Tuesday evening

I am sitting on my porch, watching a hummingbird flutter through the hybiscus blossoms and the bourganvillia, and enjoying the breeze. It's nice after a very busy day at Holy Cross. The St. Luke's volunteers and I worked hard today in many different parts of the school. They worked on decking and a fence, in the library, escorting children to the dental clinic, and tutoring. This afternoon we organized all the medical files from last year, consolidating forms, creating a simplified spreadsheet for record keeping and getting ready to begin measuring measuring children tomorrow to update their height and weight. They will also try to do vision screening for the children we didn't see last year. We are looking forward to having our medical folks here next week.

I gave some more tours to folks who have heard about the school and dropped by go learn more. We hope they will become generous donors.

The internet was very uncooperative and frustrating yesterday. I could never get online. There seemed to be problems all across the island so I won't take it personally. I did miss being able to check email and say "hi" to you.

Last night I went with the St. Luke's team to Wauraguma's to eat lobster burritoes. Oh my goodness. They were SO good. We had to split them because they are HUGE. I also sampled and learned about pupusas. Yum.

Today I saw one of my favorite students at the school. He's in Standard VI which means he should graduate this year and go on to high school. He lives in San Mateo, the extremely poor community near the school, with his mother and 6 siblings. He makes gorgeous jewelry -- the best of all the boys we see -- and sells it to the tourists to help support his family. I wish I could buy it all!! He walked part of the way home with me this afternoon and then went on to find some customers. I'm sure he would love to be playing soccer or riding a bike or whatever 12 year old boys do, but every afternoon he walks the beach, selling his necklaces and bracelets to the tourists.

I was too busy today to take many pictures but will try to do better.