Tuesday March 26, 2019 

It was another work day but thankfully broken up by several other planned activities.  After an early start building raised garden beds, we were off in the van with two students to visit their homes in the vicinity of the technical school. 

We picked up some groceries on the way to offer as hostess gifts and were warmly welcomed on our arrival.  

One mother set out chairs for everyone on the veranda, served a glass of Coke, and gave us some bananas to take home.  The homes were very basic with outdoor wood cooking, laundry, and plumbing but with electricity and water. (Note the armadillo shell on the corrugated wall in the kitchen.) 

One mother was pickling green mangos which she sells.  At the other home, there was a big garden with flowers plus bananas, mangos, other fruit trees and even sugar cane.  

On our return, we continued with our work on the garden beds, making good progress despite having to remove some big stones.  

We welcomed a break for lunch and watched a video of the documentary “Poverty Inc.”.   It was very thought provoking as it described how well-meaning charities and foreign aid can actually be detrimental to the long term development of the people they are trying to help.  Many charities are rethinking their programs and it was excellent background to understand the changes, both current and planned at El Hogar.   

Tuesday night is movie night and we were invited to watch “Bumblebee”, the latest transformer movie with the boys.  A good time was had by all, especially those that managed to stay awake.