4 More Weeks

Today marks officially 4 more weeks to my return home. It's hard to believe how fast the time has flown. I am ready to see family and friends and eat some home cooked American food again, but I will also miss my life here. I'm trying to take advantage of it since there's not much left!

My life has been busier than I thought these last 2 weeks. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays I go to an elementary school and work with first and second graders, but they are like 8 and 9 year olds. It is a lot of fun (especially since we always play soccer during the breaks in the halls) but a LOT of work. I am working with kids who need extra attention and have fallen behind in math and reading. The class has over 30 students so it is impossible for the teacher to give the appropriate attention. It is sad to see how the kids through the neglect of the attention they need to understand have lost a little of their sense of worth. They just think they can't do it and have accustomed themselves to cheating or just getting it wrong. I never really thought of schools have "marginalized" groups, but it is clear to see that every classroom does. I have gained a whole new respect for teachers. Through education classes at Lipscomb, I've worked and taught in classrooms before, but for short periods of time, like an hour. After spending 7 to 4 in the classroom 3 days a week, I don't see how the teachers do it! I am pooped! Especially last Thursday when Steven and I were the substitutes in the afternoon for a sick teacher. Wow. That's all I can say. What a challenge.

Tuesdays and Thursdays we have grammar class in small groups of 6 or 7 and process groups to discuss our readings. We are studying different marginalized groups like prostitutes, squatters, etc. We also go to different organizations to hear their stories. Last week we went to an organization called Jesus para la Cuidad. They offer classes and activities mainly for adolescents to try to change typical habits that come with poverty like violence, abuse, drugs, etc., and to offer hope and opportunity to people who don't receive any. Today we went to an organization that works with women who are looking to leave the sex industry. Costa Rica is huge in prostitution, human trafficking, sex tourism, child prostitution, everything. We heard 3 different stories of women who are healing for years of living a street lifestyle. Their wounds are deep and it was amazing to hear their lives which stand in dark contrast to my comfortable one. They entered prostitution to make money for their families at the age of 11 or 12. One mom gave the girl an outfit and told her to do it because the family needed money. I am enjoying reading and hearing stories different from my own that represent many groups of people who live without a voice, live with opportunity and hope, live trying to survive today with little hope of a better tomorrow, people who are burdened by the social systems that stand. I don't know how, but I want to represent these people and work to change the systems that stand. Our benevelance may help in the short term, but there are deep, socital changes that are needed to truly help these people and give their lives value.

So that's what I've been up to. We're going to Teatro Nacional tonight to see a production, not even really sure of what we're seeing. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Think about me as we have class that morning and are trying to piece together a Thanksgiving meal for the afternoon. I sure will miss Grandma's feast and the time with family. Love and peace to all.