Maya Mopan Visit

The other night I wne to go visit my Maya Mopan family. I was a little nervous as the visit was without warning. I wondered how awkward it would be, but at least I had a picture to give Miss Santa of the both of us in Belize City. While walking towards the house, one of the neighbor boys that always played cards with us said, "Chepe is waiting for you." (Chepe is what they call Jose', Jr.) How funny! Then, he turned around on his bike to go tell everyone I was coming. I went into the house, gave a round of hugs, and handed Miss Santa the pictures. I told the kids I came to play cards so we did. While playing, Shirley ran across the street to give me a hug, so great to see her, too. She kept going back into the house, coming out to ask me questions for Miss Santa. "How long are you staying?" "Are you staying the night?" "Why aren't you staying the night?" "When are you coming back?" After playing cards for awhile I was fed some eggs, cheese, and of course, corn tortillas. Plus, I had a coke! I got a K'ekchi lesson, being quized with vocabulary by little Jose' and Carolina was telling Miss Santa I lived in Santa Teresa, which has no electricity and that I bathed in the river. I was asked what I had been eating and tried my hardest to use my K'ekchi. "Cua, arin, aros, kenk, chilan, cuiy, wech, tul, papai, ramen, calaloo, mulb..." (corn tortilla, flour tortilla, rice, beans, chicken, pork, armadillo, plantain, papaya, Ramen noodles, calaloo, eggs..." They also asked about my phone number because they had tried calling. Awww. How sweet. I told them I didn't have cell phone service and wrote down the community phone number. I guess this really surprised me. I almost didn't go becasue I thought it would be uncomfortable, thinking I would wait for more time to pass. But they were already wanting to see how I was doing. The connections was deeper than I realized. When I had to leave I gave another round of hugs, stating I would be back in a month. Carolina even walked me back to the resource center where I was meeting Greg and Kevina to catch a cab back to Belmopan. What a beautiful night!

Why I love Santa Teresa

I've realized I can have this as all my titles, so from now on, it's a given.

I would tell you this precious little boy's name, but when I went to visit he was only three days old and didn't have one yet. I was so happy to go meet him and even got to hold him, but absolutely loved the reason we went. Miss Louisa told me about our neighbor who had just had a baby so she was planning on making some tortillas to give to their family, "that is what we do here." I'm lucky to live in a village where people take care of each other.

Standard 6

These are the Standard 6 students along with their teacher, Mr. Ical. Standard 6 is equivalent to grade 8 and the final class of primary school. At the end of the school year, these students will take their PSE (Primary School Exam) to see if they can go on to secondary school. Different schools require different scores. So this test is very important. Most of the students must write support letters as there is a fee to take the exam. So much pressure at such a young age. The teachers are offering extra classes (I might help with the math!) after school each day to help the students prepare. You may wonder what happens to those who cannot afford continuing their education or to those who fail the PSE, but keep in mind, children are only required to be in school up to age 14, so some are finished on the day of their 15th birthday. This contributes to the fact that about 40% of students finish primary school here in Belize. I hope to see all these Standard 6 students at Santa Teresa Roman Catholic School taking the PSE in June and going on to secondary school!

The 12 reasons my placement is the best for me*

*to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas

The first reason my placement is the best for me
Santa Teresa is a great place to be.

The second reason my placement is the best for me
Ma sa aachol
Santa Teresa is a great place to be.

The third reason my placement is the best for me
Miss Liz paved the way
Ma sa aachol
Santa Teresa is a great place to be.

4. Working with TFABB
5. PIGS ON THE LOOSE
6. Safe roads to run on
7. Library in progress
8. Living with the chairman
9. Welcoming churches
10. School staff is willing
11. Health center's open
12. Bathing in the river

Now some descriptions
1. In general, just being in Santa Teresa makes me happy.
2. It's a Ke'kchi community, so my chances of continued learning are high.
3. The volunteer before me was well respected.
4. Teachers For A Better Belize is a start up program with the goal of helping schools in the Toledo district. This is the first year, so Santa Teresa will be a model program. I'm excited to work with TFABB.
5. There are pigs everywhere! And you all know how much I like pigs.
6. I have motivation to wake up and put on my running shoes. Not only are the roads free of vehicles, I love seeing the sun rise through the palm trees.
7. The library is full of books already. Now we're working on a check-out system. Some of the students made the pocket cards and I started gluing them in the books and recording the books in a registery. During break, all my volleyball girls came looking for me and I gave them glue sticks to help- 15 minutes of "Can I have a book please, Miss?"
8. The Mas family is a very wonderful. I will soon dedicate a whole post to them with pictures!
9. I've been to the Baptist church twice and the pastor gives quite a good message in K'ekchi then translates in English.
10. The staff at the school actually likes when I visit their classes and have given me some ideas of where to start.
11. There's a new clinic staffed by a doctor from Cuba every Monday through Friday.
12. No explanation needed. :)

Two Truths and a Lie

I live in the jungle.
I live in a thatch house.
I live in a village of 200.

I go to bed at 8pm.
I sleep in a hammock.
I wake up at 5am.

I have tasted gibut.
I have tasted armadillo.
I have tasted iguana.

I finished reading "Searching for God Knows What."
I finished reading "Lovely Bones."
I finished reading "I Was Told There'd Be Cake."

Oh how I love Santa Teresa. Funny how it was the village I easily was wishing for someone else, but now that I'm here I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I know my site is the best! The first person I met from my village at the counterpart workshop was my host father, the village chairman. He told me about his family and how he will teach me to catch a green iguana and take me fishing in his handmade canoe. (He is a licensed tour guide, so if you come visit me...) Next walked in the principal of the school and I couldn't help but notice he had a smile on his face at all times. He told me about his family, the village, and the school which made me excited to leave the workshop and get home. Yes, Santa Teresa became my home away from home in no time. Already am I greeted with, "Hello Miss Amy," by everyone who passes. My host family speaks in K'ekchi, translating only when I'm not understanding something important. I'm far from the conversation level, but there is hope. After giving me a Bible in Ke'kchi, my host father said, "in a month's time you will be Ke'kchi." Since I was already planning on reading from Genesis to Revelation. I can now do it in two languages!
Now, back to my little game. I'm pretty sure you've guessed correctly. I tried not to make it too hard. Yes, I live in the jungle of Belize. The scenery is beautiful. Yes, I live in a thatch house. No, Santa Teresa has a population of about 520, but I'm pretty sure there are only 10 last names. Yes, I go to bed at 8pm. No, I do not sleep in a hammock, but I do take afternoon naps in one. Yes, I wake up at 5am. Yes, I have tasted gibnut. I like it better in stew than smoked. Yes, I have tasted armadillo. It is very tasty, but beware of the scales. No, I have not tasted iguana, but I'm sure I will. Yes, I have finished "Searching for God Knows What." No, I have not finishe "Lovely Bones," but I'm on my way. Yes, I have finished "I Was Told There'd Be Cake." I really enjoy reading and have the time, so if you have any suggestions send them my way... literally. Hehe! :D Or just let me know and I can look for them. Loves and Hugs!