First day of paint!

School painting begins

It is amazing how quickly and easily I fell back into the village life after being  with my friends for the weekend. Something that seemed so scary and overwhelming last week now feels a lot more natural. Yeah I still hate the feeling of being dirty, and having flies all over me and our house, I hate the toilet, but it is familiar.

Santos picked me up and drove me up the winding road to the village. I had such mixed feelings. I was excited to go back and see the kids but dreaded the different conditions than home. For the are I actually have a nice life with my family. They try so hard to make me comfortable. 

When arriving at the school I was surprised to see some of the town people had already started to paint the base coat if the one room! It looked to bright. I was completely exhausted from the past day waiting for my sis to have her baby. They had me take a rest so that we could begin the painting.

At four o'clock we were ready to go when four people I had met while traveling over the weekend arrived to volunteer their time to my project. What a beautiful thing, four travellers were willing to just come after meeting me for a small period of time and help out for a good cause.

We had some great fun! A boy from the US and one from Europe joined me in the mural painting while an Englishman and boy from the US started the base costs of the other rooms. I could not get over how the while and Green paint lit up the rooms.

In the Nursery room we drew out some flowers that will have numbers on the, and the alphabet in clouds. Ill be honest, the mural paint is the worst paint I've ever used. It's hard to use and just a weird consistency. It will do the job and seems to be sticking really well!!! The downside was that it was harder to work with, but if it lasts longer then I am fine with that!!!

We worked until we could not see a thing more. We wanted to keep going but with the rain and dark clouds outside and no electricity it was practically impossible to continue. Also the fumes were getting g quite bad. Luckily, everyone will be joining me again tomorrow! 

Evening was the usually, we hung out, did homework, laughed, ate, and discussed family and religion. It is so different than when I first came. I've started to understand them a lot more and the same holds true for the opposite.

In the morning I took a walk with the kids to see the work in the daylight. It looks amazing. The kids were so excited and could not stop smiling. I was so proud that I had made this difference. We took a look at the other rooms that would be painted soon. What a difference! I can't believe what the difference in feeling is from walking from one I painted room to the new ones! It is such a happy feeling and it rubs off on the mood of the place :)

With the success I am starting to get more and more ambitious. The one room is practically unbearable. It is located in the end next to the squat toilets. There is a lingering smell and the walls are slowly decaying. I just can not stand looking at the kids in there. It's the worst of them all. I asked what it would take to build a new room! It is 1000 dollars and they could build a new room in nice condition. That is my new goal. My money I have donated covers the cost of paint. Now I would like to fundraise to get this class a decent room that they can breath and move in. We would build the new classroom here!

If you would like to help please donate here:

http://www.gofundme.com/3cyug0

We are already on our way!!!!

I will keep you updated!!!