The barrels we packed in a scramble amidst snow storms and dry goods runs, arrived last week. We enlisted friend Loren and his pickup truck to facilitate. “Call me when you’ve gone through customs so that I don’t have to sit there all day,” he said, embedding his warning that collecting the shipment would be a lengthy process. Thoughts of Dominican inefficiency ran through my mind. Four hours and 12 different lines with payments and clearances later, we had 2,000+ books in the back of the truck bed. Not bad!
What I most love yet most struggle with here is that things are never go as expected. We arrived at St. Joseph Elementary school at lunch time and the entire school population was milling about. Alden had organized several students to help unload and sort books, but another teacher usurped her plan and began to organize for us. We’ve been here enough to know to shut up. “Two students only at a time!” Ms. Thomas commanded. Chaos was building and the religious music blaring on the computer speaker wasn’t helping. Alden instinctively reached to turn it off. 10 minutes later Ms. Thomas turned it back on again and let us know it was her son singing in the chorus. “Keep Your Hearts in Tune” would stay- repeatedly.
We sorted books through lunch, through recess and through the rest of the “academic” day. The teachers seemed to decide there was no need to return to class even though only five students at a time were helping us. Kids peeked through the glassless windows and door to check out what was happening. Word got out there was a barrel of books just for the kids in Mero village. It was like Christmas – exciting and exhausting all at the same time. Except for Ms. Thomas, the teachers didn’t hover, but they were thrilled there were books for them as well as the students. Even the principal asked if it was OK if she put a book in her purse to read over the weekend.
It is hard to know how to fill a need without feeling like colonial benefactors and setting up expectations for future handouts. We have worked hard to involve the community in every aspect so they feel involved in the project. We made sure the kids knew that most of the books came from other students, just like them at another school similar to theirs. It’s so easy to focus on differences when those are what jump out on both sides. And yet, bullying, girl drama and parental pushback aren’t limited by country or skin color. Nice to feel at home when so much makes us feel far away.
Oh my gosh you guys. This is SO amazing. It takes me back to our year in Costa Rica, the trials and tribulations...the boys' fears and worries, the feelings of being different. The disfunction of a place where the teachers answer their cell phones and need to go all the way to the capital to get their paychecks. All of these little things make it so interesting. I want to know more!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to catch up where you return. Enjoy the sun and warmth.