The colegios (high schools) are taken by the students in protest to the recent education reform attempts by the government.  For most colegios it's been close to a month.

Wow, in just a few days I'll be completing my first year of service..it's kinda nerve-wrecking because it will lead to the official countdown.

August has been a very exciting month.  We started a new TEAM I course, 40 motivated elementary teachers from throughout the entire departamento (county). This time around, we sent invitations out to specific schools...the schools where the ENCAs perform their practicas (practices).  The communities range from nearby mid-cities to teenie-tiny aldeas (villages).   I am being more demanding with the course expectations and the results have been amazing! I want to aprovechar to the max given the great sacrifices they make in getting to class each week.  (Some travel over 1 hour on a "chicken bus" [retired school bus] each way.)

Conversation Comins after our lesson Greetings/Farewells

As you know, the TEAM I group graduated in July and is now the new TEAM II group.  There are 37 altogether.  They continue to grow, challenging me to incorporate new ideas in the lessons.  I recently had a mini-session on the Rick Morris clip chart and several of them are experimenting with the system.  I also shared the Above the Line behavior management philosophy and they are getting a positive response from their students.  Slowly they continue to mold their traditional ways into more positive and interactive teaching styles.  I'm looking forward to their next round of observations.  :)

Picture Story after our lesson on reviewing personal information questions

Victor, 1st grade teacher, showing off his homework  

The Youth Development program recently received new Trainees...15 soon-to-be volunteers.  The office asked for our collaboration in helping with training.  Heather and I facilitated a session on the education situation of the country.  Despite all the hardships, I think the trainees were left with hope for better times and ideas on possible projects.  Leslie and I facilitated a two-day TOT (Training-of-Trainers) on the TEAM program.  We started with an overview of the program, challenges/rewards, demo lessons, and basic lesson planning.  The Trainees were asked to teach a 50 minute class at the local elementary.  We finished the session with a program timeline and suggestions for an effective implementation.

Leslie leading a dynamica! 

Group of Trainees in their demo practica

In mid-August, I had a Trainee spend almost a week with me on her site-visit.  (If you remember, my site-visit took place in El Paraiso where I got dengue/malaria.)  Michelle helped out in my TEAM class and helped organize info sessions on the BECAS Semillas program at the ENCA. We kept busy all day but took the evenings to relax, cooking dinner and going for a walk to the central park most days.  She is a lot of fun and I'm glad we started a new friendship.

Michelle helping out with the TEAM 1 class..we're acting out the conversation model

 She is originally from San Francisco and has been trying to adapt to the new living situation.  One day she asked, "What was the greatest change in you during the first month of service?"  If I remember correctly, it was the fact I'd jump scared with every bug/fly/wasp/spider/ant/creature I'd see at the ENCA.  I was in complete disbelief the first few weeks of work.  We even had an episode of flying bats and wild horses running loose.  You tell me if I was overreacting.  Pues bueno, I got over that feeling quickly because when in doubt....in the words of another PCV....Honduras always wins!

A Honduran friend...yup, Honduras always wins!

Since our one-year evaluation meeting with the Program Director, I have been going to the CDI Thursday mornings to help the Tutors in lesson planning and classroom management.  This has been a very enjoyable experience.  Despite a lack in education, in some cases even a lack of teaching experience, they work hard to implement the new ideas.  I love hearing their success stories and watch them lose their fear of experimenting with the kids.  I plan to eventually step away from helping oversee them as I want Mary to take over in running the planning meetings.

Tutor showing off her name sticks:)

How cute are these!

I was invited last minute to help edit the volunteer newsletter.  After a long 3 1/2 days of hard work, check out the latest edition: Alli No Mas newsletter.  Yup, 33 pages my friends!

This past Friday, Mary and I volunteered for a medical brigade that was planned out when Anita came to visit.  It was a huge success!  Over 900 patients seen by over 50 doctors and nurses.  The brigade was organized by PLAN International.  We contributed with charlas as a part of the animacion (animation) team.  I led the first charla on hand washing....this included a cute song and demonstrations on the importance of using soap.  Mary took the lead on the self-esteem workshop including a dynamica and storytelling.  We received many compliments from the program staff. I'm very proud of our work together!

A little one showing off her clean hands after the Handwashing charla

Yup, we are celebrating our work with a little Starbucks!

A quick note on the population served in the medical brigade:  We ended up in the mountains of La Paz.  The people there are highly indigenous.  I felt as though we were in another country.  The sub-standard living conditions were obvious in their dress and person.  Despite their upbringing, the kids amazed us....actively participating in all the activities and willing to help out when possible.  (Check them out helping pick up trash!)  I love the warm fuzzy feeling one gets from working/interacting with these communities.

All I had to say was who ever picks up the most trash wins...and the count began!

Tonight we have our monthly Comite de Apoyo (Support Committee) at the CDI.  I'll be presenting the short video created to recruit personnel.  A friend, Pablo, was able to help out in putting the movie together.  His help saved me HOURS of work.  Plus, he did a WAY better job than I'd be able to create on my mini-laptop.

Bueno, the day continues..I was able to take advantage of the extra time to sit at the park, enjoy a capuchino, and catch you all up on the stories ;)