Many Hands Make Light Work......

And that was certainly the case over the last two days. It's amazing what you can achieve when everyone pitches in.

Friday was the start of my weekend as I had no classes planned, having condensed them in to four intense days during the week. In the morning I met up with Ellen and along with four other "gringos" we headed back to the villages of Sinai and Chilar. Ellen had had two tables and four benches made for the school at Sinai. Many kids had been sitting on the floor or sharing a chair. The children were so excited to see us and raced out of the school with great enthusiasm to proudly carry their new furniture in to the school;

Ellen...getting loaded up!

All hands on deck:

The kids get to enjoy their new tables and benches....

After Sinai, we headed to Chilar. One of the "gringas" with us was a women named Carol. She runs a small organization called "A Better World" (if i remember rightly) and the Granja (Chicken farm) at Chilar was sponsored by "A Better World" as well as PSS.  Carol wanted to see how the construction of the Granja was going. Arriving in Chilar we learnt that the father of the only Grade 7 student girl had died the day before. The entire school with us in tow headed to the widows house to pay our respect. This family lives in tremendous poverty and it's hard to say how they will fare now. Many of these families live in immense poverty and it often becomes even harder when the mothers become single parents. We asked how the father died but the response was somewhat noncommittal. Perhaps the person we asked didn’t know or didn’t like to say. The entire school, students and teachers, and us gringos crammed in to their mud house. It was very dark and smokey from the family’s fire smoldering in one corner of the room. Obviously there is no electricity here and the room was lit by candle light. The father was laid out in the center of the room wrapped in a grey silk looking sheet in some sort of wicker type coffin. Candles burned at his head and feet. I learnt that he will stay in the house for 24 hours before being taken out. I didn't find out what happens then. Burial I assume only because I have seen cemeteries here but perhaps cremation, I'm not sure.

Other traffic on the way to Chilar....... 

Travellin' Honduran Style......

Classroom in Chilar;

Turkey dinner anyone?

Going to pay our respect (with the entire school showing us the way);

After Chilar, Friday afternoon was an excursion with the school. I had chosen to go horse riding again with Beto to La Pintada, a small village about an hour away by horse back in the mountains. The women there run a weaving cooperatve and make scarves from a local plant. I forget the name of it now but it is a plant that grows naturally in Honduras. It can take up to a day to make a scarf. I bought one for $8 (no haggling - my choice). In Pintada I was somewhat accosted by the children who try to sell the tourists, dolls made out of corn husks. The dolls are actually very clever and sell for $1. It's horrible trying to choose between which children to buy from....but how many corn husk dolls does one person need? I got lucky and at one point only four children were nearby so I bought from one each as well as a scarf.. They will make great souvenirs.

Tomato processing (on way to Pintada);

Crossing the river to get to Pintada;

View of the river;

Pintada local making mud blocks to build a new house;

Gives hand washing a whole new meaning;

Weaving demonstration;

Saturday morning dawned hot and sunny. I was picked up by Marel and his family. We were headed to El Bonete a village about 15 minutes outside of Copan for a painting excursion. The school has three rooms and was badly in need of a freshen up. Ellen had to stay behind to take care of other business. We arrived in El Bonete to be greeted by many of the children and parents who had come out to help. As we unloaded the paint and got to work inside, the dads started ripping off the old netting on the outside of the school and replacing it. Many of the students went out back with one of the teachers and raked all the old grass from behind the school to burn. I say rake but they use sticks to push the grass in to bundles then roll the bundles in to a heap for burning. The students run back and forth with water bowls and throw water on the fire when it gets a little big. They also use a branch to bash out any flames that start to creep in the wrong direction. It was great to be a part of this and what was even nicer was to see students, parents and teachers coming together to clean up and repair the school.

Getting to El Bonete we crossed the river;

Many hands.......

                      
                                                Before;                  

During;                
One of the teachers;

  

Curious onlookers;

Even the bookshelves got sanded;

Cleaning out back;

And the dads replacing the mosquito screens;

After;

I got back from El Bonete a few hours ago. Stopped by to see Twiggy who is doing incredibly well. She is a different dog in just three days. It's amazing what a some food, a bath, secure environment and some love will do. I was also really happy today to see her putting some real weight on her paw. It may not be completely broken and I am hopeful that she may heal from this. I think it also helps that she doesn't have to walk miles everyday to find food. If only I could get her home......

Have a full day tomorrow as another student and I are off to the Finca on a full day coffee tour. Have included a few photos below of various shots in and around Copan...

Enjoy!

Some of the adobe houses (made with mud);

BBQ Honduran style (tried it last night);

Overlooking the river;

Fruit anyone?

The carwash; 

And more fruit;

Honduras has stunning views like this everywhere......

 View of the church in the plaza;

The plaza;

Deb Out!

Hasta la lunes.....