Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Everyone is All Smiles



His mom says he likes to make sure everyone he meets is his friend. He is worried if he doesn't gain your affection. He is remarkably thoughtful for his age, and remembers every face. This is Jared, the 4-year-old son of the Nicaraguan family I mentioned before in a blog, our former neighbors behind our first host family's house in BV. They have recently had a new addition to their family, a baby girl, though they still live in one room, the same size as the one we lived in. I cherish this family picture. Gretchen, Samwell, Jared, and Ashira. They visited us weeks ago, brought delicious coconut bread to share with us, and I showed Jared's mother, Gretchen, how to bake a marbled chocolate and vanilla boxed cake, at her request. They wanted to use our oven to bake the coconut bread and the cake. The kids thought it was a terrific time, though since it was late, their mother curtailed their sugar intake! Jared's sister, Ashira, is pictured here as well. She has changed dramatically since we first met her in August. Now that they can afford to pay for Jared to be watched at another woman's house while they are at work, Ashira is free to go to school! Gretchen used to tell me her daughter had no idea what life could have been like for her, how lucky she is to be here. Ashira used to pout and pick fights with Jared sullenly, ever washing dishes or shoes or sitting on the front stoop listlessly. I never saw her smile in all the time we lived next door, but now she is all smiles. She visits me before or after school and climbs on the climbing wall or plays with Holly. She is confident, friendly, and curious.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My friend, my grandmother, me as mentored and mentor

She was sitting primly
On the wooden love seat
So pretty & young & fresh & sweet
Seawater light eyes
Freckles high on her cheeks
Wavy hair held back at her neck
The sun from the day
Beaming out of her skin & her teeth
Aqua blue flowers
Against a silky white dress
Glittery flip flops
The color of an American pool
Her sobrina malcriada
Me as a child
Unkempt, barefoot little girl
Wild hair of straw
White face, wide eyes, blue jean skirt
After the phone call
Staring at my tears & trying not to
Mi abuela se murio
She took her leave
A white ghost, an angel
But not before
A quick squeeze y un beso
In my ear, tranquila
May God give you peace.

~4 April 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Una Bella Vista Mas Bella











The community clean-up day was mostly a gratifying success for everyone involved, beautiful even. I was amazed at how organized community leaders were in mobilizing groups of volunteers first thing Saturday morning. Many groups picked up trash, including a large number of kids sent by their mothers to help us. They were eager to be included once they saw us working, despite the hot sun! I think it was easier to ignore the heat when we were working together toward a common goal. I was informed that in a single day 9 dump truck loads of trash were driven out of Bella Vista!! Another group, including Scott, painted and cleaned the water tank, and parks were constructed by several other select volunteers. Already I have seen the children enjoying the parks built in different community spaces. Nurseries were planted. On Saturday night, a movie projected on the side of the water tank was enjoyed by all. It was meaningful in that it conveyed a message that resonated with the people of Bella Vista, people from many Central American countries and different plights. The movie was from El Salvador, called Innocent Voices. It caused people to think more deeply about why they came to Belize in the first place and how they will move forward for the benefit of their children.

This is the first time I can say with conviction I am proud to be a part of this community.