Day four and it's off to El Barronco to visit sponsored students. We were picked up at the hotel and transported to MF office to collect food that is being donated to the families we will visit. Dave and Mike stayed at the office to make up food baskets for some other families and then went to visit Dave's sponsored students that are not in EB. The rest of us proceeded to EB Where we went to the preschool first and Amanda brought the balloons she forgot on Monday. It just happened it was recess time so the kids were having a great time playing with the balloons.
Then our first home visit was to Amanda"s student, Sonia, who is in preschool. It turns out that the mom is in Solola with another of her children getting their end of yr. school grades so we visit w/ the grandmother a bit, drop off the donations and will return after our other visits.
Next is Angela's little boy,who's name has left me right now. He is the brother of Norma, who is my friend Joy's sponsored student. He's a bit shy at first but then warms up to the whole idea of this strange woman who has come to visit him.
This is Angela's virgin trip so on Mon. when we visited the preschool she decided she would like to sponsor a student like her best friend Amanda, so this made it the first time for her and him to meet. This was the first time I had met the father and he was so happy to have the help to get his children an education. Many of these parents did not have the opportunity to get an education but they understand how important it is for their children. We had a good visit and found out what the the most important needs for the family were before we were off to the next home. Food is always the most important and then this family need a repair on their mud brick home because of a recent earth quake that left a big crack in the wall.
Next was Jay's little girl who he met last yr. Two other children in this home are sponsored by friends of mine and so many improvements have been made with this collective effort. Electricity has been installed and a new bathroom with a flushing toilet has been built. Again this is the first time I met the father since these men are out trying to earn a living which in most cases means about $2-$5 dollars a day and they can't be at home when we are there. Jay brought gifts for each of the kids and the big hit was a tub of Legos. Between the kids and MF staff members LEGO building was happening while we visited with the mom and dad. It always warms my heart to see little Brenda Liticia peer up at Jay who is a teddy bear of a man.
They look so cute together.
We then were able to return to Amanda's family where Amanda and her family and friend had collected and donated clothing for every member of this large family including the grandparents. She had also made a photo album for them from her previous visit last yr. and she added two photos of her family. Photos are always a huge hit since they can't afford them and in some cases they don't even very often see themselves in a mirror. Amanda's parents sponsor the oldest boy and he was very exited to see pictures of his new sponsors. And the highlight was when Amanda was able to tell them she had raised the money to have their very leaky roof repaired. The mother was in tears and couldn't stop hugging Amanda.
By then we were all in tears.
Our last visit was to one of our poorer families, which in a country of such poverty is saying a lot. Sandy and her friend Kendal co-sponsored a girl in the EB preschool and now Sandy's daughter, Melissa, is sponsoring her sister. We walk through more corn fields than you can imagine to get to this families home. They live in a mud brick home and as he is able the father is making more mud bricks so he can eventually add another room.
There are about 5 kids that sleep in one bed and the parents and infant sleep in another. Food was given and gifts of jackets and sweaters were given to each family member. They were so pleased with this since it can get quite chilly up in EB at night.
After a long and tiring day we retuned to Pana for a rest before happy hour and dinner. W dined at Jose Penguinos for the tradition Pepion dish and Miguel, who is the owner, tells of the traditions of his people. Our friends Joy, Gladys, Kristie and Eleana joined us for dinner. It is always so enjoyable and humorous especially when everyone gets to try to make tortillas.
More than a couple hit the floor!! Amanda must have been practicing this past yr. because after dropping hers 4 times last yr she won the tortilla making contest this yr.
After a full day and a full tummy it was time for bed.
Then our first home visit was to Amanda"s student, Sonia, who is in preschool. It turns out that the mom is in Solola with another of her children getting their end of yr. school grades so we visit w/ the grandmother a bit, drop off the donations and will return after our other visits.
Next is Angela's little boy,who's name has left me right now. He is the brother of Norma, who is my friend Joy's sponsored student. He's a bit shy at first but then warms up to the whole idea of this strange woman who has come to visit him. 
This is Angela's virgin trip so on Mon. when we visited the preschool she decided she would like to sponsor a student like her best friend Amanda, so this made it the first time for her and him to meet. This was the first time I had met the father and he was so happy to have the help to get his children an education. Many of these parents did not have the opportunity to get an education but they understand how important it is for their children. We had a good visit and found out what the the most important needs for the family were before we were off to the next home. Food is always the most important and then this family need a repair on their mud brick home because of a recent earth quake that left a big crack in the wall.
Next was Jay's little girl who he met last yr. Two other children in this home are sponsored by friends of mine and so many improvements have been made with this collective effort. Electricity has been installed and a new bathroom with a flushing toilet has been built. Again this is the first time I met the father since these men are out trying to earn a living which in most cases means about $2-$5 dollars a day and they can't be at home when we are there. Jay brought gifts for each of the kids and the big hit was a tub of Legos. Between the kids and MF staff members LEGO building was happening while we visited with the mom and dad. It always warms my heart to see little Brenda Liticia peer up at Jay who is a teddy bear of a man.
They look so cute together. 
We then were able to return to Amanda's family where Amanda and her family and friend had collected and donated clothing for every member of this large family including the grandparents. She had also made a photo album for them from her previous visit last yr. and she added two photos of her family. Photos are always a huge hit since they can't afford them and in some cases they don't even very often see themselves in a mirror. Amanda's parents sponsor the oldest boy and he was very exited to see pictures of his new sponsors. And the highlight was when Amanda was able to tell them she had raised the money to have their very leaky roof repaired. The mother was in tears and couldn't stop hugging Amanda.
By then we were all in tears.
Our last visit was to one of our poorer families, which in a country of such poverty is saying a lot. Sandy and her friend Kendal co-sponsored a girl in the EB preschool and now Sandy's daughter, Melissa, is sponsoring her sister. We walk through more corn fields than you can imagine to get to this families home. They live in a mud brick home and as he is able the father is making more mud bricks so he can eventually add another room. 
There are about 5 kids that sleep in one bed and the parents and infant sleep in another. Food was given and gifts of jackets and sweaters were given to each family member. They were so pleased with this since it can get quite chilly up in EB at night.
After a long and tiring day we retuned to Pana for a rest before happy hour and dinner. W dined at Jose Penguinos for the tradition Pepion dish and Miguel, who is the owner, tells of the traditions of his people. Our friends Joy, Gladys, Kristie and Eleana joined us for dinner. It is always so enjoyable and humorous especially when everyone gets to try to make tortillas. 
More than a couple hit the floor!! Amanda must have been practicing this past yr. because after dropping hers 4 times last yr she won the tortilla making contest this yr.
After a full day and a full tummy it was time for bed.
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