Celebrating Our Sponsors

Last Friday the children at Chamche spent the entire morning celebrating their sponsors. It could only be described as a fiesta. There were clowns, pinatas, games, and cake. The day was filled with laughter and fun. So to all you out there who sponsor a child through Impact Ministries, I hope you know that you are bringing joy to this place and bless these children in ways that they could never buy for themselves.

The principal spoke to them about what it is their sponsors do. They give a little bit of their hard earned money each month so that these children can go to school (None of these families could pay for the education their children are receiving). The sponsors pay for the meal the children eat each day at school (There was a dramatic change in the children once the meal program started up a month into the school year). And the children are just now receiving track outfits for PE (They were fitted a few weeks ago and will receive them as they are being made for all 1300 students). Why do sponsors do this? Why do they give their hard earned money to children in a far away country whom they may or may not have met? Because of the love of Jesus. Jesus loves us, and in return we love those around us. God gives us incredible gifts and provides for our needs, and in return we give to others who are in need.

These children can give nothing in return. All they can do is pray that God will bless their sponsors in return, knowing that heavenly blessings are worth far more than any gift in this material world. And so they do. These children pray for their sponsors on a regular basis. These children, out of necessity, know how to pray with sincerity, with all their heart. If you are a sponsor, I hope this encourages you and reminds you that you're not just sending money to an organization. You're sending blessings of food, clothing, and education to very precious children of God.

I have had the opportunity to also see children receiving a letter or small gift (such as stickers) from their sponsors. They beam from ear to ear. One house I visited, the only thing decorating the bare walls of the bedroom were 3 pictures of them with their sponsor when they came to visit on a short term missions trip. No posters from magazines, no frames of memorable moments with friends, no pictures of the family pet. Just their sponsors - who mean so much to them.

I want to encourage those of you who are sponsors to send a letter and a picture to your sponsor child. It'll take a few minutes of your time and will probably cost less than a dollar. But it will make their day (or week or month). For those of you who don't have a sponsor child and are financially able, I want you to consider blessing a child in this way. All the information is on the website: http://www.impactministries.ca/

I also want to thank all of you who gave me money so that I can be here for this year. Every time these children pray for their sponsors, I think of you and how much you've blessed me. This year so far is everything I imagined it to be. Thank you.

Children at Mocohan thanking God for the food He has provided.

Enjoying the buns and "atol" drink for recess snack.

Grade 5-7 boys eating tostadas for their morning meal at Chicoy.

Grade 4 girls enjoying their tostadas and "atol".

Students at Chamche watching a classmate swing at the pinata on the sponsor celebration day.

The stand up comedy clowns visiting for the sponsor celebration day.

     

Exams: All Part of Becoming a Teacher

This week students received their report cards for the first of 4 semesters. Last week they had exams. I've had many years experience studying for and writing exams, but now I'm on the other side. Finally a teacher, I get to experience the joy of creating, giving, and marking exams. On the one hand, I was looking forward to it, because this is a real opportunity to learn about assessment in a way that is not possible in a teaching practicum. On the other hand, I was dreading it. As exam week drew near, all I could think about was: 525 exams to mark! If each exam takes 1 minute to mark, that's almost 9 hours right there. But, knowing it was coming, I prepared myself and kept on top of things. I marked Monday's exams on Monday, Tuesday's exams on Tuesday etc, so that by the weekend all I had to do was mark the high school's exams. I thought I was doing ok until I realized I also had to calculate all their marks and fill out a spreadsheet for each class. Oh, and being the beginning teacher that I am, the test was too hard for the younger grades, so I had to figure out how to scale their marks. But by 5pm the following Tuesday, I had all the marks handed in to each school. Phew! I'm tired and I can sense a cold coming on, but I feel I managed ok.

There are things I thought I did well: I managed to create an exam that all students were able to finish in the time limit, it was just right for grades 6 and 7 (at least it wasn't too hard for them too), and I managed to get the exams to all the secretaries in time for them to photocopy them. I also thought to create a second version of the test (without the oral compenent) for those who were absent on exam day so the classroom teacher can administer it on a later day so they do not receive zero. I also know I am more confident as a teacher than I was a year ago.

There are things I will improve upon this next semester. Now that I have a better idea where each class, grade, and school is at, I can create different lessons and tests for grade 4-5, and 6-7, as well as differentiate between grades 8 and 9. I will also work at doing more assessment throughout the semester so the end of semester exam is not weighted so strong. I also have a better idea of how the school system works here and what the expectations are of teachers. One of the difficulties for me has been lack of communication. Being at 6 different schools with 5 different principals, things decided or shared on a day when I am not present do not always get communicated to me. So I am learning flexibility, patience, and forgiveness.  

One of the reasons I wanted to come to Guatemala this year was to get experience as a teacher. I am getting exactly what I asked for. Making mistakes isn't easy though, and the learning process is not always kind. But I am looking forward to being the teacher I've dreamed I'd become, although I realize that is not void of mistakes and learning either. Until then, I appreciate that the children still greet me with hugs and smiles. And every once in a while a student or teacher will thank me for teaching them so much English :)

Peanut Butter Victory - The Sequel

Most things get easier with a little practice. So I thought I'd try making peanut butter again. (See Jan. 16 for the first attempt). This time...success!!!! The difference? New blender, more oil, some honey for flavour, and persistence.

New blender for the Yellow House!

Mmmmmm. Peanut butter

Now you may ask, why bother making peanut butter again? One: I like peanut butter. Two: I like doing what I said I would do. I wasn't satisfied with the last attempt, so I made sure to follow through. Three: I had a better idea of how to do it, and got some advice from other people. So I took it as a challenge.

Moral of the story is: Don't give up. Be persistent. And don't be afraid to ask people for help or ideas.



The Olympics

Running, jumping, cheering, eating, laughing...and of course playing soccer sum up the Olympics of Colegio Vida which were March 10-11, 2011. The five elementary schools competed against each other in soccer, running (long and short races), long jump, and skipping rope. The high school competed amongst themselves, and will finish up this Monday. Here are some memories from the 2 days.

La Joya Stadium. We arrived and there were piles of dirt on the field. It took over an hour to finally have them all spread out so we could start.

All my students grades 4-7, plus the students from San Antonio, the teachers, and the KCS team.

San Antonio students running the torch around the field to begin on the second day.

Wilfido, the high school vice principal, and Eduardo, the principal, carrying the Guatemalan and school flags.

The Guatemalan flag, after singing the national anthem for almost 5 minutes.

I played on the Baja Verapaz female teachers' soccer team and we won! I scored during the game as well as in the shoot out!

Two girls teams in a shoot out.

The anouncer's stand with some profes.

Some teachers from Chicoy observing from the sidelines.

Students cheering from the stands.

Shoot out in the finals.

Doing the wave, cheering for their school.

100 meter dash

Crossing the finish line

Long jump (onto a gravel road covered in sawdust)

Some students receiving their medals

Profe Esvin pinning the medals

Getting first, second, and third place medals in different events.

First place team for boys soccer: Chicoy

First place team for girls soccer: Chijacorral

Students and teachers crowding around the vendors to get the best of the tostadas, jello, chocobananos, fruit and other yummy treats that were being sold throughout the morning.



Overall, 2 very fun sports days. A lot of preparation on the part of the teachers and staff went into making this a success. And after all the anticipation, now we go back to routine (and end of semester exams). But I am can say I had the chance to watch some very talented athletes. I had the chance to participate in the teachers' soccer game, and win! I had the chance to connect with my students outside of professional class time. This connection is really important considering how little time I spend with each student. And connecting is what it's all about.  

PS. I am very proud to say I heard many of my students speaking English outside of class time, to the team, to each other, and to me. Yay!