On 15th November 2006, our school was severely and violently vandalized by the local Mayor and police. All of the windows were destroyed and the classrooms left in ruins and ontop of this the destruction took place while the teachers and children were inside.
They also cut off all water supplies to the school meaning that every Thursday the parents and children from all over the town and mountains have to bring their own water to school in any containers they have in order to fill up the tanks for the toilets.
Since I have been here ´Down 2 Earth´ have managed to get hold of an injunction from the City Officials against any further destruction ´for now´ but no one really knows if this small piece of paper will prevent long term plans for the expansion of the market.
If the planned expansion of the market goes ahead in order to bring in tourists it will not only mean that the kids dont have a school but the poorest people from the mountains will not be able to afford a spot in the new improved market in order to sell their fruits and crafts.
For the 3 months from Nov 06 - Jan 07 that the school was on break ´los padres de la escuela´ (The Parents of the school) have been camped inside the school 24hrs a day to make sure that their children are secured an education and the mayor doesnt come back to finish off the job.
The influence of the mayor has also meant that the school is no longer recognised as a enducation center by the govenment so all funds, including teachers wages have been stopped meaning they have all been working for free.
Its such a hard political state which really has the town split in two. Our project is one of education, the environment and human rights by protecting whats left of the Mayan population.
Im scared now to leave the kids as no one really knows what the future of the school is. I feel like they have started to trust and except me and now that I am going, I feel so torn.
They are used to seeing me around the school and town and even at weekends I hear their little voices in the street shouting ´Seño Lucia´ as I walk by. I think I am going to have to be bound and gagged and thrown onto a chicken bus when the time comes to finally leave them behind!!!!
This is my last week teaching them in the school so Im just gonna make the most of every second I still have with them.
I have been invited back whenever I want so my plan is to continue working freelance and come back each year when it gets quiet in the industry.
I hope thats the right thing to do, who knows, part of me wants to tear up my ticket home (ok partly because I´m shit scared of flying) but so I can stay with my Niños de San Pedro.
Maybe, all of my favourites, I know I am not suposed to have them, but all teachers and parents do right? I know this as I am told secretly all the time by my parents, oh yes I am, Oh yes I am, its my blog!! Anyway, I could bring them all home with me so that is not so hard to leave!!!!!
There´s only 6 kids, no hang on 7, either 7 or 8 which really isnt that much as they are only small and my Dad is already building a house in Spain which would be perfect as they all speak Spanish and are totally sweet Daaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!
Hmmm, anyway,take your time, Im not leaving till the 4th March so... have a litle think, read through this entry again, check out their tiny little faces in the picture bellow Dad and get back to me!!!!
Just kiddin, Love you!!
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2 comments:
I set the limit at six but how on earth can you choose, they all look so adorable.
Just remember though, they may speak Spanish but if they are of true Mayan origin they probably won't want any more to do with my Spanish neighbours than with their own Mayor!
Oh no - you can't leave. That will be so hard for you and everybody and you hate flying - you'll just have to stay!
PS: I would - it's not very busy here yet. x
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