VILLA MARIA

It's a question of time really. So much to do when you are in a foreign country it leaves so little time for writing my blog. Not to mention having to get plenty of sleep. Where to start? I've got half an hour just now.

I'm back working in Villa Maria with Flor and the kids of INABIF. I got such a welcome from them. I can't believe that they all remember me so well. A wee girl called Naydelin handed me a letter she had written for me telling me how much she missed me and how happy it makes her for me to be back with them. It's in Spanish of course but I will try to post a photo of it soon.

Some of the older kids have left now, but new younger ones have arrived. The idea is that they get three years with INABIF, during which time they should go to school in the morning and then come to INABIF for lunch and spend the afternoon here till about 5 o'clock. This should mean they have no time left to  go to work and at the end of the 3 years their education should have improved considerably and also their general health and wellbeing.

Flor is now working on her own, as Pedro has moved to work in the private sector, so she is really busy, and the little bit I can do is a big help to her. We have access to a footie and play park as well as the room where they do home work and games and other stuff. The lunch is provided by the state. They are building a new kitchen and canteen. The meals are prepared on site and are for older folk and younger ones who live in Villa Maria. The kids of INABIF are allowed to partake too.

Unfortunately we are not able to work in San Juan now. It's not possible for Flor to cover both places. I'm hoping to be able to organise a day in San Juan so that I can meet the kids there again. I just hope the government finds the money to pay for another worker to help out.

I'm sitting in my apartment writing this and I've just felt a tremor shake the building. Blimey!!! Thats the biggest I've felt. It's a very strange feeling. I think I will head off out now and see how the world is going. I guess you just get used to these things. Will maybe post later if I find the time etc.