Hi Guys,
Just a quick update from Mattenwa Community Learning Center. It has taken over an hour to get this connection and who knows when I'll lose it (actually, I think I "lost it" on the 7th reboot!) so I'll type fast.
We've figured out that we can expect a watery juice or possibly Haitian coffee and bread each morning for b'fast, a break in the school day for some pasta or rice and beans or mixed veggies, then delicious ginger-cinnamon tea with bread before we hit the sack between 8 and 8:30. Real night owls around here! School starts at 7:30 since they have to switch groups and teach the secondary kids in the afternoon (new set of teachers). The class schedule is amazingly like we were doing in the states. They have made a lot of their own materials. The kids are very involved and are made to think independently. They have a great music class and are learning to make chairs in "shop" class. We're really pleased that a St. Mak Kindergarten teacher is here since these things should be easy to employ there and she seems really excited about it all.
There is apparently a beautiful waterfall a motorcycle's ride away which Gail will have none of so we haven't seen anything but the immediate area. If you get a clear vantage point you can see the ocean below. Really pretty.
It's really great the way they incorporate so many local issues in their everyday learning even with the pre-school. In age-appropriate language they discuss sexual abuse, illness from unclean conditions, taking care of the earth, using local goods, .... This place is jumping!
Love to all and we'll report when we can,
Gail and Caroline
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