Click here for a video clip of the workers in action.
We visited a preschool and elementary school, and while some things are similar, the rooms were quite bare compared to our classrooms. There were few obvious manipulatvies, resources or storybooks in the classroom, and the playgrounds had little equipment. It was our understanding that only the high schools have internet access with a computer lab. We learned that some families try to save extra money to send their children to private school to help them learn English from a young age to help give them more opportunities when they are finished school. Private school only cost $10 per month, but was out of reach for most families. Once again, I felt very fortunate as a teacher and for my students to have so many supplies and resources available.
Our two weeks were packed with many experiences. We climbed active and inactive volcanoes, sand boarded down the Cerro Negro volcano, learned about the history and political instability, admired the beautiful architecture, kayaked around isletas, ziplined through the canopy, visited a cacao factory, scuba dived, watched pottery being made, fished, enjoyed the beautiful weather… just to name a few! After returning home and reflecting on our trip, we felt that despite how poor the people we came in contact with, they seemed content and happy with what they had. What a great lesson for my family to have!
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