Thursday, August 2

My teacher workshops are almost over -- one more day. I am enjoying getting to know the teachers and hearing them share their experiences. A couple of them have taught for years but will be new at Holy Cross. Others will be teaching for the first time. The school is blessed to have their excitement and dedication.
Today the teachers got information about their mandatory workshop next week in Belize City. It involves more than the usual amount of bureaucracy and frustration. They must be in Belize (or Orange Walk or one other location in the country) for 5 days. They are responsible for their own transportation, lodging and food! Holy Cross is giving them money for a round trip on the water taxi ($40bze each). Some have family they can stay with but others don't. They can stay at the diocesan guest house in Belize City but still have to manage meals and transportation. The Anglican diocese is providing no assistance. This is really a hardship for some of the teachers. When one of the volunteer groups from Virginia heard about this today, they donated $500 to be split among the teachers to provide some help for them.
At the school -- the roof is on the newest building and they are beginning to install the wallboard. There is a lot of painting going on as well -- windows and more windows. Once someone comes who can do framing, the new large building will be subdivided into 7 classrooms. Then more wallboard and painting. They hope to have them all finished by Sept. 3 when the children arrive for the first day of class.
The water is coming! It will come later today in four 300 gallons containers that will be used to fill the tank at the house and at the school. Each container will be brought over the bridge in a pickup truck. Special permission was required to bring the truck over the bridge. Nothing is easy in Belize, especially if you are not a tourist.
The Costa Maya festival has come to San Pedro. It officially opened today with the beauty pageant. When I was in town yesterday, I saw Miss Mexico, Miss Guatemala and Miss El Salvador. Beautiful young women. We'll wait to see what other festivities are planned. The weekend might be lively.
Love from San Pedro.