The following pictures were taken at the XQ Embroidery in DaLat City. More info to come when I return.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Last post for now...we're heading home!
The following pictures were taken at the XQ Embroidery in DaLat City. More info to come when I return.
Here are a few students at the Love School in DaLat City, located in the central highlands of Vietnam. This school is funded by the YMCA, and provides schooling to children who are denied entry into local school because they do not have residency. Fifth grade students attend classes in the morning so they can work in the afternoon and help support their families. Younger children attend in the afternoon.
Another classroom picture from the Love School in DaLat City. 
Kids...being kids! More pictures of beautiful smiles at the Love School. I get a lump in my throat just looking at the pictures again!
Sign above the Love School.
Another window picture taken en route to DaLat City.Still catching up on sending pictures!
Many days while working at the school in Ben Tre, we would hear dance music blaring from somewhere in the area. On the last day of working at the school, we discovered the music was coming from a homemade roller rink someone had built in their yard. The skates were old, the roller rink was small and uneven....but the music was happening and the kids were having a blast.
YMCA Vietnam and Greater Houston staff leading the kids in games and songs during the closing ceremony.
I had the honor of presenting Lexington's Maxwell Elementary School donation to the principal of the school in Ben Tre. The rose colored boxes in the background were the skills workbooks given to the students. These books were purchased by the monies raised by Maxwell Elementary School.
Once again, this is why we are here. All children are our future.Friday, March 26, 2010
On the road to DaLat City, in the central highlands of Vietnam. What a journey!
I will hold my tongue the next time I'm travelling on Nicholasville Road in Lexington.
Our bus driver is amazing. There would be no snow days with this gentleman.
Typical family transportation. People here wear the face masks to keep out the dust and pollution.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Yea! Picture Posting Again!
The Renovation Completion Ceremony
Just look at these beautiful faces. The three girls in the front provided song and dance performances during the ceremony. They've all stolen my heart. Just about everyday we would give the children a piece of U.S. candy. During the celebration, the little girl in the middle (who became my buddy) brought me two pieces of candy!
Loading up on the ferry. Not for the weak of heart!
Fresh seafood anyone? At the marketplace in Ben Tre.
My new friends in Ben Tre. The woman in the green suit is the lady I talked about previously who came up and linked arms with me and invited me to meet her family. They have all been so welcoming.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Good Afternoon from Nha Trang City!
We have the most amazing bus driver. The man must have nerves of steel.
Yet another hair raising drive over winding mountain roads, which at some points were reduced to dirt and from my window appeared to have us just feet from the side. The ride was so bumpy, I abandoned my attempts to write in my journal. So, maybe I'm ready to try The Beast at Kings Island?!
After about a four hour trip heading northeast from DaLat, we arrived in the coastal city of Nha Trang. As soon as we arrived, a few of us walked over to the beach and took in the ocean air of the South China Sea. The water is beautiful. A little later our YMCA Vietnam hosts brought us to Long Son Pagoda. The first temple was built here in 1886, then destroyed by a large storm. The current temple was built in 1900, and houses 40 monks. The temple was also heavily damaged during the Vietnam War. We climbed over 150 steps to the top statue of Buddha, where there was a fantastic view of Nha Trang city. Once again, I hope to post pictures once I can figure out what's happening with my camera! I'm not loving technology right now!
All for now. Will keep trying on the pictures.
Take care,
Cathy C.
We have the most amazing bus driver. The man must have nerves of steel.
Yet another hair raising drive over winding mountain roads, which at some points were reduced to dirt and from my window appeared to have us just feet from the side. The ride was so bumpy, I abandoned my attempts to write in my journal. So, maybe I'm ready to try The Beast at Kings Island?!
After about a four hour trip heading northeast from DaLat, we arrived in the coastal city of Nha Trang. As soon as we arrived, a few of us walked over to the beach and took in the ocean air of the South China Sea. The water is beautiful. A little later our YMCA Vietnam hosts brought us to Long Son Pagoda. The first temple was built here in 1886, then destroyed by a large storm. The current temple was built in 1900, and houses 40 monks. The temple was also heavily damaged during the Vietnam War. We climbed over 150 steps to the top statue of Buddha, where there was a fantastic view of Nha Trang city. Once again, I hope to post pictures once I can figure out what's happening with my camera! I'm not loving technology right now!
All for now. Will keep trying on the pictures.
Take care,
Cathy C.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Catching up on the last few days
Greetings from DaLat
We have a break between activities, so I'm going to try and catch up with the last few days activities.
As briefly mentioned in yesterday's blog, we had our school completion ceremony on Saturday.
I cannot tell you how deeply moved we all were to see ALL of the children assembled in the schoolyard cheering our arrival on Saturday morning. They were jumping up and down, arms in the air, shouting with joy. These kids stole my heart everyday when they would poke their faces in the classroom door and practice their hellos. Then, their giggles over our attempts to play games with them would provide the much needed revival to continue the work through the hot afternoons. And now...their faces filled with joy...cheering us on. Very, very touching, and so hard to leave behind.
The morning's ceremony included speeches by the teacher (who fed us so well!), the principal, the People's Committee of Mo Cay District Ben Tre Province Director of Education, and the Vietnam YMCA Executive Officer. Also during the ceremony, I was honored to represent our group and thank the people of Ben Tre and the YMCA Vietnam for making this partnership possible. Maxwell students, I also took this opportunity to tell the students, teachers and officials about your fantastic fundraising endeavor for the children of the Thanh Thoi B Commune. All were very thankful, and very moved by your generosity. Because of the money you earned, we were able to present study books to ALL of the children in the school, classroom supplies, as well as provide additional funds for the required school uniforms (many children cannot afford this requirement).
The pencils, erasers, pens and American lapel buttons which I purchased in the U.S. were to be presented to all the fifth graders, who are now your pen pals! The school had the fifth graders write letters, and they took a picture of each student. The letters need to be translated into English, which we should have done by the time I leave. If they are not all translated, I will talk with UKs International Student group and ask if they can help with these letters, and future letters to the students. Another principal talked to me about his school also participating in the pen pal program with Maxwell. I will work with them on further development when I get home. The plan is we will send our letters to the YMCA in Saigon, and they will translate and send them on to the schools in Ben Tre. Maxwell students....you now have many more classmates...in Vietnam!
I am so excited about this exchange between our Maxwell students and the students in Ben Tre, I wandered off the subject of our rennovation celebration!
Following the speeches, three of the YMCA delegates from the Houston area led the children in a few songs. The kids had a blast...ok, so did we! Smiles and laughter were shared by all. The teachers then presented the International Services Office of the Greater Houston YMCA with a framed placque in appreciation for their continued partnership with the Ben Tre area.
We closed the celebration with ANOTHER wonderful feast provided by the teachers. Folks, I have to tell you, it's going to be hard going back to my protein bar, banana, and diet drink office lunches. Everything we ate was so fresh....and I never new so many fruits existed! I plan to search for some of the fruits we ate on the internet when I get home so I can tell you more about the number of fruits grown in Vietnam.
Saturday night, our last night in Ben Tre, we walked about 15 minutes to a supermarket in search of some more familiar snacks to take on the road for our day long drive to Da Lat. Folks, I know we looked pretty comical traveling up and down the aisles in small packs and cheering each time we ran into items that looked familar. Who knew there could be so much excitement over a box of Ritz crackers??? Don't get me wrong, the food has been terrific, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to try so many different foods. But, as our homeland snacks began to run dry, the quest to replenish the comfort food stock became a mission! I know our baskets in the checkout line looked pretty crazy: M&Ms, Ritz Crackers, something similar to Pringles, and even MOON PIES!! Yes kids, we are eating MANY fruits and veggies!
Sunday we travelled all day to Da Lat, a city in the central highlands of Vietnam. It was a long journey, with some hair raising roads. I think I even let out a few gasps along the way. I'm having trouble uploading my pictures, but I will post some of the journey. Looking out my window, it looked as if we were just inches from going down the mountainside. Oh, and did I mention that some areas were simply dirt road? And that we have to get around workmen who were clearing rockslides? This was a white-knuckle trip! I think I even let out a few gasps. But along the way, I did see some beautiful countryside. A few items grown in the area: coffee; tea; carrots; rubber trees; strawberries; and onions.
Today is Monday, and this morning we went to visit the children and teachers at the YMCA Love School in Da Lat. Once again, I wish I could show you some pictures. The kids are so wonderful. This school, funded by the Vietnam YMCA, provides classes for some 40 students in grades 1st-5th. The students attending this school cannot attend the public schools because they are not residents (i.e. immigrants) of the area. If this program was not available through the YMCA, these children would NOT receive an education. This IS an amazing program. The children receive the same curriculum as provided in the area public schools. If they finish fifth grade, they will be accepted and subsidized through the area public secondary program. There is a fee for attending public schools in Vietnam, roughly $1.50 a month. While many do not find this cost a hardship, it is hard for many families to afford the required supplies and uniforms. The Love School director told us the 5th graders come to this program in the morning so they can work in the afternoons and help support their families. The younger children attend in the afternoon. Maxwell students, we were also able to provide $200 US from your fundraising to this school for much needed supplies. The Love School Director and the Da Lat City Education representative thanked the Maxwell students for their generosity. While the government does not run this school, they do provide the building for the Y's use. Again, I will post pictures when able.
OK folks, I have to move on for now. Hopefully I can figure out the picture posting issue soon.
Until later,
Salut!
We have a break between activities, so I'm going to try and catch up with the last few days activities.
As briefly mentioned in yesterday's blog, we had our school completion ceremony on Saturday.
I cannot tell you how deeply moved we all were to see ALL of the children assembled in the schoolyard cheering our arrival on Saturday morning. They were jumping up and down, arms in the air, shouting with joy. These kids stole my heart everyday when they would poke their faces in the classroom door and practice their hellos. Then, their giggles over our attempts to play games with them would provide the much needed revival to continue the work through the hot afternoons. And now...their faces filled with joy...cheering us on. Very, very touching, and so hard to leave behind.
The morning's ceremony included speeches by the teacher (who fed us so well!), the principal, the People's Committee of Mo Cay District Ben Tre Province Director of Education, and the Vietnam YMCA Executive Officer. Also during the ceremony, I was honored to represent our group and thank the people of Ben Tre and the YMCA Vietnam for making this partnership possible. Maxwell students, I also took this opportunity to tell the students, teachers and officials about your fantastic fundraising endeavor for the children of the Thanh Thoi B Commune. All were very thankful, and very moved by your generosity. Because of the money you earned, we were able to present study books to ALL of the children in the school, classroom supplies, as well as provide additional funds for the required school uniforms (many children cannot afford this requirement).
The pencils, erasers, pens and American lapel buttons which I purchased in the U.S. were to be presented to all the fifth graders, who are now your pen pals! The school had the fifth graders write letters, and they took a picture of each student. The letters need to be translated into English, which we should have done by the time I leave. If they are not all translated, I will talk with UKs International Student group and ask if they can help with these letters, and future letters to the students. Another principal talked to me about his school also participating in the pen pal program with Maxwell. I will work with them on further development when I get home. The plan is we will send our letters to the YMCA in Saigon, and they will translate and send them on to the schools in Ben Tre. Maxwell students....you now have many more classmates...in Vietnam!
I am so excited about this exchange between our Maxwell students and the students in Ben Tre, I wandered off the subject of our rennovation celebration!
Following the speeches, three of the YMCA delegates from the Houston area led the children in a few songs. The kids had a blast...ok, so did we! Smiles and laughter were shared by all. The teachers then presented the International Services Office of the Greater Houston YMCA with a framed placque in appreciation for their continued partnership with the Ben Tre area.
We closed the celebration with ANOTHER wonderful feast provided by the teachers. Folks, I have to tell you, it's going to be hard going back to my protein bar, banana, and diet drink office lunches. Everything we ate was so fresh....and I never new so many fruits existed! I plan to search for some of the fruits we ate on the internet when I get home so I can tell you more about the number of fruits grown in Vietnam.
Saturday night, our last night in Ben Tre, we walked about 15 minutes to a supermarket in search of some more familiar snacks to take on the road for our day long drive to Da Lat. Folks, I know we looked pretty comical traveling up and down the aisles in small packs and cheering each time we ran into items that looked familar. Who knew there could be so much excitement over a box of Ritz crackers??? Don't get me wrong, the food has been terrific, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to try so many different foods. But, as our homeland snacks began to run dry, the quest to replenish the comfort food stock became a mission! I know our baskets in the checkout line looked pretty crazy: M&Ms, Ritz Crackers, something similar to Pringles, and even MOON PIES!! Yes kids, we are eating MANY fruits and veggies!
Sunday we travelled all day to Da Lat, a city in the central highlands of Vietnam. It was a long journey, with some hair raising roads. I think I even let out a few gasps along the way. I'm having trouble uploading my pictures, but I will post some of the journey. Looking out my window, it looked as if we were just inches from going down the mountainside. Oh, and did I mention that some areas were simply dirt road? And that we have to get around workmen who were clearing rockslides? This was a white-knuckle trip! I think I even let out a few gasps. But along the way, I did see some beautiful countryside. A few items grown in the area: coffee; tea; carrots; rubber trees; strawberries; and onions.
Today is Monday, and this morning we went to visit the children and teachers at the YMCA Love School in Da Lat. Once again, I wish I could show you some pictures. The kids are so wonderful. This school, funded by the Vietnam YMCA, provides classes for some 40 students in grades 1st-5th. The students attending this school cannot attend the public schools because they are not residents (i.e. immigrants) of the area. If this program was not available through the YMCA, these children would NOT receive an education. This IS an amazing program. The children receive the same curriculum as provided in the area public schools. If they finish fifth grade, they will be accepted and subsidized through the area public secondary program. There is a fee for attending public schools in Vietnam, roughly $1.50 a month. While many do not find this cost a hardship, it is hard for many families to afford the required supplies and uniforms. The Love School director told us the 5th graders come to this program in the morning so they can work in the afternoons and help support their families. The younger children attend in the afternoon. Maxwell students, we were also able to provide $200 US from your fundraising to this school for much needed supplies. The Love School Director and the Da Lat City Education representative thanked the Maxwell students for their generosity. While the government does not run this school, they do provide the building for the Y's use. Again, I will post pictures when able.
OK folks, I have to move on for now. Hopefully I can figure out the picture posting issue soon.
Until later,
Salut!
Computer Access!
Hi folks...
We arrived in DaLat tonight, and they have a computer in the lobby!
We're moving on to dinner soon, so I'm quickly going to add a few notes on our activities over the past few days.
Friday-
We all worked nonstop to complete the school renovations in time for Saturday's completion ceremony. We jumped from one job to another...grout...grout clean up....paint trim...paint doors....clean up paint on tiles. We were on a mission. Once again, the teachers made us a wonderful meal, with pork and vegetables, chicken and vegetables, soup, potatoes (the way we Americans like them-fried!), rice and fruit. I think I'm finally getting a handle on chop sticks!
After lunch, as had become our usual routine, we played with the children in the schoolyard. My favorite part of the day. The kids hooted at our attempts to follow the Vietnamese instructions provided by one of our Y Vietnam hosts.
We stopped working around 4:30 on Friday, and all took pictures of the finished product-six classrooms renovated in a week. It was pretty amazing to stand back and see how much we had accomplished. Never underestimate the power of Y folk on a mission!
Another side story...
We boarded the ferry on Saturday full of excitement for the completion ceremony, which would include Ben Tre dignitaries, and Thanh Thoi B Commune teachers, students and parents. (I'll write more about the ceremony on my next post.)
As usual, the ferry was packed with people, cars, trucks, mopeds, motorcycles, bikes, our bus, and most likely a few animals. I sat down next to a Vietnamese woman, and she shyly smiled at me. After exchanging a few more smiles, I slid right next to her, and we both began to laugh. Upon docking, my new friend and I parted ways in the mass scramble to disembark. I found myself surrounded by mopeds, trucks and cars on the ferry, and trying to figure out my exit strategy. I felt someone take my hand, looked over and realized it was the woman I had just met. She took my hand and pulled me through the sea of humanity. Once off the boat we walked arm in arm until we both had to go our separate ways. Reminded again how much we all need each other.
Going to sign off for now. I'll post new pictures soon.
Take care,
Cathy C.
PS...could someone please send my a diet pepsi...withdrawal symptoms have set in!
We arrived in DaLat tonight, and they have a computer in the lobby!
We're moving on to dinner soon, so I'm quickly going to add a few notes on our activities over the past few days.
Friday-
We all worked nonstop to complete the school renovations in time for Saturday's completion ceremony. We jumped from one job to another...grout...grout clean up....paint trim...paint doors....clean up paint on tiles. We were on a mission. Once again, the teachers made us a wonderful meal, with pork and vegetables, chicken and vegetables, soup, potatoes (the way we Americans like them-fried!), rice and fruit. I think I'm finally getting a handle on chop sticks!
After lunch, as had become our usual routine, we played with the children in the schoolyard. My favorite part of the day. The kids hooted at our attempts to follow the Vietnamese instructions provided by one of our Y Vietnam hosts.
We stopped working around 4:30 on Friday, and all took pictures of the finished product-six classrooms renovated in a week. It was pretty amazing to stand back and see how much we had accomplished. Never underestimate the power of Y folk on a mission!
Another side story...
We boarded the ferry on Saturday full of excitement for the completion ceremony, which would include Ben Tre dignitaries, and Thanh Thoi B Commune teachers, students and parents. (I'll write more about the ceremony on my next post.)
As usual, the ferry was packed with people, cars, trucks, mopeds, motorcycles, bikes, our bus, and most likely a few animals. I sat down next to a Vietnamese woman, and she shyly smiled at me. After exchanging a few more smiles, I slid right next to her, and we both began to laugh. Upon docking, my new friend and I parted ways in the mass scramble to disembark. I found myself surrounded by mopeds, trucks and cars on the ferry, and trying to figure out my exit strategy. I felt someone take my hand, looked over and realized it was the woman I had just met. She took my hand and pulled me through the sea of humanity. Once off the boat we walked arm in arm until we both had to go our separate ways. Reminded again how much we all need each other.
Going to sign off for now. I'll post new pictures soon.
Take care,
Cathy C.
PS...could someone please send my a diet pepsi...withdrawal symptoms have set in!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
More from Vietnam
Hello Everyone!
Yea, we found another internet cafe and it seems like blogging is a go!
I want to share a few stories from the past couple of days:
We usually rest at the school grounds for about thirty minutes following our lunch at the teacher's house. On Tuesday, I offered to stay behind and help clean the dishes. However, one of our Vietnamese YMCA hosts said not to worry and I should head back and rest. The teacher immediately started to show me to her room so I could rest at her home. The people here have been absolutely welcoming.
Another story....
Again, after a lunch at the teacher's home, I started to walk back to the school with a couple of the YMCA Vietnamese hosts. An elderly woman smiled at me and placed her arm in mine. Neither of us could speak the other's language, but our smiles said it all. We just walked arm-in-arm down the road to the school, and the woman just patted my arm. One of the Y host's said the woman wanted me to meet her family. It was on the way to the school, so we stopped by to visit. We all just smiled at one another...and it spoke volumes. What a powerful moment.
Update on the school work: We've been working long and hard finishing the classrooms. Three were completed by Wednesday morning, and we will have completed three more by Friday afternoon. We paint....we grout....we clean grout...we varnish furniture...we paint some more. While we were out in the country, all is far from quiet. On the contrary! The sounds I hear while we work are constant...roosters, motorcycles, mopeds, dogs, and every once in a while, the children singing in their classrooms. Saturday morning we'll have the official opening ceremony. I know the teachers and children are excited!
Kids at Maxwell, I am going to try and post some pictures of the school and of the kids playing in the school yard. And, like many of you, I believe their most favorite time of the day is when they get to leave the schoolyard, and run across the road to the little store that sells SNACKS! The children wear uniforms to school. You may notice that some of the children do not wear a red neck scarf. Only children in first through fifth grade wear the neck scarf. I also have some exciting news to share with Maxwell's fifth grade classes...the fifth grade students at the school we're working on are working on letters for me to bring back to all of you! The teachers and students are very thankful for all the fundraising you kids did, and are very much looking forward to exchanging letters with you!
That's all for now folks. I'm going to try and post a few more pictures.
Hope all is well with everyone....take care,
Cathy C.
Yea, we found another internet cafe and it seems like blogging is a go!
I want to share a few stories from the past couple of days:
We usually rest at the school grounds for about thirty minutes following our lunch at the teacher's house. On Tuesday, I offered to stay behind and help clean the dishes. However, one of our Vietnamese YMCA hosts said not to worry and I should head back and rest. The teacher immediately started to show me to her room so I could rest at her home. The people here have been absolutely welcoming.
Another story....
Again, after a lunch at the teacher's home, I started to walk back to the school with a couple of the YMCA Vietnamese hosts. An elderly woman smiled at me and placed her arm in mine. Neither of us could speak the other's language, but our smiles said it all. We just walked arm-in-arm down the road to the school, and the woman just patted my arm. One of the Y host's said the woman wanted me to meet her family. It was on the way to the school, so we stopped by to visit. We all just smiled at one another...and it spoke volumes. What a powerful moment.
Update on the school work: We've been working long and hard finishing the classrooms. Three were completed by Wednesday morning, and we will have completed three more by Friday afternoon. We paint....we grout....we clean grout...we varnish furniture...we paint some more. While we were out in the country, all is far from quiet. On the contrary! The sounds I hear while we work are constant...roosters, motorcycles, mopeds, dogs, and every once in a while, the children singing in their classrooms. Saturday morning we'll have the official opening ceremony. I know the teachers and children are excited!
Kids at Maxwell, I am going to try and post some pictures of the school and of the kids playing in the school yard. And, like many of you, I believe their most favorite time of the day is when they get to leave the schoolyard, and run across the road to the little store that sells SNACKS! The children wear uniforms to school. You may notice that some of the children do not wear a red neck scarf. Only children in first through fifth grade wear the neck scarf. I also have some exciting news to share with Maxwell's fifth grade classes...the fifth grade students at the school we're working on are working on letters for me to bring back to all of you! The teachers and students are very thankful for all the fundraising you kids did, and are very much looking forward to exchanging letters with you!
That's all for now folks. I'm going to try and post a few more pictures.
Hope all is well with everyone....take care,
Cathy C.
Monday, March 15, 2010
We Started Today!
Hey folks....
What an amazing, gratifying, and ok, tiring day! But tired in a good way. We travelled via bus, then by ferry, then by bus, and walked in a short ways to our school site. Rather than finishing a new school, we are repainting, and doing repairs for a school built by the International Services of the YMCA in 2002. The children of the Ben Tre area attend the school in shifts...roughly eighty in the morning and afternoon programs. During the four hours students attend, they receive instruction in reading, writing and math. It's pretty amazing to see the students arrive for class. Bicycle and bicycle pull in to the dirt grounds surrounding the school. I couldn't help but think, kids are kids no matter where they live. The children arrive with their backpacks, and visit with one another until the teacher hits the drum calling students to class. While the kids were in class, we took over three of the classrooms for repair. Split into teams, we brushed away the dirt on walls, door levors and window slats, then set about painting...no easy task task when the ceilings are 12 feet! We climbed up on scaffolding holding coconut boards for us to stand on while painting. Definitely not the time to decide you're scared of heights.
In appreciation for our work this week, we ate lunch at one of the teacher's homes. The teachers whose classrooms we're working on prepared an absolute feast, including soup, fried egg, pork dishes and watermelon.
Following our work today, we were treated to corn steamed in the husk. Corn never tasted so good!
Since it's getting late....I do want to pass along a few statistics regarding the area where we're working:
In the area where we are working, the average yearly income for a family is $600.
70% of the children will progress to high school.
80% of those who progress to high school will graduate.
50% will go to university.
That's all for now folks. I'll check back in tomorrow or the day after. Take care...Cathy
What an amazing, gratifying, and ok, tiring day! But tired in a good way. We travelled via bus, then by ferry, then by bus, and walked in a short ways to our school site. Rather than finishing a new school, we are repainting, and doing repairs for a school built by the International Services of the YMCA in 2002. The children of the Ben Tre area attend the school in shifts...roughly eighty in the morning and afternoon programs. During the four hours students attend, they receive instruction in reading, writing and math. It's pretty amazing to see the students arrive for class. Bicycle and bicycle pull in to the dirt grounds surrounding the school. I couldn't help but think, kids are kids no matter where they live. The children arrive with their backpacks, and visit with one another until the teacher hits the drum calling students to class. While the kids were in class, we took over three of the classrooms for repair. Split into teams, we brushed away the dirt on walls, door levors and window slats, then set about painting...no easy task task when the ceilings are 12 feet! We climbed up on scaffolding holding coconut boards for us to stand on while painting. Definitely not the time to decide you're scared of heights.
In appreciation for our work this week, we ate lunch at one of the teacher's homes. The teachers whose classrooms we're working on prepared an absolute feast, including soup, fried egg, pork dishes and watermelon.
Following our work today, we were treated to corn steamed in the husk. Corn never tasted so good!
Since it's getting late....I do want to pass along a few statistics regarding the area where we're working:
In the area where we are working, the average yearly income for a family is $600.
70% of the children will progress to high school.
80% of those who progress to high school will graduate.
50% will go to university.
That's all for now folks. I'll check back in tomorrow or the day after. Take care...Cathy
Friday, March 12, 2010
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)