Hola hola!
Well, where do I start? I am now almost 4 months in to my year in Honduras… a third of the way already!! It’s very surreal because in many senses it feels like this is home now. I’ve established such strong bonds to both the people in the community and the project that I can barely even imagine leaving, so I try not to think too much about how quickly time is passing! We’ve just started our 2 months of Christmas vacations (their equivalent of our summer) and so, by the time we get back to teaching, we’ll be half way through the year!
The school year has just finished, so the past few weeks have been pretty crazy! The students all sat exams which determined if they could continue going to La Providencia in the coming year. It’s strange to think that even at their age these exams are more or less defining their future, their level of education and what they will go on to do with their lives. Although I find that very difficult to comprehend, over the past few months I’ve come to accept that that’s just the way it has to be and has encouraged me further to make sure my students do well. Anyway, despite all of my worrying, all of my second and third graders passed Maths and Science with good marks! Even those who had been struggling really impressed me, which I think was due to the fact I’d been spending a couple hours a week after school with those who were finding the work hard. I was also informed before we broke up for the holidays that in the coming year (which starts in February) I will be continuing to teach Maths and Science but to grades 3, 4 and 5… I’m so excited!!! This also means the majority of my students will be the same as last year which I think will be really good as I feel I’ve developed a great relationship with them. Grade 2 are a bit manic and very lively so it’s sometimes hard to get them to focus, especially when it comes to ‘boring’ parts of maths but after spending so much time with them over the past few months I’ve really been successful in discovering what gets their attention and how I can keep them motivated, which is super rewarding for me! Grade 3 on the other hand are a smaller class and only has 3 boys which makes definitely makes my job easier!! They’ve been a great class to get to know as well and because they’re so well behaved (usually!) we’ve been able to do a lot of fun little activities cause they finish their work with plenty time…. We’ve also invented some really fun games as a class, they’re brill!
Outwith school we’ve kept really busy too and I spend a lot of time talking to our hosts, Luci and Jose which I feel has sent my Spanish abilities soaring! Also I’ve spent a lot of time down in the ‘bodega’ (crafts workshop) at Providencia with the guys who work there. As well as teaching them to dance and them teaching me to make things like desks for the classrooms it’s been a great way of practicing my Spanish as none of them speak English…. Although I’m not yet able to catch all the jokes they fire at me I am now able to hold pretty lengthy conversations and I really enjoy learning as I go… though I’m not sure how well I would do when tested on grammar! I also enjoy speaking to the Honduran teachers at school, people on the bus and, well, more or less anyone who will listen to me!!!I’ve actually made way too many random bus friends and Luci and Jose have told me I have to go by the name Maria so creepy men can’t track me down….. (Because obviously ‘blonde gringa’ wouldn’t lead them straight to me haha). Over the past few months I started playing football for a Honduran ladies team in our village which was super fun but extremely hard work in the midday sun, the locals loved the colour I turn when I’m exercising here! We also went rock climbing a couple times and I have been invited to go with some guys weekly next year. I think quite a few of the guys are bilingual and often do little camping/ hiking trips so they’ll definitely be good fun to be friends with. I'm going to come home fitter than when I left I think!
After some seriously sad goodbyes to Katie, our roommate and best friend for our time in Honduras this year, she headed back to the States after 10 months living here in Aguas del Padre teaching English and PE at the school. Katie is an absolutely incredible, kind-hearted and loving person and I’ll miss her friendship and support here SO much. I’m just so glad we got to spend the time we had here with her, she has truly had an impact on the way I look at life and will forever hold a very special part in my heart!
Now that we’ve finished school we have a 2 month holiday which we will spend travelling Central America, getting to explore and develop our knowledge about the incredible cultures and countries here. We’re currently in Costa Rica (possibly my new favourite country, ever) and in a week or so will head up to Nicaragua. Then we’re going back to Honduras for Christmas and New Year to meet up with the other volunteers. After Christmas we’re heading up to Guatemala and Belize or El Salvador. It’s super exciting and so amazing getting the chance to visit these truly incredible, breath-taking, magnificent countries. I’ll fill you in on our new adventures soon.
Adios, un abrazo, Kayla x
Nat in Honduras with my Grade 2 kids!
Cutest kid ever?!
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