muddy, steep and slippery roads.In La Esperanza many homes did not have running water and if they did showers were far and few between for lack of water in the town as a whole. The Bay Islands were amazing, beautiful warm waters,with unique coral reefs and sleepy beach towns.The colonial cities had
rugged cobblestone streets,impressive architecture and numerous shops and restaurants. The thing I loved about Honduras was that even the so called tourist sections were not touristy by any stretch of the American standard. So many of the towns are so uncommercialized. This was truly a remarkable and humbling experience. The people and children I have come in contact with have touched my heart and have refocused my priorities. It has caused me to reevalute. I am hoping my school will have a school wide force to help the school In Honduras. As they say " That which does not kill you makes you stronger" and I'm greatful for the strengthI have gained.
I'D LOVE TO BE A RESOURCE TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE IT AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES TO SHARE, Just as RACHAEL has done for me.
My e-mail address is beachszq@optonline.net.
Previous Entry: Child CAre and Copan ruins • 25-Aug-2008
4-Sep-2008
Tues Aug 26th
WE are becoming manic depressive. One day we'll wake up thinking it's a good day and only 4 left,and another day we'd think another crummy day and still 3 to go. Today it was over cast and a slight mist as we walked to our pick up spot. As we waited for our ride it began to actually rain. We'd lost one of the ponchos . Lisa did have a windbreaker jacket. Sue wanted to go home but "what would we do all day there?" We decided if our bench truck didn't come we weren't going to school. The bench truck come and the rain let up.We made it to school without being too wet. It rained off and on during the morning but the school roof didn't leak. We continued with colors with our second grade classes using a song and colored Twizzlers. We used the song with the first grade also. We made our trusty puppets with the 4th grade. Sue distributed most of her supplies to individual teachers and explained how to use them. While we were sorting out supplies and English Teacher of 7-9 grade asked to see the puppet. We said she could have it and gave her several games Sue had brought. She said we were doing an excellent job, the children all loved when we came and were excited about our creative lessons. It was nice to confirm the hope that we were making a difference.
We waited 1/2 hour for the truck, one went by with a large pig in the back and didn't even offer us a ride. The school director drove by with 4 other teachers in teh back of the truck. She gave us a ride. It did rain some on our ride. WE decided not to go to the child care as we wouldn't be outside.
We walked home to pack . On the way home there were 3 boys sailing paper boats in the gutters of the streets.
Sue got a lesson from Maria , the mom, on how to wash socks.
Wed Aug 27
ONe of the ladies that rode with us on our bench truck gave Sue a little hand made felt purse. Erin joined us teaching our first 3 classes. We taught emotions to both 5th grade classes and Weekly Reader and God's eyes to the 6th grade class. Both 5th grade classes went well. It was good to have Erin help with the 6th grade as there were 40 students in the class. They all learned to make the god's eye although they didn't finish. Erin was not there to help with the 4th grade when we made color wheels . It was the last class and we had to stay latter to finish. The children were sitting around eating the food that was dished out in their bowls. On the step was a bucket of milk the children dipped their cups into . If they didn't finish their milk they'd pour it back as not to waste it. One of the teachers had the student's puppets hanging up. She was GREAT and did all the projects and activities along with the students. Earlier Sue gave Diana, the English Teacher, a CD player and CD"S she had burned in English.
We waited almost an hour for a truck. Sue still had book markers that she hadn't given out. 8 or 10 children crowded around and she had them name each color before she'd give them one. We finally got a ride. Lisa was able to sit in front and Sue got to stand.
WE went to daycare and "tatooed" the children. We left the rope for them.
WE had a smoothy and walked home. At the top fo the last hill we climbed before getting home there is a family of 3 boys and a girl.They always say
" Good Morning, How are you?" Like all the children they repeat whatever we say.Last week we gave them stickers. Today we cleaned out bags of bananas, oranges , pencils pens and gave them to the children. They said "MUCHO THANKs"
After dinner the family gathered in teh living room and Sue gave them her gifts. She had a Yankee cap for the brothers. The dad always wore cowbay type hat but he took it off and put his Giants cap on. She had "Jersey Shore" tee shirts which they seemed to enjoy as well. She gave Maritza a magnetic bracelet that the brothers played with. She had summer hats and a small shell box for Maria. They gave us 2 small green and orange placemats.
Thurs Aug 27
Maximo picked us up at 7:45 and we said goodbye to our family.
Erin was already at the bus stop. Sue stored 4 large bags, one small bag and Matt's gift under teh bus. It took off before we found seats. We sat in the
back and each of us was next to the window. It was the best and last bus ride. WE arrived in Tegucigalpa around 11:00. The section we drove through had small conjested streets and lots of traffic. After Getting off the bus we were able to get all 3 of us and our luggage in a taxi to our hotel. We had our first shower in a week. The room isn't air conditioned but does have a big fan. We walked a couple of blocks to a restaurant and had a lousy HOnduran Plato Mixto. In the bathroom was a sign that said you weren't allowed to shoot up there. We spent he rest of the day safely on our rooms. IN the morning we repacked and took a taxi to the airport. everything went smoothly.
Reflection :
Honduras is a very beautiful, green, mountainous and friendly place. We always felt safe in our town and when we traveled. Cattle and horses are staked out by the roads to graze. There are dogs all around the villages. Chickens run free and rosters wake you up every morning at about 4:30. Oxen are used to pull carts of wood and plow fields. You will walk alot over muddy, steep and slippery roads.In La Esperanza many homes did not have running water and if they did showers were far and few between for lack of water in the town as a whole. The Bay Islands were amazing, beautiful warm waters,with unique coral reefs and sleepy beach towns.The colonial cities had
rugged cobblestone streets,impressive architecture and numerous shops and restaurants. The thing I loved about Honduras was that even the so called tourist sections were not touristy by any stretch of the American standard. So many of the towns are so uncommercialized. This was truly a remarkable and humbling experience. The people and children I have come in contact with have touched my heart and have refocused my priorities. It has caused me to reevalute. I am hoping my school will have a school wide force to help the school In Honduras. As they say " That which does not kill you makes you stronger" and I'm greatful for the strengthI have gained.
I'D LOVE TO BE A RESOURCE TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE IT AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES TO SHARE, Just as RACHAEL has done for me.
My e-mail address is beachszq@optonline.net.
Previous Entry: Child CAre and Copan ruins • 25-Aug-2008
