Yesterday morning I met the founder and director of Telchac Education, Judy Abbott, in the main square of Telchac and we went to the elementary school together. She introduced me to the school principal, and took the time to give me some details about her relationship with the school. Judy is a strong minded person, and she takes care of business swiftly. Her organization sponsors children throughout their schooling, providing the uniforms and shoes, as well as all the required material. In return, they must do their best at school, and whenever one of them runs to her to say hello, she never fails to ask 'so, how are your grades?' or 'are you reading books at home?' with a few words of support, and she is quickly on her way to the next pit stop. These children report back with each report card, together with a written note. Now that all of her sponsored children are well equipped, she is using the available funds to purchase school supplies for the teachers. So yesterday she was delivering state maps for all the classrooms, and picking-up wish lists from the teachers. She will go and purchase the goods, and deliver them along the next few weeks. She is the Robin Hood of the town, taking (not stealing) from the rich and giving to the poor. The money is donated by the many Canadian and American home owners in the area. A lot of somewhat or very wealthy retired people who are glad to help out financially.
So with all that, the meeting with the school principal was not so successful. She is not all too pleased with Judy's popularity around town and around the school, and never wastes an opportunity to display her power of authority. She gracefully explained that since the idea was presented to her in late summer, the school program has expanded and there is not really any time to squeeze in a music program. However she is happy to let me use a room for afterschool classes, and will even give a good word for me to the President (Mayor) to get a space in the central square. I thanked her for her time, shook her hand, and Judy and I went directly to the Kindergarten school around the corner.
As I explained to Judy, if I volunteer my time while I'm here - I want it to have a real educational impact and unless I am in the classroom, it will not happen with school age children. However Kindergarten schools are usually much more open to my program as their curriculum is not as structured. The children and teachers learn all the activities together, and keep doing them after my departure. That's why my priority switched to the KD school of Telchac. As expected, they are welcoming my program within their regular hours of operations, and I will be teaching my first classes tomorrow morning. All good! I still have a bag of instruments, and I am looking forward to leaving it with them.
Oh and the house situation... well now apparently the agency can not reach the owner of the alternate house we have chosen, and are pushing us to go to our second choice - which has a small patio and very small pool. Although this is a beautiful house, slick architecture and very upscale, we do have 3 boys who need a lot of space to play. I insisted that he try to reach the owner again, and we'll take it from there. Our frinds are arriving next Friday, and time is running out... Although I am not really worried about it, I really want to settle this. The saga continues!
Going shopping for food in Progreso today, we will explore the public market there. Looking forward it - although I have some apprehensions as Progreso is a cruise ship port (as well as commercial), and most vendors there have the pushy attitude of highly touristic towns... which makes it almost impossible to have a genuine conversation with them,,, very unpleasant. I keep my mind open though, I might be surprised : )
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