Friday, February 3, 2012

February 2, 2012


The internet at Tumul K'in yesterday was spotty and slow and it was difficult to update the blog. But we are in Punta Gorda today, a larger city in southeastern coast of Belize. Not only is there internet, but there is wifi. We are spoiled today!

Yesterday was our final day at Tumul K'in. We woke up full of plans. We had things! to! do! We had tasks! to! accomplish! We are trying to open ourselves to Belizean culture and the Belizean concept of time (things will get done when they get done and there is no need to create stress where none needs to exist) but clearly we are still Americans, and we did not want to leave without being able to check certain things off of our various lists.

Not only did it rain all day, but it poured rain all day. All day. And because it had also rained all week, things at Tumul K'in were extremely muddy and working conditions were difficult. So we adjusted our expectations and got to work, doing what we could. Amazingly, it "all" got done. Funny what happens, when expectations are adjusted.

Belize has many lessons to teach.




















Yesterday afternoon, a few of us went to Blue Creek Village school, which is a primary school that serves approximately 90 children from Blue Creek Village.



We shared letters that were written to them by the students at Somerset Elementary School in Minnesota. The letters contained information about themselves and questions about the students in Belize. The children at Blue Creek were very interested and spent time writing letters back to the students in Minnesota.




We conducted our now familiar video interviews with the students and staff at Blue Creek and, once again, were amazed at the joy of the students and the passion of the teachers.









Much of Blue Creek Village school then gathered into one classroom to watch the Somerset video we brought to share with them. Very exciting!

Just as our work was finishing, a bell was rung at the school and the children quickly packed their bags and ran out of the school...literally ran! The full day of rain had caused Blue Creek to suddenly rise up over the bridge, making it impossible cross. The children were running to get home before they became stranded at the school. Most did, but some were left behind, separated from their families. And our team...well, we, too, were on the wrong side of Blue Creek...










To be continued...

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