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!