Muy Feliz

My Spanish teacher Flavia teaches history and geography at a public secondario school in a very poor barrio in Masaya.  Today we were able to visit her school and meet its Director and students.  In the morning the school serves the primary grades from 7 a.m. until noon and in the afternoon the secondario students attend until 5:00 p.m.  There are 930 students in attendance.

The school is slightly larger than El Portal Elementary School and houses approximately 45 students per class.  It is very fortunate to have a small computer lab (very old computers) donated by the cellular company Movistar.  There is no cafeteria for the children, just a small snack bar.  The bathroom consists of an outhouse with a cement wash basin located outside of the classroom.

The students were delightful and all had big smiles on their faces during our visit.  The littles ones were vying for our attention so that we would take their pictures.  They were so excited to have us visit.  The majority of students were dressed in their blue and white uniforms (this represents the colors of the Nicaraguan flag) and had impeccable manners when we entered the class.

Twenty percent of the primary students do not have the appropriate uniform, however, they are still allowed to attend school even though it is against the law.  Secondario students are not allowed to enter the school campus without an appropriate uniform.

Many of you responded to Maren's request to purchase uniforms for students unable to afford one.  Today we were able to provide new uniforms and shoes for six boys and two girls.

We took a public bus from the school with the children (Flavia left us to find a missing student) and found our way to the Central Parque.  From there we went to the uniform store where each child received a pair of pants or skirt, undershirt, shirt and socks.  We then headed to the Mercado Municipal to purchase shoes.  The shoes are made in Masaya from leather.  The proprietor held a lighter up to the shoes to prove they were real leather.  The boys were ecstatic with their new shoes and kept looking them over and touching them. The children's shoes were falling apart and I am sure it was the first new pair of shoes they had ever owned.  After two hours of shopping the children were put into cabs and sent back to the school.

It was a wonderful day and the children were beyond grateful.  Flavia spent her morning off while ill with a migraine to help these children.  It was a good day for all.

We have a small amount of money left and will be purchasing markers for the teachers. Teachers in Nicaragua provide all of their own materials, books, pens, markers and pencils. There is a great need for these items as many teachers cannot afford to purchase supplies for their classrooms.

Thank you!

The School Principal, Flavia and Students (one was missing)