Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Day 2
Hola from Jeff. Day 2 at the Hogar started at the outdoor market. We went to buy fruit for lunches that we eat together. Fruits I’d seen and fruits I’d never seen being sold in the open air next to clothes, pop in a bag, meat, jewelry and about anything you can imagine. We went from there to the grocery store. We were buying food for our lunches – simple stuff like bread, meat, crackers and then hot dogs, chips, and home made cookies for 120. No, that’s not a typo. Can’t imagine how we looked in the grocery store. The cost in the local currency was four figures in the local currency, lempira, which on conversion was remarkable cheap in dollars.
The kids are amazing. Affectionate! Oh my gosh. My hand has been held and I’ve been hugged by more kids under four feet tall than I can count. And the older kids, some shy, some not, are also anxious to sit and talk. Many of wish our Spanish was better so we could have deeper conversations but a lot of communicating is going on. Everyone is trying. For Holly and me, it’s great to see Jack and Allison using their Spanish. Jack is asking questions and having a ball with the kids (futbol today) and Allison is playing with the kids and translating for Holly and I when necessary.
The contrast between our lives and the lives here couldn’t be more stark but the importance of friendship and love is the same – a common bond, a common need. We’re all touched by the beauty and friendliness of these children and those who care for them. After two days I think we all see the world a bit differently. Can’t imagine what it will be like after a week.
Appreciate your life.
Jeff and the rest of the Parkers
The kids are amazing. Affectionate! Oh my gosh. My hand has been held and I’ve been hugged by more kids under four feet tall than I can count. And the older kids, some shy, some not, are also anxious to sit and talk. Many of wish our Spanish was better so we could have deeper conversations but a lot of communicating is going on. Everyone is trying. For Holly and me, it’s great to see Jack and Allison using their Spanish. Jack is asking questions and having a ball with the kids (futbol today) and Allison is playing with the kids and translating for Holly and I when necessary.
The contrast between our lives and the lives here couldn’t be more stark but the importance of friendship and love is the same – a common bond, a common need. We’re all touched by the beauty and friendliness of these children and those who care for them. After two days I think we all see the world a bit differently. Can’t imagine what it will be like after a week.
Appreciate your life.
Jeff and the rest of the Parkers
Kate's first blog - 31st de Marzo
Hola a todos.
When we first arrived at the Hogar, it was hard not to notice the smiling faces and loving eyes. We have been spending a lot of time communicating and doing activities with the kids. Through this, I know that I have learned a lot about the lives of the children and what they need in the future.
Yesterday, a group and I helped some children in the school reply to letters from EPHS students that we brought to the Hogar. The younger ones seemed to enjoy drawing pictures and watching us write out what they were saying. The older children decorated the edges, added stickers and wrote a lot about themselves. Near the end they were able to keep the letters, they seemed to love this.
Today Allison and I made sock puppets with the kindergartners and preschoolers. It was crazy and fun with glue all over and fabric glue on their faces. The two teachers did a tremendous job and there is no way we would be able to do it without them. The end result was a classroom full of proud children. They loved to show off their masterpieces to friends and volunteers.
This program has been very well organized in my opinion. We are able to spend quality time with the children and time working on things they need. But before and after our hard days work we have "cultural experiences". We have visited the wood shop, the market, the brick "factory," and the fruit stands. Also, each meal has opened us to new tastes and smells. Thank you Bob(ito).
So far I have noticed so many things that I wish that I could include in a blog, a typed document. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The experiences are unimaginable and unexplainable. I cannot put into words what this spring break has done for me so far--and it's only Tuesday. I wish that people would or could take the time out of their busy, fast paced lives to stop for a moment, and watch the world around them.
This honestly feels like the longest week of my life, but I wouldn't change it for a thing. The "Honduran time" as some people call it is... so much different. It's calming in a sense. I can wrap my head around what I'm doing and analyse every bit without hesitation.
Well....at this point I am just rambling.
So maybe I'll try and type some more later. Take care and thank you for reading.
Kate (Cati) Johnson
When we first arrived at the Hogar, it was hard not to notice the smiling faces and loving eyes. We have been spending a lot of time communicating and doing activities with the kids. Through this, I know that I have learned a lot about the lives of the children and what they need in the future.
Yesterday, a group and I helped some children in the school reply to letters from EPHS students that we brought to the Hogar. The younger ones seemed to enjoy drawing pictures and watching us write out what they were saying. The older children decorated the edges, added stickers and wrote a lot about themselves. Near the end they were able to keep the letters, they seemed to love this.
Today Allison and I made sock puppets with the kindergartners and preschoolers. It was crazy and fun with glue all over and fabric glue on their faces. The two teachers did a tremendous job and there is no way we would be able to do it without them. The end result was a classroom full of proud children. They loved to show off their masterpieces to friends and volunteers.
This program has been very well organized in my opinion. We are able to spend quality time with the children and time working on things they need. But before and after our hard days work we have "cultural experiences". We have visited the wood shop, the market, the brick "factory," and the fruit stands. Also, each meal has opened us to new tastes and smells. Thank you Bob(ito).
So far I have noticed so many things that I wish that I could include in a blog, a typed document. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The experiences are unimaginable and unexplainable. I cannot put into words what this spring break has done for me so far--and it's only Tuesday. I wish that people would or could take the time out of their busy, fast paced lives to stop for a moment, and watch the world around them.
This honestly feels like the longest week of my life, but I wouldn't change it for a thing. The "Honduran time" as some people call it is... so much different. It's calming in a sense. I can wrap my head around what I'm doing and analyse every bit without hesitation.
Well....at this point I am just rambling.
So maybe I'll try and type some more later. Take care and thank you for reading.
Kate (Cati) Johnson
Day 2... or 3... I dunno
I have basically lost track of time--I have no idea what day it is. I don't think it's the heat although it is quite warm.
Some deep thoughts from yesterday...
Today was funny. I spent most of the morning working on videos and Skyping with Kali’s class. Meanwhile Kali was busy having the preschool kids cling to her. She went to their class for a while and they hung all over her.
The afternoon was filled with laughter as we chased kids around, tickling them when we caught them. Our kite making class turned into a fiasco as we could find only one pair of scissors. Kali, Allison and I began cutting the kites out, but only produced 6 in an hour. We had planned to make 20; needless to say we weren’t very productive! We had six kids decorating their kites when we made the next “mistake.” Pulling out the balloon rockets before finishing the kites didn’t work in our favor as most of the kite makers became more interested in the balloon rockets. The kites didn’t get finished, but the kids had a blast with the balloon rockets.
Kim
.
Today wasn’t the most productive but it was still fun. I worked in the preschool in the morning. It was hot and stuffy in the room. They ended school earlier than the regular school so we went to their room to change into casual clothes and the music was playing so they started dancing in their underwear. I dance with them. We had lunch that the Parkers put together. Mmmmmmmmmmm. After that we went to play outside, but not many kids were out because they were doing their homework. They didn’t finish for about 2 hours. Once they were finished, we started making kites with the kids. As we were doing that we made a big mistake by bringing out the balloon rockets—though they were a big hit! We went to dinner and when we got there four kids from the Hogar were there—what a great surprise! After, we went to the town square where we saw lots of families visiting and a huge church. Then we had ice cream and walked home.
Kali
Our beautiful friend, Karolina, had our camera most of the day… most of these videos are from her.
Okay--- MAJOR difficulties uploading the video--either my patience is dwindling (ha-- if you know me at all- you get that), or attempting to upload for 6 hours just isn't worth it-- I'll try again manana (that's tomorrow for anyone that isn't as fluent as I (I'm cracking myself up-- again, if you know me at all, you'll get the humor cuz MI NO HABLO ESPANOL- not even un poco!)
Some deep thoughts from yesterday...
Today was funny. I spent most of the morning working on videos and Skyping with Kali’s class. Meanwhile Kali was busy having the preschool kids cling to her. She went to their class for a while and they hung all over her.
The afternoon was filled with laughter as we chased kids around, tickling them when we caught them. Our kite making class turned into a fiasco as we could find only one pair of scissors. Kali, Allison and I began cutting the kites out, but only produced 6 in an hour. We had planned to make 20; needless to say we weren’t very productive! We had six kids decorating their kites when we made the next “mistake.” Pulling out the balloon rockets before finishing the kites didn’t work in our favor as most of the kite makers became more interested in the balloon rockets. The kites didn’t get finished, but the kids had a blast with the balloon rockets.
Kim
.
Today wasn’t the most productive but it was still fun. I worked in the preschool in the morning. It was hot and stuffy in the room. They ended school earlier than the regular school so we went to their room to change into casual clothes and the music was playing so they started dancing in their underwear. I dance with them. We had lunch that the Parkers put together. Mmmmmmmmmmm. After that we went to play outside, but not many kids were out because they were doing their homework. They didn’t finish for about 2 hours. Once they were finished, we started making kites with the kids. As we were doing that we made a big mistake by bringing out the balloon rockets—though they were a big hit! We went to dinner and when we got there four kids from the Hogar were there—what a great surprise! After, we went to the town square where we saw lots of families visiting and a huge church. Then we had ice cream and walked home.
Kali
Our beautiful friend, Karolina, had our camera most of the day… most of these videos are from her.
Okay--- MAJOR difficulties uploading the video--either my patience is dwindling (ha-- if you know me at all- you get that), or attempting to upload for 6 hours just isn't worth it-- I'll try again manana (that's tomorrow for anyone that isn't as fluent as I (I'm cracking myself up-- again, if you know me at all, you'll get the humor cuz MI NO HABLO ESPANOL- not even un poco!)
Day 2 at the Hogar fue muy bueno
Day 2 at the Hogar!
Hola, this is Holly. Today was just another amazing day in many ways. First, it was blistering hot today. Not that I’m complaining, but it was hot enough that the kids from the Hogar were saying the heat was making their heads hurt. So, I guess that means it was hot. When we arrived on Sunday, the had had no water at the Hogar for the 3rd day. Yes, no water at all. First, you need to understand that they can’t drink the water anyways. But they rely on the water from the city to do wash, cook, take showers, use the toilets, etc. So, for three days there was no water to do the daily chores we take so for granted. In order to carry out their tasks, they had to take huge buckets and pails and go find water somewhere in the area. Sorry, I can’t remember but I know they were lugging water quite a distance, and to think, they couldn’t even drink it when they found it.
But, despite what appears to be steep challenges to perform even the simplest tasks, they do it with a smile and a look of gratitude to have what they do have.
Today, we went to the local school. There were about 120 kids all wearing white shirts and either navy blue pants or skirts. They were adorable. What was amazing to me was that despite having no books or supplies in the rooms, they were learning about the internet. Imagine that, in the middle of Honduras, where the water isn’t drinkable and the poverty is oppressive, they are learning about the internet. The dichotomy was amazing. Yet I believe the internet can provide them with an important link to the rest of the world - which leads us the work project we did today.
We began building countertops which will hold numerous donated computers that will allow the kids to study and explore using the internet. I can’t even imagine how their minds will be opened up to new and amazing things. With the help of JR, the son of the Hotel Quan’s owner and a computer genius, some very old computers will be put to great use.
Peace,
The Parkers
Hola, this is Holly. Today was just another amazing day in many ways. First, it was blistering hot today. Not that I’m complaining, but it was hot enough that the kids from the Hogar were saying the heat was making their heads hurt. So, I guess that means it was hot. When we arrived on Sunday, the had had no water at the Hogar for the 3rd day. Yes, no water at all. First, you need to understand that they can’t drink the water anyways. But they rely on the water from the city to do wash, cook, take showers, use the toilets, etc. So, for three days there was no water to do the daily chores we take so for granted. In order to carry out their tasks, they had to take huge buckets and pails and go find water somewhere in the area. Sorry, I can’t remember but I know they were lugging water quite a distance, and to think, they couldn’t even drink it when they found it.
But, despite what appears to be steep challenges to perform even the simplest tasks, they do it with a smile and a look of gratitude to have what they do have.
Today, we went to the local school. There were about 120 kids all wearing white shirts and either navy blue pants or skirts. They were adorable. What was amazing to me was that despite having no books or supplies in the rooms, they were learning about the internet. Imagine that, in the middle of Honduras, where the water isn’t drinkable and the poverty is oppressive, they are learning about the internet. The dichotomy was amazing. Yet I believe the internet can provide them with an important link to the rest of the world - which leads us the work project we did today.
We began building countertops which will hold numerous donated computers that will allow the kids to study and explore using the internet. I can’t even imagine how their minds will be opened up to new and amazing things. With the help of JR, the son of the Hotel Quan’s owner and a computer genius, some very old computers will be put to great use.
Peace,
The Parkers
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