Saying Goodbye

We began our day like all the rest, waking up to a light sprinkle and heading down to breakfast. For breakfast we ate rice and beans, scrambled eggs, a plantain, watermelon, and a refreshing glass of orange juice.

Before leaving for the school, we took a picture with our wonderful driver, Derek.

When we arrived at the school, we met with the construction workers and received our tasks for the day. They included removing the wooden frames from the concrete foundation, shoveling the dirt piles out of the way, transporting cinder blocks to the site, leveling the site by stamping it down repeatedly, and wheelbarrowing trash that had accumulated to the larger garbage pile at the entrance.

At 9:30, the recess bell rang and we hurried to greet the kids and spend our last recess with them. The next half hour was filled with piggy-back rides, clapping games, picture taking, hugs, and lots of smiles and laughter.

Next on the schedule came the much anticipated soccer game against the kids. All of the students who didn't play pulled their desks and chairs outside to cheer us on. Both teams fought hard and for the first time in NDA Mission Trip history WE WON!!!!! The score was 6-3 with the help of Sarah Anderson's 5 goals and Sara Kusner's 1 goal. Mr. Keiper and his solid defense of Jillian, Camille, Megan, and Mary also played well to keep us on top. Everyone else cheered the team to victory and kept the team spirit high. When the match ended both teams took a picture together.

While the game was being played, Señora Tansey, Sister Jenny, and Tania passed out the donated clothes and shoes to kids who really needed the items.

Back to work we all went, continuing the tasks we were all assigned. Mr. Keiper, Maggie, and Camille went with some of the workers to pick up the first load of cinder blocks and move them back to the worksite using wheel barrels. Moe, Ali, Molly, Sam, Madeline, and Mary shoveled dirt around the foundation to level it out and fill in the holes. Señora Tansey, Sister Jenny, Sarah Anderson, Jillian, Megan, and Sara Kusner delivered the first food package that we bought the previous day to the home of four recently orphaned boys: Kenny, Nelson, Hilton, and Giovani.

For lunch we returned to the hosting family's house for the last time. We enjoyed a delicious meal of pan-fried rice, steamed squash, a dinner roll, and Pepsi. The family was very sweet when insisted that they personally serve us and when they moved their T.V. so we could watch the World Cup while we were eating and relaxing. 

We returned to the school and split up into various groups for the afternoon. Ali, Sarah Anderson, and Sam went to the third grade classroom to finish passing school supplies, play, and talk with the kids. Sister Jenny, Moe, and Sara Kusner shoveled the trash and transported it in wheel barrows to the entrance. Mary and Megan along with some of the construction workers leveled the ground using a stomping tool. Maggie, Jillian, Camille, and Mr. Keiper got the second load of cinder blocks and brought them to the worksite. Lastly, Madeline, Molly, and Señora Tansey visited the high school classrooms and passed out the remaining school supplies to them.

At 2:30 our team took on the construction workers in a highly contested soccer match. Once again all of the students gathered around in their desks. Both teams battled to the end and unfortunately we lost 3-1 with two unlucky breaks of a PK and deflected goal. It was tons of fun and a memory we will never forget.

Following the game, the school prepared a goodbye ceremony for us. Five of the older kids preformed a dance for us and the principal thanked us for our hard work this week. The kids presented us with necklaces and recognized us for the difference we had made.

Our last act of service was passing out the remaining 9 food boxes to the rest of the families. They were all very grateful and we knew that the food would really help them out.

We finished the day saying our final goodbyes to the workers and kids we had developed relationships with throughout the week. We gave our last hugs and took photos with them before piling into the vans to return to the retreat center.

We enjoyed a cool shower and wifi before going to dinner. We had fried chicken, rice, plaintains, and a tortilla. We met for reflection and concluded the night playing card games and using wifi before heading to bed.

See you in two days! 

~The Kuzis