Friday update

Ok, I will do my best to recap the week's events. 

Monday:

We left our host family's house in the mountains and headed down to the school in Las Menitas that was rebuilt two years ago. We got to see the end of Javier's (one of our translators) English lesson. The class consisted of about 16 students ranging from elementary grades up to adults. Students were up front giving presentations in English while the class got to ask them questions. 

After the English class dismissed, the primary grade teacher came in to work with a group of about 20 students from 1st-6th grades. It was interesting to see him differentiate his instruction for a multi-age classroom. 

Then it was on our way to the worksite to get started on the construction of the new school. 

My first job was digging holes to put the pillars in. This proved to be a difficult task with very rocky ground and very high temperatures! We rotated in groups of 3 or 4 using the shovel and bar

After digging for a while, I switched to moving bricks out to the work area from where they were being made nearby. Luckily, the brick mason's house is the closest one to the school site! 

We stopped for lunch that the community had cooked for us and continued work in the afternoon. Unfortunately, there wasn't much shade and no streams nearby to cool off, so it was a long, hot day! However, returning to town for an ice cold smoothie was a refreshing treat.

Tuesday:

An equally hot and sunny day, we spent Tuesday finishing the holes, digging trenches, cutting wire and iron rods for the pillars, and moving more bricks. Once we returned to town from the worksite after working all day, I was very tired and not feeling well. There was a tour of the town scheduled for that evening, but I had a feeling I was not going to make it. I headed home for a shower and things started to go downhill. It started with a fever, headache, and stomach issues. After consulting with a local doctor through the organization we are working with, I took my antibiotic and some other medications and was able to break the fever that evening. However, I spent the majority of the next 36 hours in bed. 

Wednesday:

Spent the day in bed. Unfortunately, I missed a day of work as well as some dance lessons in the evening. Everyone was very helpful in getting me back on my feet - especially my roommate, Charlie, and the Peace Corps volunteer who lives with us (Conrad). 

Thursday:

I was feeling better but not back to 100%. However, I knew that getting out and about would help me recuperate, so I headed back up to the worksite with the group. It was slow-moving for me, and I was able to help with some small jobs like sanding bricks, cutting iron, and mixing mortar. After lunch, I tossed the football around with the two boys that hung around the site (Henri and Nestor). I had spent some time throughout the week getting to know them as I practiced my Spanish. Later on, I took a walk down to a swimming hole with them - which was very refreshing! 

I missed another dance lesson on Thursday night as I was still not feeling the greatest. I figured it was better to stay in so that I could attend the last day of work on the school. Missed out on the salsa though!

Friday:

Half day of work, and the first day with some clouds! The breeze was nice at the worksite. We got the chance to see the place they are currently using for the school, which is just part of someone's house, and meet the children of the community. I sifted sand, polished more bricks, moved bricks, and tied wire to make the pillars, while others continued to lay bricks and mix mortar as well. We got three of the walls put up before lunch and got started on the front wall where the door will be. 

It is amazing the work they do by hand. I have so much respect for the workers for what they do with basic resources and few tools. 

After lunch, we said our good-byes and headed back to town. I enjoyed a nice cold frappuccino and went home to grab my swimsuit as we were all headed for a river outside of town for some much needed swimming. We hopped in our trucks headed for the Rio Grande where we spent some time enjoying the cool water and reflecting on our week's work. 

After returning, we freshened up and headed to our farewell dinner put on by the host families. It was held at a nearby English school in order to accommodate everyone who was involved with the project (volunteers, workers, translators, drivers, and host parents). It was a delicious dinner (chicken cordon bleu, fried plantains, rice, vegetables, and ice cream) to end our week in El Sauce. In the morning, we will be headed for Leon for the weekend before we head home. 

I regret that I wasn't able to get much reflection into my recap of the week, but there was a lot to catch up on! In the next few days, I will try to build in some of my thoughts about the experiences we have had. 

Buenas noches!