Friday, May 01, 2009

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day from Belize (a government holiday) This has definitely been a day of labor for our team working as they build the puzzle that is the system, as well as working with the children and mother's here in Yalbac. The best news of the day is--we now have water in one tank and the water system is almost finished!

Chuck and I have been building a relationship with the community which has been fun and rewarding. The small village of Yalbac has 17 families, a church, a two room school house with 12 students 1 teacher and the principal. Family Grouping is at it's core. Everyone is a cousin or sibling most come from large families. The children care for each other and treat each other with warmth and affection. The older children have been quite helpful, not only with their siblings, but also helping me with projects. It is fun to once again be back in the classroom watching the younger children following directions and learning from the older children as they color, cut and paste. One of the older boys helped by reading one our new books (from the Del. Valley Reading Council) to the whole group in Spanish. The crafts and projects have varied from creating play dough germs, coloring a creation picture, learning new songs-even singing in rounds. Yesterday we spent two hours together and today four hours plus. We have been enjoying the time together.

All the individuals we have met have been very generous and welcoming. It has been an honor to work with the Mother's developing "the each one, teach one" concept as they learn about the system and the responsibilities they will have to keep it running. They have dreamed of the day that their village would have clean pure water.

All of God's children deserve clean water.
Anne Hansen

2 comments:

Hogie Hansen said...

Congratulations on a successful May Day. It was great to learn about "each one, teach one" happening in the school and to see the water flow. You have our prayers as you celebrate on Sunday.
Hogie

Deb Hansen said...

It sounds like and interesting fun experience and soon to be successful as well. Good Work!! Deb