Here at the finca we live according to the four pillars of spirituality, service, simplicity, and community. These pillars take many forms in our daily lives, for example while we have running water, it is not heated. This translates to cold showers. I will not lie; these showers take some time to get used to, especially during rainy season in the winter time. In the true transformative spirit of the finca, these showers have recently taken on a whole new nature.
As some of you have noticed, summertime is just around the corner. This means that Honduras is currently hot. Not hot in the sense that you sweat a bit walking to the car, but HOT everywhere accept the one foot radius around your fan (if the electricity is working). There is no escaping it, and it is only going to get hotter as the summer goes on. When I was little we would go to 7-11 and get slurpees on really hot days to cool off in the summer time, sadly that option does not exist here in rural Honduras. In rural Honduras the summer slurpee takes on a different form…the cold shower. This previously somewhat undesirable element of my life is now the highlight of my nighttime routine. This cold shower makes one feel refreshed and clean in a way nothing else can. So today I give a toast the cold shower, the new slurpee of my life.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Humility, Joy, and Hope: Holy Week at the Finca
Over the past three years I have celebrated Easter in three different churches and three different countries. In 2009 I was in Rome at the Vatican and 2010 I was at the Basilica on campus at Notre Dame. This year I celebrated this most blessed of holidays here in Trujillo, Honduras. I can say with great honesty that all three experiences were truly beautiful in their own unique sense. All three places were filled with beautiful services and equally beautiful people taking part in them. Here in Honduras I discovered two elements of holy week which I had never encountered before, a true solidarity between the people and the passion and a raw excitement for the resurrection.
The first element, the true solidarity of the people and the passion, was present in the faces and raw emotions of the many participants in the events of the week. On Thursday morning, the tias (house aunts) led a special rosary (Rosario de la Aurora) here on the farm at 3 AM. We all wandered out onto the soccer field and with only the light of the stars and a few candles prayed this special rosary. The pure devotion and faith present in the faces and voices of our tias as they prayed is something I will never forget. That afternoon our Franciscan Sisters did not only get bread to recreate the last supper, they found grapes and church wine and set up a small recreation of the table at the last supper in our chapel. They would have nothing less. The next day the youth group in town acted out every station of the cross under a beating sun.
At first I was taken aback by the amount of true devotion and solidarity the people demonstrated with the passion. Then I realized that while all humans carry their own cross at some point, our neighbors and children get very little relief from their crosses at any point. In a literal sense, they carry wood to start fires to cook; but this does not begin to describe their troubles. Many of our neighbors struggle finding enough food on a daily basis. Our children at the farm live with the knowledge every day that for some reason their own family cannot care for them. Back in the states struggles are paired with resources of all forms to aid people. Here in Honduras struggles are paired with more struggles. This was a truly humbling realization.
The second element which transformed my humbling realization into an inspirational joy in my heart was the raw excitement for the resurrection. When we arrived at the packed Cathedral in Trujillo for the Easter vigil there was a tangible energy in the air. As soon as the procession arrived and the Bishop sat down, it was announced that Jesus was resurrected. The people literally started a victory chant of sorts in excitement. The cantor yelled “Jesus is risen”, and the entire comgregation replied “Jesus really is risen.” The facial expressions and pure joy in the faces of so many there warmed my heart. They not only came to church, but literally yelled and danced in excitement for the resurrection. When we returned to the finca our nuns and teens along with a few volunteers started a bonfire and sang into the night in ecstasy for the resurrection. There faces continued to glow with joy through our adorable easter egg hunt the next afternoon.
Easter is a celebration of many things, especially hope. This easter I learned that while this hope is inspirational on many levels, it is also infectious and transformative. The raw excitement and joy of the kids, nuns, and everyone present infected my heart with joy and taught me that Easter is not about a symbolic message of hope, but rather the grand celebration of the real entrance of hope into our troubled world.
The first element, the true solidarity of the people and the passion, was present in the faces and raw emotions of the many participants in the events of the week. On Thursday morning, the tias (house aunts) led a special rosary (Rosario de la Aurora) here on the farm at 3 AM. We all wandered out onto the soccer field and with only the light of the stars and a few candles prayed this special rosary. The pure devotion and faith present in the faces and voices of our tias as they prayed is something I will never forget. That afternoon our Franciscan Sisters did not only get bread to recreate the last supper, they found grapes and church wine and set up a small recreation of the table at the last supper in our chapel. They would have nothing less. The next day the youth group in town acted out every station of the cross under a beating sun.
At first I was taken aback by the amount of true devotion and solidarity the people demonstrated with the passion. Then I realized that while all humans carry their own cross at some point, our neighbors and children get very little relief from their crosses at any point. In a literal sense, they carry wood to start fires to cook; but this does not begin to describe their troubles. Many of our neighbors struggle finding enough food on a daily basis. Our children at the farm live with the knowledge every day that for some reason their own family cannot care for them. Back in the states struggles are paired with resources of all forms to aid people. Here in Honduras struggles are paired with more struggles. This was a truly humbling realization.
The second element which transformed my humbling realization into an inspirational joy in my heart was the raw excitement for the resurrection. When we arrived at the packed Cathedral in Trujillo for the Easter vigil there was a tangible energy in the air. As soon as the procession arrived and the Bishop sat down, it was announced that Jesus was resurrected. The people literally started a victory chant of sorts in excitement. The cantor yelled “Jesus is risen”, and the entire comgregation replied “Jesus really is risen.” The facial expressions and pure joy in the faces of so many there warmed my heart. They not only came to church, but literally yelled and danced in excitement for the resurrection. When we returned to the finca our nuns and teens along with a few volunteers started a bonfire and sang into the night in ecstasy for the resurrection. There faces continued to glow with joy through our adorable easter egg hunt the next afternoon.
Easter is a celebration of many things, especially hope. This easter I learned that while this hope is inspirational on many levels, it is also infectious and transformative. The raw excitement and joy of the kids, nuns, and everyone present infected my heart with joy and taught me that Easter is not about a symbolic message of hope, but rather the grand celebration of the real entrance of hope into our troubled world.
Happy Anniversary Garifuna Community!
On the weekend of April 9 and 10 we at the finca had the pleasure of celebrating a very special anniversary here in Honduras. On this weekend the garifuna population, native blacks of Honduras, celebrated the 214th anniversary of the presence of their vibrant and beautiful culture here in Honduras. Most of this population lives along the coast line, and one of the oldest establishments is down the road in Santa Fe. The church there kindly invited us to a special bilingual (Spanish and Garifuna) mass on Saturday night followed by a cultural dinner and celebration. We also were invited to a second bilingual mass on Sunday morning.
On Saturday night everyone at the finca piled into our Land Cruisers and headed down the road to Santa Fe. When we arrived the church seemed somewhat empty and somber, as we expected a large celebration. The when mass started the priest welcomed the visitors, and proceeded to offer the mass for a young woman who had been murdered in town that very morning. You could immediately identify the raw grief and sadness that was weighing down the hearts of all in the church from this small town.
The beauty came about in the service that followed. In their homilies the co celebrating priests, Father Felipe from Trujillo and the garifuna priest from Santa Fe, spoke with great grace about how the tragic events of the morning paired with the anniversary were very symbolic of the garifuna population. While this beautiful culture has always faced great adversity, it has also always proven resilient and marched on against every challenge for over 200 years. The priests then challenged the people of Santa Fe to continue to challenge their people to rise to a new level, one where the beauties of their culture overcome the tragedies. After the mass two representatives from their cultural group invited us to learn some garifuna songs and apologized that the party had been canceled.
When we returned the next morning for mass, it was as if Santa Fe had arisen from the dust over night. The church was packed, the women’s choir was ready to sing and dance, and the drums were already setting the beat. The service was truly beautiful; every voice that spoke was inspired and overflowing with pride and their rich heritage. We sang and danced in the aisles from the first hymn to till the last verse of the final song. Then afterward the entire finca, over 70 people, was invited to an impromptu lunch, using all the food from the party the night before. We enjoyed our delicious food, and then headed out.
The Garifuna community of Santa Fe truly inspired us all in their resilience, pride, and great joy for life and the liberty to live that life as they so desire. I feel blessed for haven been able to take part in their great anniversary, and look forward to hopefully visiting them many more times in the future.
On Saturday night everyone at the finca piled into our Land Cruisers and headed down the road to Santa Fe. When we arrived the church seemed somewhat empty and somber, as we expected a large celebration. The when mass started the priest welcomed the visitors, and proceeded to offer the mass for a young woman who had been murdered in town that very morning. You could immediately identify the raw grief and sadness that was weighing down the hearts of all in the church from this small town.
The beauty came about in the service that followed. In their homilies the co celebrating priests, Father Felipe from Trujillo and the garifuna priest from Santa Fe, spoke with great grace about how the tragic events of the morning paired with the anniversary were very symbolic of the garifuna population. While this beautiful culture has always faced great adversity, it has also always proven resilient and marched on against every challenge for over 200 years. The priests then challenged the people of Santa Fe to continue to challenge their people to rise to a new level, one where the beauties of their culture overcome the tragedies. After the mass two representatives from their cultural group invited us to learn some garifuna songs and apologized that the party had been canceled.
When we returned the next morning for mass, it was as if Santa Fe had arisen from the dust over night. The church was packed, the women’s choir was ready to sing and dance, and the drums were already setting the beat. The service was truly beautiful; every voice that spoke was inspired and overflowing with pride and their rich heritage. We sang and danced in the aisles from the first hymn to till the last verse of the final song. Then afterward the entire finca, over 70 people, was invited to an impromptu lunch, using all the food from the party the night before. We enjoyed our delicious food, and then headed out.
The Garifuna community of Santa Fe truly inspired us all in their resilience, pride, and great joy for life and the liberty to live that life as they so desire. I feel blessed for haven been able to take part in their great anniversary, and look forward to hopefully visiting them many more times in the future.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
The Finca School of Ballet
As most of you know, I have been obsessed with ballet since about age 7. Before I left several of my friends asked me, what are you going to do without ballet, my answer, I brought it with me! Since November I have been teaching our girls ballet, and practicing myself in one of middle school classrooms. Part of the floor is even wooden, so if you focus really hard it almost looks like a ballet satudio. During the past few weeks its been fun to notice what the girls are starting to improve at and remember.
House 1, or our little girls, age 5 through 9, have class Thursday from 3 to 345. They are big fans of their bunny hops, princess fairy walks, and skips. This past week one of our social workers asked Cati what she learned in ballet this week, she told her how to drink water. She then showed her how when you sit in the butterfly leg stretch you imagine a cup is between your feet and then drink from it to stretch. Cati, only 5 and already knows the importance of staying hydrated!
House 2, our middle girls, age 9 through 12, have class on Thursday from 4 to 5. They are learning how to spot, or turn repeatedly without getting dizzy. This has been quite entertaining to watch to say the least. The only problem is now that half of them can do it during free dance all they want to do is turns, and the other half who cannot spot get really dizzy because they just want to turn as well!
House 6, our teenage girls ages 13 through 15, only has three girls in class, but their comprehension is incredible. They are learning the terms in french without a problem. They also are very into choreagraphing with is great fun to watch and help them extend their imagination.
Lastly, I stay after on Thursday for an hour, and some Saturdays after house 6 class to have my own ballet class. My teacher at home, Miss Virginia, took good care of me and send me down with tons of music and several classes from the summer on dvd to keep me going. After 16 years of dancing with her I still here her voice in my head while I teach myself classes, both remebering paterns she used and hearing her tell me to straighten my left knee! Every week I look forward to Thursday knowing that I will have three straight hours of ballet, one just with me. It is literally my favorite afternoon of the week. The others vols can tell when I come back to dinner at the house on my ballet high smiling ear to ear and sitting up super straight.
So yes, ballet lives on in my life, and is spreading to many smiling faces here at the finca!
House 1, or our little girls, age 5 through 9, have class Thursday from 3 to 345. They are big fans of their bunny hops, princess fairy walks, and skips. This past week one of our social workers asked Cati what she learned in ballet this week, she told her how to drink water. She then showed her how when you sit in the butterfly leg stretch you imagine a cup is between your feet and then drink from it to stretch. Cati, only 5 and already knows the importance of staying hydrated!
House 2, our middle girls, age 9 through 12, have class on Thursday from 4 to 5. They are learning how to spot, or turn repeatedly without getting dizzy. This has been quite entertaining to watch to say the least. The only problem is now that half of them can do it during free dance all they want to do is turns, and the other half who cannot spot get really dizzy because they just want to turn as well!
House 6, our teenage girls ages 13 through 15, only has three girls in class, but their comprehension is incredible. They are learning the terms in french without a problem. They also are very into choreagraphing with is great fun to watch and help them extend their imagination.
Lastly, I stay after on Thursday for an hour, and some Saturdays after house 6 class to have my own ballet class. My teacher at home, Miss Virginia, took good care of me and send me down with tons of music and several classes from the summer on dvd to keep me going. After 16 years of dancing with her I still here her voice in my head while I teach myself classes, both remebering paterns she used and hearing her tell me to straighten my left knee! Every week I look forward to Thursday knowing that I will have three straight hours of ballet, one just with me. It is literally my favorite afternoon of the week. The others vols can tell when I come back to dinner at the house on my ballet high smiling ear to ear and sitting up super straight.
So yes, ballet lives on in my life, and is spreading to many smiling faces here at the finca!
A Little R and R in Honduras
Everybody, especially finca vols, need a little rest and relaxation. This past 6 weeks I took some literal r and r on our Retreat for the vols and a quick weekend get away to Roatan with fellow vol Deirdre.
Mid February I traveled to Pico Bonito with the rest of the vols to go on a weekend retreat focused on growing as a community. We stayed at the beautiful home of Pepe, a friend of the Finca. The natural beauty of the rivers and waterfalls there were truly breathtaking. And the house, with its large living room, and patio full of super comfy chairs granted us all a welcome retreat from the finca. After several chats, some mountain runs, and some crazy jumping off the high rocks into the river, all were grateful for the calm time together and the beautiful atmosphere.
Two weeks later I traveled with Deirdre to pick up her family for their visit to the farm on the island of Roatan. Roatan is a beautiful island off the northeast coast of Honduras full of beautiful beaches and very nice hotels. Deirdre and I traveled to Ceiba on Friday after school, and then took the first ferry out Saturday morning. Once we arrived it was if we had entered another universe. The impeccably clean white sand beaches and crystal clear water provided a mini paradise of sorts. Deirdre and I both spent the entire day sitting on the beach, enjoying the super clear water and also treating ourselves to a ginormous brownie sundae. Then around 5 pm we headed up to our room, took quick showers and welcomed her family. It was really great to see Deirdre with her mom, dad, brother, and grandma, all just so happy to be around one another. We all enjoyed drinks and a shrimp dinner on the beach and then meet up with Francesca, another vol with family visiting, to close out the night. The next morning we all headed back to the farm, her family for the first time, and Deirdre and I grateful for our short stint in paradise!
Mid February I traveled to Pico Bonito with the rest of the vols to go on a weekend retreat focused on growing as a community. We stayed at the beautiful home of Pepe, a friend of the Finca. The natural beauty of the rivers and waterfalls there were truly breathtaking. And the house, with its large living room, and patio full of super comfy chairs granted us all a welcome retreat from the finca. After several chats, some mountain runs, and some crazy jumping off the high rocks into the river, all were grateful for the calm time together and the beautiful atmosphere.
Two weeks later I traveled with Deirdre to pick up her family for their visit to the farm on the island of Roatan. Roatan is a beautiful island off the northeast coast of Honduras full of beautiful beaches and very nice hotels. Deirdre and I traveled to Ceiba on Friday after school, and then took the first ferry out Saturday morning. Once we arrived it was if we had entered another universe. The impeccably clean white sand beaches and crystal clear water provided a mini paradise of sorts. Deirdre and I both spent the entire day sitting on the beach, enjoying the super clear water and also treating ourselves to a ginormous brownie sundae. Then around 5 pm we headed up to our room, took quick showers and welcomed her family. It was really great to see Deirdre with her mom, dad, brother, and grandma, all just so happy to be around one another. We all enjoyed drinks and a shrimp dinner on the beach and then meet up with Francesca, another vol with family visiting, to close out the night. The next morning we all headed back to the farm, her family for the first time, and Deirdre and I grateful for our short stint in paradise!
1st Quarter Highlights
Many of you all have probably spent some portion of the past two weekends either watching or checking scores from the NCAA tournament. In a field that was 68, now only 4 remain, including the great Cinderella story that is VCU, fellow natives of the great state of Virginia. And so despite my apparent inability to give prompt updates during these past six weeks about my life here at the finca, I decided to select my own final four of sorts. I could tell you all many more than 68 stories from my past six weeks of work in the school, but the its not selection Sunday, its Final Four selection Sunday…so here you are, my top four moments form the past six weeks of work at the school:
1. Jonatan’s Big Day
Over winter break I tutored in what we call “escuelita”. While this literally means little school, in reality it is a five week tutoring program for kids who need remedial help or are transitioning into our school from another. I had the great pleasure of working with 7 great kids, one being the son of the finca’s security guard Jose, Jonatan. Jonatan along with his siblings were transferring in from a far less stable school in the local area, and were being assessed to see what grade they should enter for the school year. Apart from being one of the most well behaved and grateful kids I will probably ever meet, Jonatan was a true work horse. Everyday he came and worked for the full hour and a half, always waiting for the next assignment. His goal was to enter into third grade, but after a less than stellar result on his entrance exam he was placed in second.
This did not deter him. He came to after school study sessions every day for the first two weeks, working harder than any 12 year old you have ever met. Without any prompting from myself or direction, both of his teachers soon approached direction and informed them that they believed he not only could handle third grade, but that he belonged there. So the following Monday morning right before Morning assembly, Profa Dania, director of the school, called Jonatan into the office. Here he found, myself, his two teachers from 2nd grade, his new third grade teacher, along with sub director Tami. He little face quickly became frightened. Profa Dania told him not to worry. She then told him how impressed his teachers were with his work, and informed him that if he promised to continue work hard he could move up to third grade, this morning. His normally calm face simply lit up, he did not speak, but simply nodded. Profa Dania smiled back, and told him to go ahead and line up with third grade before school started. He walked out triumphantly to find his younger brother outside the door, he simply held up three fingers. They grabbed their sister and ran over to the security gate near the school, where his Dad just happened to be working that morning. As he raised his arms in triumph as he ran I realized I would never forget this moment. After a big hug from his dad, the bell rang and he ran back and lined up with the third graders for the first time. He then turned around and flashed me the most beautiful smile. My eyes teared up a little with shear pride and joy for him. That afternoon he showed up to study hour once again ready to work, this time with third grade homework.
2. Rony’s 1st Book
Rony is an 11 year old boy who came to live at the farm in January 2010. Before his time at the farm he never received stable and consistent education in any form. After a year of hard work and transition this past year, he now is in second grade. I work with him after school twice a week to help him continue to learn what others learned since they were five in a more expedited fashion.
One Monday at the end of February he finished all his work super fast so we decided to read Where the Wild Things Are with the time left. Normally Rony read about 75%, and I helped him with the rest. But during this fateful Monday he simply continued page after page reading all by himself out loud in his adorable 11 year old voice. After he finished,I walked him back to his house. I congratulated him saying, “Rony, this is the first time you’ve read a book by yourself with me, congratulations.” He then responded, “This is the first time I’ve ever read a book alone. Before I couldn’t read, but you taught me, so now I can.” He then smiled and walked along like nothing. I of course stopped him and told him that reading your first book was a huge accomplishment and that he should be super excited. His face finally started to let on to the great euphoria going on inside. When we got to his house he went up to his tia and told her his big accomplishment. He proceeded to tell everyone else he saw for the entire afternoon. I will probably forget the majority of my lesson plans as time goes on in my life past the finca, but I will never forget Rony’s epic reading of his first book.
3. Magdalena: Star Student of the Week
While I have many students, the one I spend the most time with is my beloved Magdalena. While here disabilities are undiagnosed her unique spirit and infectious smile are known by all here at the finca. Last year she struggled greatly with school, despite several amazing people working with her. This year has proven different. She hasn’t gotten below a 95% on a single test. She has only missed two days of school. She even has a smile most mornings when she arrives. Last year she was noticed by those outside her classroom mostly for disciplinary things, as she frequented the office often. This year she has turned over a new leaf.
Each week in first and second grade a student is selected as the star of the week.This student behaved well, did well in all their work, and was a general rock star. The winner gets a prize and their name on the board as star of the week. During the fifth week of school, Nely, the 1st grade teacher, told me at recess that after school I should ask Magdalena who the star of the week was and smiled. I was so excited for her, it took all my effort not to break the news to her right away. Then after school as Magdalena walked past the library with a huge smile and colorful pencil with a special Dr Seuss eraser in hand, I asked her is she was star of the week, she didn’t even need words, she simply nodded her head over and over. I told her congratulations, and then she ran off to her house, excited to share her big news.
4. Jessica: Master of Order of Operations
Jessica is one of our neighbor students at our school. She is a tall and fun loving 13 year old sixth grade girl who loves dancing with her friends and swimming at the beach. She has continually struggled in school, especially with the more advanced math concepts that are introduced in 5th and 6th grade. I work with her three times a week, and love every minute of it. She is truly the most patient learner you will ever meet, always willing to try again. She also has no fear of asking questions and letting me know she does not understand. At the end of February she had her first math test. We reviewed for two weeks to help her get ready. While we reviewed everything, we spent most of our time on order of operations. It was not until the day before the test that she finally understood the concept fully. Her face was so excited. The following morning I wished her the best of luck on her test. That afternoon, Amanda, her math teacher, let me know that she just barely missed passing the test, but unlike everyone else in the class she got every single thing correct on the page with order of operations. Not a single error. For Jessica and me that page mattered much more than the rest of the test. It showed that it may take longer, but she can do it.
While school continues to challenge me day in and day out, and many of my students struggle to understand basics of math and reading, it is moments like these that keep me inspired and give me the energy to wake up every morning and teach our amazing kids.
1. Jonatan’s Big Day
Over winter break I tutored in what we call “escuelita”. While this literally means little school, in reality it is a five week tutoring program for kids who need remedial help or are transitioning into our school from another. I had the great pleasure of working with 7 great kids, one being the son of the finca’s security guard Jose, Jonatan. Jonatan along with his siblings were transferring in from a far less stable school in the local area, and were being assessed to see what grade they should enter for the school year. Apart from being one of the most well behaved and grateful kids I will probably ever meet, Jonatan was a true work horse. Everyday he came and worked for the full hour and a half, always waiting for the next assignment. His goal was to enter into third grade, but after a less than stellar result on his entrance exam he was placed in second.
This did not deter him. He came to after school study sessions every day for the first two weeks, working harder than any 12 year old you have ever met. Without any prompting from myself or direction, both of his teachers soon approached direction and informed them that they believed he not only could handle third grade, but that he belonged there. So the following Monday morning right before Morning assembly, Profa Dania, director of the school, called Jonatan into the office. Here he found, myself, his two teachers from 2nd grade, his new third grade teacher, along with sub director Tami. He little face quickly became frightened. Profa Dania told him not to worry. She then told him how impressed his teachers were with his work, and informed him that if he promised to continue work hard he could move up to third grade, this morning. His normally calm face simply lit up, he did not speak, but simply nodded. Profa Dania smiled back, and told him to go ahead and line up with third grade before school started. He walked out triumphantly to find his younger brother outside the door, he simply held up three fingers. They grabbed their sister and ran over to the security gate near the school, where his Dad just happened to be working that morning. As he raised his arms in triumph as he ran I realized I would never forget this moment. After a big hug from his dad, the bell rang and he ran back and lined up with the third graders for the first time. He then turned around and flashed me the most beautiful smile. My eyes teared up a little with shear pride and joy for him. That afternoon he showed up to study hour once again ready to work, this time with third grade homework.
2. Rony’s 1st Book
Rony is an 11 year old boy who came to live at the farm in January 2010. Before his time at the farm he never received stable and consistent education in any form. After a year of hard work and transition this past year, he now is in second grade. I work with him after school twice a week to help him continue to learn what others learned since they were five in a more expedited fashion.
One Monday at the end of February he finished all his work super fast so we decided to read Where the Wild Things Are with the time left. Normally Rony read about 75%, and I helped him with the rest. But during this fateful Monday he simply continued page after page reading all by himself out loud in his adorable 11 year old voice. After he finished,I walked him back to his house. I congratulated him saying, “Rony, this is the first time you’ve read a book by yourself with me, congratulations.” He then responded, “This is the first time I’ve ever read a book alone. Before I couldn’t read, but you taught me, so now I can.” He then smiled and walked along like nothing. I of course stopped him and told him that reading your first book was a huge accomplishment and that he should be super excited. His face finally started to let on to the great euphoria going on inside. When we got to his house he went up to his tia and told her his big accomplishment. He proceeded to tell everyone else he saw for the entire afternoon. I will probably forget the majority of my lesson plans as time goes on in my life past the finca, but I will never forget Rony’s epic reading of his first book.
3. Magdalena: Star Student of the Week
While I have many students, the one I spend the most time with is my beloved Magdalena. While here disabilities are undiagnosed her unique spirit and infectious smile are known by all here at the finca. Last year she struggled greatly with school, despite several amazing people working with her. This year has proven different. She hasn’t gotten below a 95% on a single test. She has only missed two days of school. She even has a smile most mornings when she arrives. Last year she was noticed by those outside her classroom mostly for disciplinary things, as she frequented the office often. This year she has turned over a new leaf.
Each week in first and second grade a student is selected as the star of the week.This student behaved well, did well in all their work, and was a general rock star. The winner gets a prize and their name on the board as star of the week. During the fifth week of school, Nely, the 1st grade teacher, told me at recess that after school I should ask Magdalena who the star of the week was and smiled. I was so excited for her, it took all my effort not to break the news to her right away. Then after school as Magdalena walked past the library with a huge smile and colorful pencil with a special Dr Seuss eraser in hand, I asked her is she was star of the week, she didn’t even need words, she simply nodded her head over and over. I told her congratulations, and then she ran off to her house, excited to share her big news.
4. Jessica: Master of Order of Operations
Jessica is one of our neighbor students at our school. She is a tall and fun loving 13 year old sixth grade girl who loves dancing with her friends and swimming at the beach. She has continually struggled in school, especially with the more advanced math concepts that are introduced in 5th and 6th grade. I work with her three times a week, and love every minute of it. She is truly the most patient learner you will ever meet, always willing to try again. She also has no fear of asking questions and letting me know she does not understand. At the end of February she had her first math test. We reviewed for two weeks to help her get ready. While we reviewed everything, we spent most of our time on order of operations. It was not until the day before the test that she finally understood the concept fully. Her face was so excited. The following morning I wished her the best of luck on her test. That afternoon, Amanda, her math teacher, let me know that she just barely missed passing the test, but unlike everyone else in the class she got every single thing correct on the page with order of operations. Not a single error. For Jessica and me that page mattered much more than the rest of the test. It showed that it may take longer, but she can do it.
While school continues to challenge me day in and day out, and many of my students struggle to understand basics of math and reading, it is moments like these that keep me inspired and give me the energy to wake up every morning and teach our amazing kids.
The Final Four of the Finca
So every two weeks we, the vols, send an update email to our parents letting them know how finca life is treating us. I though you might all enjoy the most recent update which I wrote in the spirit of March Madness
Dear Padres,
As my own family knows very well I believe March to be a truly wonderful month. First of all, my mom, sister, and college roommate were all born during it. Second, it used to be the first month back at Notre Dame when the temperature became slightly bearable again. And third, its March Madness, a time of year when sports addicts like myself get to revel in Cinderella stories and bracketology at its best. So in the spirit of the tournament, here is an update on your children, presented in what I would like to call The Finca’s Final 4.
The first team in the running is team Hurst. This team of Rachel, Jacob, Jonah, Isaac, and Ruben is chock full of potential. The leadership Jacob and Rachel have demonstrated in their first 6 months as volunteer coordinator and accountant, combined with the unmatched energy of their three boys is a true force to be reckoned with.
The second team in the running is team Social Work and Psychology. Co Captains Sheena and Georleny run a tight and impressive ship, while Lily, Francesca, and Scarleth provide amazing depth. These five ladies prove clutch in crisis situations, a skill that is most needed in the big dance.
The third team in the running is Team Teachers. This group lead by the one and only jefa, Tami is a true force to be reckoned with. Our big guys Nils and Keenan prove calm and collected in the toughest of situations, even when faced with the combination of confused middle schoolers and scientific conversions and algebra. In the back court we have the flawless team of Kate, Nely, and Amanda. These primary school teachers can shoot, pass, and assist like no one’s business, after teaching three subjects every day to two different grades, the court looks like a playground to them. Then you cannot forget the amazing bench support of Betsy and Mary Kate. These two health and special ed teachers provide the intangible support needed for many of our students, and prove clutch in close games.
The fourth team in the running is Team Vols. This group is an eclectic bunch, but don’t let that distract you, they are a force to be reckoned with. First off, we have our starting guards Alisha and Erin, the city skills they have picked up while diligently looking after our teens in La Ceiba are unmatched by any other team. Meanwhile Ted and Phil’s recent garden project has converted them into a cohesive unit in the paint which will be hard to break apart. Small forward Deirdre proves a pivotal player in that she not only rocks the 3 ball, she also makes sure all our kids, and her teammates’ health needs are met as team nurse as well. Lastly, we have Kristina, whose work in spiritual life and community outreach lends her unmatched local Honduran skills in the game.
Predictions...while I am pulling for the teachers, I am also slightly biased. Wishing you all the best back in the states!
Best,
Mary Kate
Dear Padres,
As my own family knows very well I believe March to be a truly wonderful month. First of all, my mom, sister, and college roommate were all born during it. Second, it used to be the first month back at Notre Dame when the temperature became slightly bearable again. And third, its March Madness, a time of year when sports addicts like myself get to revel in Cinderella stories and bracketology at its best. So in the spirit of the tournament, here is an update on your children, presented in what I would like to call The Finca’s Final 4.
The first team in the running is team Hurst. This team of Rachel, Jacob, Jonah, Isaac, and Ruben is chock full of potential. The leadership Jacob and Rachel have demonstrated in their first 6 months as volunteer coordinator and accountant, combined with the unmatched energy of their three boys is a true force to be reckoned with.
The second team in the running is team Social Work and Psychology. Co Captains Sheena and Georleny run a tight and impressive ship, while Lily, Francesca, and Scarleth provide amazing depth. These five ladies prove clutch in crisis situations, a skill that is most needed in the big dance.
The third team in the running is Team Teachers. This group lead by the one and only jefa, Tami is a true force to be reckoned with. Our big guys Nils and Keenan prove calm and collected in the toughest of situations, even when faced with the combination of confused middle schoolers and scientific conversions and algebra. In the back court we have the flawless team of Kate, Nely, and Amanda. These primary school teachers can shoot, pass, and assist like no one’s business, after teaching three subjects every day to two different grades, the court looks like a playground to them. Then you cannot forget the amazing bench support of Betsy and Mary Kate. These two health and special ed teachers provide the intangible support needed for many of our students, and prove clutch in close games.
The fourth team in the running is Team Vols. This group is an eclectic bunch, but don’t let that distract you, they are a force to be reckoned with. First off, we have our starting guards Alisha and Erin, the city skills they have picked up while diligently looking after our teens in La Ceiba are unmatched by any other team. Meanwhile Ted and Phil’s recent garden project has converted them into a cohesive unit in the paint which will be hard to break apart. Small forward Deirdre proves a pivotal player in that she not only rocks the 3 ball, she also makes sure all our kids, and her teammates’ health needs are met as team nurse as well. Lastly, we have Kristina, whose work in spiritual life and community outreach lends her unmatched local Honduran skills in the game.
Predictions...while I am pulling for the teachers, I am also slightly biased. Wishing you all the best back in the states!
Best,
Mary Kate
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