After living in the desert for almost 2 years we are packing up and heading for the hills of Kentucky, come along for the ride.
Rooms full of desks
07/21/2015 On Friday, Roatan Because We Care (BWC) delivered 20 more desks to the school in Pandy Town. For some reason it is one of my favorite schools. It was the first school I fitted TOMS shoes at, so it’s kind of special. It’s also where I got my first hug from this guy.
He hugged me even before I fitted him!!
I was to pick my friend Carmen up and then meet Nidia at the school. On the way to the school I saw the truck with all the desks alongside the road. It had overheated. I took Henry to get a 5 gallon jug of water, Nidia was already calling for back-up so I went to get Carmen and would meet Nidia at the school. The municipal truck must have come right after I left because by the time I met Carmen at the dock, they were just coming across on their boat as I pulled in, we arrived only a few minutes before Nidia, the truck with the desks and the boxes of sandals. Pandemonium ensued. The kinder from Calabash Bight was also there for sandals.
An overheated truck laden with desks. I hope Henry made it home OK after that.The municipal of Santos Guardiola to the rescue. Thank you once again to the municipal for supporting everything that we do!This was the kinder from Calabash BightLearning about personal space.Girls turnNice new desksPatiently waitingNineteen of these desks were donated by an anonymous donor from the states. It was the donors idea to use the inspirational quotes for the desks instead of their name. The last desk was donated by my favorite store, Umbul Umbul. Many thanks to both of the donors, Umbul Umbul is a regular donor and we so appreciate them!Words to live byEspecially with new desksI really think these students are!It’s a harsh worldNever know unless you tryThe classroom getting the desks. Carmen in the pink top and a teacher in the dress.All of the new desks that we delivered a few months ago are still in brand new condition. Pride..New desks in the other room. This is where Nidia was embossing and I went to the other room and took photos of the kids. I then had them developed and took them along to pass out to the kids.This needs replaced, however it is one they chose to still use.Non-functionalDownright dangerous and this too is one they will continue to use.File storageBeautifulCarmen helping to fit the sandalsThis picture pretty much captions itselfThe sandals were all donated by Pastor Ronny Russell and his group, The Live Again Ministries. They are the group that made the fantastic senior luncheon we had last month possible. Thank you so much Pastor Ronny and the whole group!!!Isn’t she gorgeous, wonder what is on her mind??They saw my camera and started posing. I was the picture lady.Another beautiful young girlLove these twoThe taller girl asked if I could print 2 photos, one for each of them.Before I said anythingAfter I said, show me your shoes!!Discarded for new flip flops. Only thing is, they are not allowed to wear flip flops to school, they must wear black shoes. That is why TOMS donates thousands of pairs of shoes to these kids.All the sandals were passed out nowGroup photos are never what you expect them to beOne more shot.Sitting on their new desks. The little girl is holding up the photo I gave her of herself and her friend.Show me your shoesSchoolyard, complete with clean laundryNidia has the kids carry their desks in, it give them a sense of ownership. This time Nidia had them read what was embossed on the back of the desk before they went inside.Good lessonsPerfect desk for this boy, he always has a fabulous smile!!So importantNew desk, new sandalsNidia and the sub-director from the school. He is always there when we are doing something. He keeps the kids in control quite well.Rooms full of nice desksWhat a gorgeous girl, and, purple is her favorite color!!
It really is so much fun to go to the schools, especially when the students are anxious for your arrival. Most everyone in Pandy Town school speaks English so it was much easier to communicate with them. I walked around with my photos, showing them to different students and asking if the person in the photo was there. When I found them and gave them the photo I took of them a few months ago they had a variety of reactions. Some were very shy and others got silly and laughed and laughed. I had several students then ask me to take their photo in the hopes I would bring back a picture of them too. These children don’t have photos taken of them so giving them a printed picture is quite fascinating. Their lives are so different than the lives of the majority of the children in the US. Back in the states, most kids wouldn’t care about new desks or a new pair of flip-flops or a printed photo of themselves, here these small things mean a lot to them. It was evident in their smiles.
Thank you to all of you who have donated to Because We Care, we strive to make life better for the kids and families on this island.
Living on an island was a life long dream of mine. In 2012 I moved to Roatan and lived there for 4 months, went back to the US, packed up our belongings and sold our house. In Oct of 2013 we moved there permanently. Our house was completed in July of 2014 and we moved in. After 6+ years, I was ready to go back to the US. I made the move in Dec of 2019 and my husband came a year later. Here we are in Arizona, waiting for our island house to sell so we can sell this place and move on. I guess I'm more like a traveling mermaid.
What wonderful quotes on the backs of the desk, positive reinforcement they will see everyday! I just love all their beautiful faces and the smiles of joy, really lovely.
Mermaid on a Raft 
What wonderful quotes on the backs of the desk, positive reinforcement they will see everyday! I just love all their beautiful faces and the smiles of joy, really lovely.
I thought the “words to live by” was a great idea also. The kids see them everyday so it just may sink in.