Have fun Hi Sarah,
Hope you have a great time. I guess you don't have a lot of time left there, so you should do as much as you can. Hope to see you shortly after you get back to Canada. Love you and again have a great time.
Enjoy your solo trip! Hey Sarah - I hope you enjoy your solo trip. I'd be nervous too...but I'm sure you'll be fine, especially after being in that part of the world for almost a year now. I just wanted to congratulate you on finishing your first year of teaching!!! The first year is always the hardest, and you did it with some amazing challenges - in another country, with another language to deal with, in a school that lacked supplies, etc. All in all, I'm amazed at how well you did - it was tough, but overall you kept on trying and that's what's important. Huge ((((hugs)))) to you! Enjoy your down time now, you deserve it!
Sarah...can't begin to imagine the many mixed emotions you're feeling now. Wishing you all the best in your last few weeks. I'm going to miss reading your blog....maybe you can keep it going and just tell me what you're doing everyday when you're back home! Have fun in Guatemala.
Have a great trip Great pics - it really has been a great year for you. Have fun in Guatemala - be careful, be safe - keep in touch and we will see you soon! Love Mom
Memories Hi Sar
I think pictures convey so much more than words. Great to see how your last days are unfolding. It looks like you're all one big happy family with lots of memories to share for years to come. Have a great time in Guatemala. See you in a few months !
So proud of you Way to go Clara! Amazing response. And from your follow up phone call to me I know how passionate you are about this. Nice follow up by Dad and Jenna too (nice story Jenna). Really - this is all part of the amazing experience you are having there - living and learning. You are a shining star and such a caring human being. I know you have made a difference in the lives of your students this year - I know you are struggling with them but I can honestly say that when we were there I could tell that they looked up to you and really liked you. Really.
I just wish I was there (or better you here) so that I could tell you that personally and give you a big hug to go with it. Sorry folks but I am the Mom and she's been gone too long!
Hang in there kiddo - love you lots and see you soon! Love Mom
UPDATE - MORE CORRUPTION So here´s another thing... our phone bill. We checked it out and had a bunch of extra charges on there from phone calls that we DID NOT make. We asked around and apparently this is ¨normal¨. People are always charged for calls they did not make. No one fights it, as it´s not much money, and even if you try, they simply tell you ¨well, it´s on your bill, so you have to pay it.¨ One of the school admins even said ¨Yes. They are theives.¨ Charge a little bit here and a little bit there. Making lots of money I´m sure. Nice.
Starfish I know you've heard this story before but just wanted to remind you that what you do is important:
A man is walking down the beach when he comes across thousands of starfish that have been washed ashore during the previous night's storm. As he continues, he sees a woman picking up the stranded starfish, one by one, and throwing them back into the ocean. He stands back and watches for a moment, wondering what she might be thinking. As he approaches her, he yells out, "Hey. There's no way you'll be able to save all these starfish. Do you really think it'll make a difference throwing them back in?" As she picks up the next starfish and tosses into the sea, she replies, "It made a difference to that one."
You may not be able to change the entire country, but you are giving your students the tools they will need if they so choose to do so. Keep making a difference in the lives around you!
RE: BATTLING CORRUPTION Bravo Clara! Morally depraved, wicked, influenced by bribery or fraudulent activity, the harmful and the mean-spirited, the ugly and the wrong all are unacceptable, no matter where in the world you live. Keep up your caring, loving, engaging spirit, Sarah. Your personality will continue to shine through in the muddied, dusty, evil occasions that sometimes arise. Continue to expend your energies in a positive fashion and their impact will be felt. Changing the world takes time. But all things start with a simple gesture or a small step. Hang in there. Godspeed, Boo. Love, now and always, DAD XXX OOO
Sarah....I am extremely saddened to read the entry submitted by the writer named "Jill". I am always enthused when I hear of young people like yourself travelling to less fortunate parts of the world in an attempt to make a difference to the people of that society. The writer's comments imply complete complacency to accepting the differences between underprivleged societies and our own in Canada. "Don't expect it to be like Canada"......!!!...precisely, because we are fortunate enough to live in such a democratic society should we be horrifed by the corruption that exists in other parts of the world. Although I have not had the opportunity to witness first hand life in Honduras or Uruguay, I have studied life in many different societies while obtaining my Master of Arts degree in Sociology. Also, several years of experience working with immigrants, many of them convention refugees to Canada, has given me the opportunity to hear first hand unspeakable stories of terror, brutality, corruption and torture. Believe me.....no one gets used to seeing lifeless bodies!!!.....just a greater ability to put up barriers in order to cope....because it becomes a necessity for survival. It is precisely young people like yourselves who MUST compare what you see in third world countries to Canada!! It is important to take this knowledge and share it with others in order to increase awareness of what is occurring in other parts of the world. Recognize it as wrong, and take whatever small steps you can to make a difference with the people you are working with. Sarah, even suggesting to Walter that he should get a lawyer is increasing his awareness that other parts of the world do not accept employee exploitation. He will likely never get a lawyer to deal with this issue....but what counts is that you've given him the knowledge to look at things differently. History has shown us it takes knowledge and awareness and great strength and conviction to change society. We need only think of the movement to end slavery and the right of women to be finally considered as "citizens" in the eye of the law to realize how long it takes to change an injustice. But it does happen....and it takes many, many people to make it happen because they fundamentally start to believe that the way they live is wrong. You are very right Sarah in feeling frustrated. We are privileged to live the way we do in Canada and therefore we must recognize the inequites that exist. Please don't ever become accepting of different "customs or realities" or "get used to it"................that would truly be an injustice and a travesty to the good people who have shared their lives with you over the last 10 months.
woot woot for mangoes! i would be willing to endure the daily risk of my life for the joy of fresh mangoes growing in my backyard. it may be impossible to eat them all, but i would do my best. take one for the team, you know? death by a fruiting . . . so poetic.
In response to Jill I never expected Honduras to be like Canada. I knew coming down here, that things would be different. I think where I am at right now, is just being frustrated by my surroundings. I'm not just a Canadian being frustrated by it either. There are also many Hondurans frustrated by the corruption. For example, your house being robbed but NOTHING being done about it because someone has bought off the police, or the police were somehow involved. I am not expecting these things to change. I am simply saddened by the fact that they happen. The fact that these people know it is a helpless cause saddens me. They have no way to stand up to their rights because they have none. I do feel blessed to have had this experience. Seeing the realities of another world has been an eye-opening experience and made me feel lucky to live in a place like Canada where I do have rights as an individual.
are you thinking like a honduran? or a canadian? hey sarah i was reading your journal.. a corrupt society.. it caught my eye.. but then i was a little dissapointed in your views... it seems to me that although you are living in honduras.. you are still expecting things to be the same or equal to those in canada... which i can tell you they are not.. and will never be. hiring a lawyer because your bf has to work extra hours unpaid?? perhaps in canada someone would "da bola" to this.. but.. im sure that your boyfriend knows that that is a helpless cause.. that perhaps it is even lucky If at all he is in "caja" or a legal worker. - is he? - because then he would perhaps have more rights. but if he is paid "en negro" then he wont. You also have to realize that although you may be sensitive to seeing lifeless bodies.. i would be too.. perhaps the hondurans are not. It is a different way of life. Different customs and realities. Here in uruguay many things are different as well. But i dont go into situations expecting a "canadian" response or reality. ya know? otherwise if that was what i was looking for i would always be dissapointed. anyway consider yourself lucky - although perhaps you do not realize it now. that you were able to leave canada - many canadians cannot - and see the realities of another world. but to compare them is not right. chau
I hear you I know what you mean about kids not giving you the respect you deserve. Right now I'm teaching music at my old highschool because i need hours to get into teacher's college and the grade 9 class is rediculous. They don't listen, they talk back, and they are rude we even had to suspend one kid cause it tried to smack me in the face with his trumpet mouth piece and was calling me a bitch. And now that he's back its the same story except not he making sexual comments to me that are just vulgar and rude. The teacher I'm working with isn't really doing much about it either so I know whta you mean with the respect issue. I know it's frustrating. Hang in there!
shane cards Hey Sarah! Just wanted to let you know that the cards for Shane idea is spreading across Canada because of you. I thought it was a great idea and let my Mom know about it because she helps out in my nephew's kindergarten class (in Calgary). She thought it was great and took the idea to the principal of the school and now all the grades are writing cards and letter to Shane. My nephew Jack was really excited that his whole school was doing something that started from his Auntie Monique but really I have to send on the praise to you for spreading the word. Thanks!
Just amazing! Sarah,
Reading this just made my entire morning! I am sitting at work on my prep period and your pictures just lit up my face. You tell your kids that they have amazing hearts....I love that you did this with them and I love the energy that they put into it - the positive energy and caring that they put into this is a reflection of what you are teaching them. I am so proud of you Sarah! Miss you TONS hun!! xo Shawna
well, others have said it but i'll say it again, i'm crying! you must feel so good after a day like this, after all the problems that you have with these kids, i hope you can remember this perfect day in a bit when you are about to give up....and remember what they did!!
i love reading about what you are doing sarah, looking forward to more!
Sarah...how touched I am by your kids and their compassion for young Shane. For all your discipline problems....these are kids that really know what is important in life.
Like your Mom Sarah I read this with tears in my eyes. I know from experience receiving the cards will brighten Shane's day. Even though the kids do not show it I am sure you have influenced their lives and they will always remember "Miss Sarah". I miss you and can't wait to see you in July. Love Auntie Barbara
Wow! Wow! This story is so inspiring, Sarah. It is wonderful to hear about your students coming together for something that they care about - and then going above and beyond. Amazing. I definately think that your inspired method of teaching is having an impact and that your compassion is rubbing off on them :)
I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face after reading this blog - after everything you have been through with these kids - wow - how wonderful that they have taken to this cause so strongly. I am so touched. I am sure it has given you renewed energy to top off your year. I'm sure Shane will be thrilled to receive all your cards.Love Mom
COMPASSIONATE CREW Who says you're not making an impact with these children? Remember these good days and value them always. It might help to tell your students that you never met your paternal grandmother because of leukemia. It took her life at an early age when I was only 14 years old. This just goes to show you how good to the core young children are. And you're going a long way in continuing to shape and influence their lives in a positive fashion. Well done, Boo. Keep up the good work. Love now and always, DAD XXX OOO.
It started with a year teaching in Honduras. Then it was home to the COLD winter of Canada to try and pay off some debts, followed by sailing the seas with Norwegian Cruise Lines, working as a youth counsellor.
Next it was back to Honduras, teaching in a school in Tegucigalpa!
Now, I am home in Canada but continue traveling.
Thanks for joining me on my journey!
"So don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble and fall, because most of the time the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most. Maybe you'll get everything you wish for. Maybe you'll get more tha... full info
Uncle Wayne
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Have fun
Hi Sarah, Hope you have a great time. I guess you don't have a lot of time left there, so you should do as much as you can. Hope to see you shortly after you get back to Canada. Love you and again have a great time.