Hello Everyone who has been tuning into our travels in the lovely La Ceiba, Honduras.  Tonight I, Bree Shaw, am writing to tell you about our emotianal experiences today.

Like yesterday, our day started with an early rise at about 6:30 for a 7:00 breakfast that unfortunately some of us did not attend.  As it turned out the feasting of red meat at El Gordos the other night had not been appetizing to some of our digestive systems.  After some much needed medications were taken everyone loaded onto the bus to begin our journey to the Jungle School. 

Unlike the first day, we did not begin by saying ¨Hola¨ to the kids, but instead went straight to work on minimizing the sand pile that never seemed to change shape or size.  While the teenagers and Glennon started moving the sand up a chain, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Baker went to their water system to see what new work was on the schedule.  Sand was brought up and down the tire steps and loaded and unloaded again and again.  By around the third trip up the steps, everybody working looked pale and ready to take a nice long nap in the shade.  Fortunately the bell rang for the kids to have a snack break and we were afforded a few minutes to say hello and catch our breath.  When our break was over the chain of teenagers began hauling sand to the back of the school once again.  Yet, no matter how much tiring work is repeated, I have not heard a single complaint from any of the group members.  Everyone realizes the importance of why we are here and are willing to put all muscle into accomplishing our goal.  Everyday at our homes in California we know that the toilets will flush and we will have water to wash our hand and brush our teeth; the kids here are not given such luxeries.  Installing the new water line has become the new milestone in everyone´s mind.

When lunch time came, our whole group was ready to rest.  The 5-gallon water jug was all but gone and the dirt pile looked suprisingly smaller.  Lunch came and went and the next event on our schedule became known.  After a quick 45 minutes at the hotel to wash off we were heading out to the Campesinos Village, Solares Nuevo, to give out some donations.  The Campesinos Village is a village of peasant farmers and their families, they are very poor and do not live in good conditions.  Once we came to the village, the change in the living conditions were immediate.  On the drive down to the unloading stop, I myself saw a little boy hitting a puppy on a lead again and again with a knife.  The puppies yelps broke my heart but I understood that the boy didn´t know any better.  The children are raised in abusive families and the only thing some of them know is to express their anger and feelings on less dominent things. 

Once we got out of the bus with 6 children from the Hogar we heard the story of the farmers.  Around 4 years ago the government had kicked the families off of their farming lands with no place for them to relocate.  David and Helping Honduras Kids stepped in to help these poor people.  They relocated them and all of their supplies to the place they are now and bring donations, food, money, and other necessary stuff whenever they can.   After hearing their hearbreaking story we took a quick look around before passing out donations.  We observed and talked to teenagers 15 years old who already had their first child, and children who were dressed in shirts and underwear, not having anything else to wear.  The first things passed out were toys and stuffed animals.  The young boys went crazy with the footballs, soccer ball, and frisbees and the girls all held the stuffed animals with such adoration and care it was impossible not to tear up.  When clothes started being passed out David informed us that the maximum was 2 clothing items per person.  Even when this minimal amount given, there were still many people who did not recieve anything.  Leah even had a young girl ask her if there were any stuffed animals left for her long after they had all been claimed.  Watching the way these people live was enough to make everyone freeze with shock and brought an even bigger amount of respect to the children and adults who live like they do every day.  When it was time to say goodbye we all left wishing there was something more we could do to help.

After visiting the Campesito Village we headed back to the Hogar to spend 30 minutes with the kids.  While some kids and teens went outside to play soccer, tag, or marbles; and some people played foosball with the kids, a few pairs settled down to read some books.  Stacey and Carolina, Danielle and Charlyene, and Sara and I read books in English and Spanish with the kids and their pride in being able to read to us was overwheming.  It is amazing how much we all feel attached to the kids after only a few days together.  Brian and Nick were among the first few to become ¨Padrinos¨ to some of the boys there and the girls found themselves as ¨Madrinas¨ before they new it.  At 7 it was time to say goodbye because thechildren have to wake up at 3:45 to get ready for school.

From the Hogar we went to ExPatriots and had a meal of beans, chips, and meat or fish and then headed out to the souvenir shop to find gifts for you people back home (and for ourselves too!)   From there our tired bunch headed back to the Hotel for some sleep. 

After this exciting and very emotional day, it is hard to keep my eyes open.  My roomates are all upstairs ready to hit the sack and due to the fact I forgot a key, I want to knock on the door before they fall asleep.  I hope you all enjoyed my journals on the activities of the day, thank you for tuning in, and goodnight!  :-)

-Bree