Mid-January is an exciting time in El Salvador as children get ready to go back to school. Our preparations at Love & Hope Children’s Home started way back in November as a team effort. We filled out registration forms. Our drivers picked up birth certificates to accompany the forms and then we printed school-size pictures that the schools required. Our administrator made sure all of the registration fees were paid. We all had to remind ourselves that getting 21 children ready to start school is a whole lot different and a lot more work than just one or two in a “normal” sized family. We also began collecting school supply lists and securing donations for school supplies and shoes.
The end of December was when the big push really began. We took the kids to be fitted and measured for uniforms and purchase their books. One of the biggest jobs that had to be completed was covering books and notebooks. Volunteers helped the kids wrap the hundreds (literally, hundreds) of books and notebooks that they would cart to school everyday. This took a couple weeks to finish, but we were blessed to have motivated volunteers and children that were eager to help!
A school in the United States provided each child with a new book bag for 2013. A Girl Scout troop assembled pencil cases for each child, and another school provided new Bibles for most of the children. These were all stored downstairs, then put together according to each child’s school supply list. It was like we had our own papeleria (paper store) of supplies in the tutoring room! We made several trips to the store for odds and ends that weren’t donated or are a little hard to find.
When mid-January rolled around, even the few that weren’t so excited about going back to school wouldn’t leave us alone about receiving their book bags, pencil cases and new supplies. Finally the big night arrived. We talked to all of the children about homework hour and school expectations. Then everyone received their book bags, overflowing with supplies! Their new uniforms were still fresh and clean inside the bags they were bought in.
The children that attend Colegio CEFAS started gradually during the week of January 16th, including our littlest child who went to school for the first time ever. On January 21st, 11 children started at a new (to us) school called Colegio Luz de Israel. Two of our other little guys started their last year of kindergarten at Kinder Carrusel, so excited to get back to their beloved teachers.
The Plaza Sesamo has been used every morning and afternoon for school runs. Homework time is in full swing everyday as the children are already bringing home plenty of tarea (homework) to fill their afternoons. Communicating with teachers is a top priority for us this year, and we’ve already gone to a couple school meetings and met most of the teachers.
The children have come home from school in good moods with stories about old friends, new friends and teachers. Everyone seems to be adjusting well to their new schools or classrooms and are generally motivated to complete their homework. Please pray for our children, caregivers, staff and volunteers as we all work together this school year. We are excited to share stories of academic success with you during 2013!