Belize 2013: Day One at Santa Elena Primary School

June 17, 2013

This was such a whirlwind of a day so here is goes! :)

Singing a song for us

We loaded the buses after yet another awesome breakfast buffet. We arrived at Santa Elena Primary School (SEPS) at 8:50 or so. They had an assembly prepared for us that we attended in the back of the school under a tent. (Thankfully we had the tent due to all the rain we had throughout the 3 days there. We were expecting heat, not rain!)

Saying the Belize Allegiance

The assembly was wonderful. They sang some songs and we presented them with the soccer balls, uniforms and money. They are so gracious and thankful for the time and effort spent. The kids went CRAZY for the soccer balls and were excited to see the jerseys! When this event was over about 25 of us met with individual families. In most cases, I would say that many made some truly lasting relationships by visiting with these kids and their families. The families were chosen because through "Change for Belize" the students had their lunch provided for the year. It was a way for the families to make connections with our group and it worked out wonderfully!

Windy Hill brought us our lunch (yummy guacamole, pico de gallo, homemade tortillas) at the school. It was very tasty. Many students stuck around and chatted with us while we ate. They either walk home to eat lunch, parents bring them their lunch, or they can get food at the small cafeteria on campus. One of the most interesting things I saw was the packaging for a kool-aid type substance. The juice came in a baggie similar to like a bag of chips or something. It was see through. They ripped off a corner and drank it. Some water came that way as well.

After lunch, our children's ministry team set out work with the Standard 3-5 students (grades 5-8). They did a human knot activity and then made rosaries that we brought with us. 3/4 of the school is not Catholic, but the school is run by Catholics. Very interesting concept. The teachers have to be Catholic, but are employed by the government.... The students really liked the hands-on project and even more enjoyed the time that was spent with them by our group. Began the children's ministry session with a drawing from Jason.

Andrew and Chris worked tirelessly in the computer lab. They were able to get 10 computers more up-to-date and hope to get some more done in the near future. (Andrew would like to go back for another week sometime this summer!)

Andrew

Chris and Andrew

The paint team completed painting the bathroom building and began work on the cafeteria.

This is the cafeteria... too small for very many to eat it. Sure looks great now! (photo credit: Wipperfurth)

We also realized that we would have the opportunity to paint an outside wall they wanted done. Going into it, we weren't sure if we would be able to do everything they wanted, but in the end we did beyond anything they could imagine. We employed 3 local painters and George to help us.

George (photo credit: Schweiger)

George's 6 kids attend the school and he wanted to work with us for nothing.

George's wife and 6 kids with 3 of our young adults (photo credit: Wipperfurth)

We are still working out what we can do to help him in the future. He was found to be extremely knowledgeable in all areas of construction. We did give his family a ride (in the bus) to their home twice during out stay.

Painting bathroom building

We left there tired, exhausted and happy! :) Everyone felt like they had been moved in ways that are unexplainable. We swam a bit and then had a yummy dinner.

Our evening session was spectacular! Jason did a chalk drawing and a talk for us. He moved so many people. We also met in our small group. I had all former moms (mom's of former students) in my group, so that was very cool to have time with them.

Very overwhelmed, but ready to do it again in the morning! :)