CHACALA 23 FEBRUARY 2007

MAR DE JADE FROM THE BEACH

Today’s mission is to get Luc into a school. We set off with Anastasia – the beautiful Spanish volunteer from the States, who will be visiting SA with Angelica. Our mission takes us up the little dirt road, pass a few little cafes and curio shops. And then the primary school. Looks really nice with some kids doing sports outside. Luc refuses to go inside and says he is not going to this school. One of the teachers suggest that we rather go for the Kindergarden and takes us there (one block down from the school). The first thing we see is a small jungle gym, and Luc suddenly looks much more interested! It is a small little school, with 7 boys only, one little classroom (very nicely done, with a very nice computer station). The boys are a bit wild. They run and scream and jump on each other. None of them speak English and Anastasia translates. They would love to have Luc. Costs is 80 Pesos ($8 dollars!) per week. School is on Tuesday to Friday. Without much discussion Luc is already on the jungle gym and nods happily when we ask him if he wants to go to this school! The rest of the morning is spent on the beach and at the pool. Luc hangs out with his friend, Beckett (who will be leaving soon). I have a session with Laura and Angelica in the afternoon, looking at setting up the support group and doing marketing and PR. Laura is a truly amazing women – somewhat of an activist and often in trouble because she takes on radical causes (like stopping police brutality etc!). Laura started the clinic in 1983 and the resort was a result of interns who wanted to come and work in the clinic and needing a place to stay. Many charity and community development projects have developed as a result of Mar de Jade. What they have accomplished is truly amazing! I am very excited about what can be done (one can easily stay here for many more months!).

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR CALLIE
Dear Daddy. We just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a great day and have lots of fun!

REFLECTIONS
Being bored on day one, desperately looking for work, driven to do something, whilst you are sitting in the sun drinking a Pacifico! All of this because we forget how to relax and enjoy life.