Lenin's new Classroom!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Well... greetings from Honduras! What a great trip this has been once again. I cannot believe it is already Thursday evening. I was visiting with my friend Franklin last night and we were talking about how fast the time goes when I am here….I as telling him, yes, every time! He asked if it was that way when I was in other countries…I don’t think that it is the same.

Anyhow, all is well here. I arrived with no delays and the benefit of an upgrade to first class from Houston to San Pedro Sula. That is a treat. Here’s hoping for the same luck on the way home! Mishelle was at the airport upon my arrival and we did a little shopping in San Pedro Sula. She purchased many toys and such for a store they have in the mall. Also I found a couple of toys for CasAyuda as well as a couple of things to take home for my “OT bag of tricks!”

The drive to Comayagua is always nice. We pass this beautiful lake, Lago Yojoa. It is one of my favorite sites here….we also stopped for fresh pineapple – ahhh…a great snack for the drive. The weather has been just great – HOT though, and I am finally adjusting. Tonight Mishelle’s mom took us to dinner and the restaurant had the air conditioning on….I was SO COLD! We had a brief rainstorm – short lived, and only isolated to our restaurant. On the way home, the roads were dry…it was pretty funny. I was just in the midst of instant messaging some friends via Facebook and POOF the power went out! The students in the school across the street started screaming, it was very funny. It is still off, so I thought it a good opportunity to write.

So, the UPDATE on the school….Lenin’s classroom got changed. At first I thought it was going to be disastrous! I was so worried when Mishelle told me…However, on Monday I was able to see first hand and wow, really nice! It works well – there is more space, the kids have greater distance between the two groups being taught, and there is more air flowing throughout the room. This school year (began in February and goes until December) there are 19 kids in the class (vs. 22 last year). A couple did not return to CasAyuda; several moved to another grade; and there are several new kids.

HIGHLIGHTS from this week so far: The sensory-motor activities in the morning and during the day are working well! A new assistant has started (new to the classroom), replacing one assistant last year that was not so helpful. There is less (still quite a bit) disruptive behavior in the class and many (most) of the kids I can see improvements! One of my favorite highlights…yesterday…one of the girls in the class (Michell), who I have seen each year that I have been here (pretty sure she has autism) said my name! AND she gave me a hug. She is talking more this year (preivous years she hardly spoke!) – and she is following the routine, eating her snack, and is learning how to wash her shirt (a laundry lesson). It is just great!

Other good things….Mishelle and her mom are well….I have gotten to visit with Mishelle’s Aunt Elena, visited her Uncle Carlos who works/runs a nursery/farm that grows orchids…also has mango trees, papaya trees, guava trees, chives, ad some other Asian fruits that I have to look for the translations…, Sunday mass at the cathedral; and I have seen my friend Franklin (and tomorrow will see his sister Wendy). Saturday we will head back to San Pedro Sula as Mishelle and I both fly back to the US on Sunday morning...Wish me luck finishing up...will try and write again...

Hasta luego!

Okay, well, good morning from Houston....the last time I wrote a post and then wasn't able to get online...so, there it has been sitting on my desktop....so, since I am on my way to Honduras....returning to finish up my OTD Capstone (graduation is around the corner!), I will post what I wrote last August to get you back in the swing...Lots going on between now and May! Thanks for following along and hopefully I can update you while on this trip! Talk to you soon....joni

August 20, 2011

Buenos dias, mis amigos! Well, it has been a week and I am just getting to write some things down! It has been a great week with good observations in the classroom at CasAyuda for my project. By Wednesday I was done with my information gathering and was able to start helping with the kids in the classroom. Lenin’s classroom has 21 children, two assistants and himself. The children range from 3 years to teenager and varying disabilities – Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, deafness, and assorted other learning disabilities (no specific diagnosis). Things have changed for the better since March and it is very apparent that he has incorporated things from the in-service day, which has been a benefit to the overall functioning of his classroom. It is so good to see.

On the flip side, Mishelle and her mom are great. I am very fortunate to be staying at their house, which happens to be just around the corner from CasAyuda. So our days start at 6 a.m., with about a two mile walk around the boulevard, followed by breakfast, then to work between 7:30 and 8:00….usually closer to 8:00. Lenin’s class gets out at 11:00 and the kids are usually all picked up by 11:20 or so…then I help clean the classroom and on most days have lunch at CasAyuda. Mishelle had told Daphne, the cook that I had been working on eating better, etc., so each day for my snack they give me fresh fruit, and check in with me “if I can eat” what they are making for lunch. Very nice of them!

After lunch Mishelle usually rests for a bit (I am in siesta country) but let me tell you, with this heat, I know why! Let’s just say I can tell I haven’t been in Honduras in August for the past couple of years! It is Sooooooo HOT! The other night when I was going to bed (which by the way is often by 10p.m. – if you can believe that!) it was 92˚ in my room! I have managed to balance the sun/sunscreen and happy to report no sunburns! Anyhow, then we run errands (which is no quick task here in Honduras) and go to the mall where she has a kiosk. I have sometimes been lucky with the wireless at the mall, but again yesterday I could NOT figure out how to get it to connect – maybe my Mac is just fussy! At night it varies, it is usually low-key. We have worked on translating my interview questions for Lenin, and we are also doing the same two-mile walk in the evenings – really trying to keep moving and not put on a bunch of weight while I am here! We can now both feel it with all the walking, which I take as a good sign.

I have been able to see Wendy (and her 3 kids), Valesca (and her two kids), Franklin, (and his son) – all of which I have known for 20 years now, since my first trip here! They all lived at the orphanage (siblings – there are 5 of them!) – I am closest to Wendy and Franklin, and always grateful to be able to spend time with them! Wendy and Valesca (and all of the kids) came over for dinner last weekend (or maybe Monday?) – wat a fun time!

No big plans this weekend. We were going to take a road trip, but with the impending tropical storm Harvey, we decided not to and will stay close to home. I of course have plenty to do with PTN work, CSUDH work, and upcoming school work – so, no shortage with things to do.

I am grateful to friends and family at home who so willingly watch my Winston and Minina – without them, such trips would not be possible! With that, I will sign off and hopefully be able to post this! Hope everyone is doing well! Hasta luego!