Cesar,
Ana, Alex, Saul, David (Rojo), and David (sleeper) with their finished
puzzle in the Tarimoya center.
Lives were touched and lessons were learned on
both sides of our cultural exchange here in Veracruz today. An early
wake up call was in order for our trip to La Laguna’s next door
neighbor Tarimoya.
The Tarimoya center is the community outreach
program of local teens and the center provides a place for young
children in the area to come on Saturday mornings and experience
positive role models and learn English. After spending two hours with
the kids at Tarimoya we set off for La Laguna.
About 70 kids were at the center and we cycled them
through different stations including making bracelets, playing bingo,
and no school is complete without a station for Hokey Pokey. It was a
bit stressful handling all the energetic kids but I speak for all of us
in saying that seeing the precious smiles of the kids made our hard
work worth it. It ceases to amaze me that despite their horrid living
circumstances they are constantly beaming and maintain a positive
outlook on life.
The joy continued on the local soccer field in the
evening. The girls took the field first and scrimmaged themselves
seeing as the opposing team did not show up. Screams of “Golaso” filled
the dense Veracruz air. The boys team took the field second decked out
in matching Mexico uniforms. Previously hesitant and shy kids came out
of their shells and exalted after each goal. There was much exultation
seeing as the team won 7-3.
I’m very lucky to be here in Veracruz spending time
with these kids and immersing myself in this culture and am looking
forward to another rewarding week, both for myself and for everyone
involved.
P.S. Phoenicians, we miss you and our games of Banagrams and Spoons
will not be the same without you
David A. (Sleeps)
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