Little Einsteins

     My time in Honduras has been nothing short of amazing and breathtaking so far. The beautiful scenery, the welcoming/humble locals, the food, new experiences, and friends we have made has been incredible. This trip has broadened my knowledge on the world around me and I am forever grateful. I have loved every moment, but there was one thing I couldn't wait to experience. The experience I was awaiting most on this trip was visiting/working with the kindergarten and 1st grade class at The English Castle School in Danli, Honduras. I am going to college for Elementary Education and these are the two grades of my preference when I get into the field. This small part of the trip was going to be so beneficial for me and I was thrilled that this was going to happen.

     The day before the trip the entire group was called to a meeting outside the hotel. We all sat around the empty in-ground pool awaiting the reason we were there. The President of our group (Maria) asked us who wanted to go to the school tomorrow, just about everyone's hands shot up with enthusiasm and excitement, including mine. Then  Maria's smile immediately disappeared, bad news was coming. We were told that only five of us in the group would have a chance to go, Disappointment kicked in. There was a chance I wasn't going to be able to go and I was devastated. This was what I was looking forward to the most on this trip and I would miss out on an incredible opportunity for my future career.

     Caren then spoke up and said that everyone who was interested in going on the trip would put their name in a hat, and they would draw the names of who would be going. Then she turned and looked at me with a smile. She looked around the circle and added that she didn't want to be deemed as playing favorites or be unfair, but she wanted me to go on the trip. I was shocked and so grateful. Caren told everyone that this would be a great opportunity for me since I am an education major, and asked if everybody would be respectful and understanding of letting me go. Everyone nodded their heads unanimously with smiles on their face. I was so incredibly grateful that my group of friends were so supportive of doing this for me, even though I took up another spot on the already small roster. The rest of the members were picked and two people gave up their spots to others who they thought wanted it more. This process opened my eyes to the fact that out group has become so much closer to one another because of this trip. We are our own little Rotaract family now and I am so proud of it.

     The five of us headed out early the next day so we could arrive at the school before the children started class. We met with the Principle, Alexa Castillo, and got all the supplies ready for the three classes we would be working with. This school is for students with families who have more money then the average Honduran citizen. They have to pay to go to school and by Honduran law they have wear a uniform. They also have to start this school when they are in kindergarten and agree to stick with it because the children are taught to speak only English. They are from entirely Spanish speaking homes so it is important that all of the students start at the same age so they are all on the same level. We were going to be teaching an hour and thirty minute art class for three classes. 

     The first group was a Kindergarten class with twenty students. The project we were going to be doing with them was painting paper plate fishes. I was surprised when the children were coming outside, how polite they were. They were excited and ready to do whatever we had planned. We did introduction and told them all our names. Caren also came up with a hand clapping pattern to get the children's attention. Whenever the children heard her do this hand clapping pattern everyone had to stop talking and do it with her, then listen for instruction. We handed out the supplies for them to start cutting and painting their fish. I know it doesn't sound like that big of  a deal, but their skill level of cutting was amazing! I have observed a kindergarten class in the U.S. for my major and the students in that class were no where near this level. Paper cutting is something that, believe it or not, is something that kindergartners are tested on. The children were still playful, and at times loud, but they were very well spoken (for just beginning to learn English) and respectful. They did an excellent job following instruction and they were so excited to see the outcome of their work.

     There were slight differences with the second kindergarten group.They had two or three new students, that were hard to communicate with. They were just starting to learn English and were struggling. The school teachers helped them with the instructions, first saying it in Spanish then explaining to them how to say it in English. This class was making paper plate chickens for their project. They were also very impressive with the level of skill they had. This class got done with their project early and were getting hyper/excited to see what we were doing next. As we were trying to figure out what do to fill up the time, the children couldn't contain their excitement any longer. They started running around the tables and singing/screaming with excitement. We eventually decided to teach the the song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." This was beneficial to the students because it was fun, interactive, and it taught them the names of the body parts in English. We also taught them "Ring Around the Rosy." The children found the falling on the ground parts very funny. After we did this a couple times, we asked them to teach us one of their songs. They preformed an interactive song called, "Walking in the Jungle." I was so mesmerized by how well the students could speak English even though they have only been learning it for a year or less. 

     The last group we had was a 1st grade class of only twelve students. They had a harder project of doing self portraits. They were surprisingly more energetic then the fist graders, but their English was a lot more developed and polished. They were up to the task and produced excellent portraits. We also got done early with this group so we taught them "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" also. They found this song especially fun so we repeated it a couple more times. We also took some time to just sit and talk with them. This was important and helpful for them to converse with us and to learn new words and our accent. The time at the school quickly drew to a close and before we knew it, Alexa was thanking us for coming and invited us to come again next time.

     Words cannot fully describe how happy/grateful I wads for this experience, and a chance to do it again in the near future. This was a beneficial experience that will help me in so many aspects of teaching. I will be able to help multi-lingual/non-Spanish speakers learn English, how to work with children from other countries/cultures, and it will give me the much needed experience of simply working with kids in a school setting, which I haven't been able to do much of so far. This part of the trip was my favorite experience in a teaching setting so far and I will always remember this experience!

-Susan

Adventure time in Honduras

             
                  With the time I've spent in Danli, Honduras, my world views and understandings have changed significantly. I've experienced more than I would have ever imagined. It goes without saying that within the first few minutes of stepping within the country, the culture shock I experienced was more than I could imagine. School buses with 22' chrome rims and colorful neon lights swerving through the streets was just the beginning. The smells I inhaled re-enforced the realization that I was no longer in America. Wild chickens and dogs roamed every street corner with Honduran Natives on mopeds crazily dodging them and every person who was outside. I love what I have lived so far here. The weather topped it off as we transitioned from a what felt like a blistering negative 20 degrees in New England, to sunny skies and palm trees in Central America where it was rare to drop below 80. It came to my surprise how much my Spanish classes at Castleton helped me with the existence of an extreme language barrier. The technology I was so used to within the states became little used to me as the my cellphone had little use.

                I've made friends with so many people here that I find it hard to believe I will be back in Vermont within the next few days. My good friend here works at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center we helped paint, his name is Charlie. Charlie helps teach the local addicts and alcoholics psychology. The people who stay there were scary at first, but we came to find out that they were actually very nice. What was scary though were the streets of downtown. Walking with a group of white Americans, we stuck out like a sore thumb where every Honduran turned their head for a second look. I think what I liked most about the natives were the women. The women are so beautiful it made it hard for me to not try and get all the numbers I could, haha. Within these last couple of days we will be helping out the poverty stricken town and schools by giving them the Vermont donations we received. I look forward to the upcoming days and what adventures they hold. What I don't look forward to is the 100 degree climate change we will experience with out return to the states. Overall, I think its fair to say I love Honduras.

Our work site 

My friend Charlie 

Visiting San Marcos Abajo 

Elise and I after painting the rehab center 

My Honduran girlfriend 

- Charlie

First Day of Work

Beauty Can be Found in the Most Distraught Things

           After an exasperating, 180-degree turn for the runway, we finally landed in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Having gone through so many delays, cancellations and set-backs, I know that our amazing team was thrilled for the adventures in store, but something was different; we were not our loud, fun-loving selves; we were quite, speechless and anxious. We were amazed by our surroundings, not truly understanding where we were and what we were doing; it had not hit us yet.

            Finally getting through the check-in line, we walked down aisles to get our Visa, then immediately ran to gather up our luggage. Again, we were tense; not ourselves. Finally having made it through the chaos of the airport, we all loaded up into the bus that was waiting for us down the busy street. We were amused by the warmth, having left winter in Vermont, and loaded into the bus. We all exchanged our cash into Honduran Lempiras, and were on our way. As we drove through the city, taking pictures of everything, from a local gas station to the mountainous abyss that presented themselves to us on both sides of our bus. We were still in shock.

            Getting closer to our final destination of Danli, Honduras, we began to pass homes (more like shacks) much different from the city. These homes were built of random stones, pieces of wood, metal, you name it! It was poverty unlike anything any of us had ever seen before; it was mind-boggling.

            Continuing on with our journey, still snapping pictures left and right, we finally made it to our destination. As we pulled up to our beautiful hotel, everything began to feel a little bit more real; we were walking into what was going to be our home for the next four days. We got settled into our rooms and took some time to relax from our travels. Realizing that we had not eaten since the plane ride, we decided to venture into the hotel kitchen where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner, prepared for us by one of Danli's own. It was amazing! We were all left full from dinner and decided to call it a night, shortly after sorting out the many donations (10 suitcases full!!!)  that made the long journey with us.

           Waking in the morning (Thursday), we were all still quiet, sore and tired from our long journey, but that wasn't going to stop us from getting to our early breakfast. We were all excited for our first painting project that was directly after the meal. We finished up our breakfast in a hurry and followed Doug and Caren, just two of the many amazing Rotary Leaders, to the painting job-site. The project involved painting a recreation room and outside wall at a local Danli rehabilitation center for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addictions. Upon arrival, everybody was quite, speechless and anxious; we didn't know what to expect. We walked into the large, one-roomed building that was in an obvious need of a face lift, and were put right to work. At first, we seemed hesitant and painted slowly, but as time went by, a bomb went off; we were ready for the work! We all put or heads together and began painting like mad men and women, never taking a break until lunch time. By lunch, we already had half of the large room painted, and after lunch, we almost finished the entire project, both inside and out. It was amazing. Walking back and looking at the positive change in the building's physical appearance was extraordinarily rewarding. We all looked at the once quiet, almost sad-looking residents, both in and around the building, and saw different faces than the ones we originally saw in the morning. They were bright, cheerful and extremely appreciative, giving us smiles of gratitude. We were all filled with joy, and left the site as different people than when we arrived there. It had finally all set in. "We are here!," many said; "This is really happening...we are really helping these people."

          Getting ready for bed tonight, I know that we are all ready for the adventures that are in store for us in the morning. We are changed people now, with a better understanding of this world that we live in. Although our journey was long in getting to this point, and we cannot wait to continue to grow as a group, as people, and as Rotarians!          

Thank you for being a part of our adventure!

-Daniel



      
       
               

Going, going, gone

Hi everyone! We are closing the gap between us and Honduras! We've arrived to our gate at the airport and are awaiting the arrival of our plane. We are set to depart at approximately 11am...shortly after we expected. We are very excited to arrive in Honduras shortly and looking forward to a solid few days of service work. Thank you for keeping track of us you have and thank you to everyone who helped us make this happen. A couple days ago, it felt like we might never get to this point; but everyone has been great about getting through everything that was thrown at us. We have overcome almost unbeatable odds and discouraging challenges, and we have done so with every ounce of positivity that we've been able to keep with us! We are doing well and monitoring everyone's well-being with a close eye. We are that much closer to our final destination, and our trudging through the adventures has taught us valuable lessons and allowed us to grow as individuals and as a group!

Regions in our country have been experiencing bizarre and at times severe weather. This winter has been completely unpredictable and we have witnessed that firsthand. This will definitely be a trip to remember and one we will tell future generations about. How fantastic that we have been able to do this (despite its unconventionality)!

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this trip in anyway! Thank you to the families and parents who have trusted us to take care of your loved ones. I personally promise to do this with every bit of energy I have! Our club officers and trip chaperon, Caren, have been very effective and efficiently making decisions for the benefit of the whole group. I vow to make sure that everyone is safe, healthy, and have their needs met. Caren has kept an ever watchful eye on everyone, trip leader, Doug will do the same upon arrival. Strong leaders have emerged out of this experience and many lessons learned. We have all had a chance to get to know each other in a way we never thought possible and are a stronger team for it!

Updated itinerary has us arriving and settling into the hotel in Danli later this evening. Parents will be notified when we arrive, via our contacts in Castleton. After getting settled in rooms, having dinner, team meeting/orientation to Honduras, and a good nights sleep, we will be prepared for our first day of work. Projects include school construction, a non-profit painting project, and an activity with a local school. Everyone has something to look forward to and everyone will be doing commendable work to help those in need. We will deliver our donations to their destinations as soon as possible and share smiles with the recipients!

Will continue to keep everyone informed. Looking forward to warmer weather and using helping hands!

Thank you,

Maria

The adventure and the waiting game

As most of you know this winter storm is hitting the whole East cost quite significantly. Our flights on Sunday were canceled and after tedious conversations with airlines, travel insurance companies, and alternative transportation services, we decided to take matters into our own hands by booking a 24+ hour bus ride from Boston to Atlanta, GA. Our obstacles were only beginning; from being almost snowed into our hotel (with only airport shuttle running out of the parking lot), to trying to catch a bus in the bitter cold, to making the quick decision to hail taxis in subzero temps. Everyone has their own idea of what the coldest part of the trip has been, but by far the short run from taxi cab to South Station bus terminal at 12:00 am was the worst. Since then we have made several transfers from bus to bus all ten of us looking like pack animals with our multiple bags. As we got closer to our destination, worry begins to set in, as the winter storm warnings are following us! Fingers crossed that we will make our final connection in time for a 10 o'clock flight.


We are very fortunate to have some very dedicated and hard working group members who have been ever patient and resilient throughout the whole trip. We are truly lucky to have one another at this time of unfortunate situations. A million thanks go out to our support system team working behind the scenes: advisors, trip leaders/organizers, travel agents, and most importantly families have been absolutely accommodating and ever vigilant about checking in to see if we have any needs, and doing their very best to make sure those needs are met. Without these wonderful people and the very helpful and brave hotel staff, transportation drivers, etc. we would not be where we are now. The work we are about to do will be greatly appreciated by local Hondurans and will show remarkable dedication on the part of our group members. Additionally, we are proud to be bringing with is ten bags full of donated items to give to those in need in Danli, Honduras. These donations came to us from the very generous community members in our own area in Castleton. Thank you to everyone who felt called to give so selflessly; this assistance is magnifying our impact on this poverty stricken town in Honduras. Thank you to everyone who donated time or financial assistance to make this trip possible. We are about to see the outcome of all the generous donations we received. Thank you to local Rotary clubs, other local organizations, and area businesses for the donations you made to our cause! Finally, thank you to everyone who has maintained interest in our endeavor, from college community members to local newspapers, and everyone in between, we greatly appreciate this moment to shine and promise we will do everything in our power to make an impact on this needy community.

For now, please know that we are all safe and trying to keep spirits up despite the unfortunate twist of events. Cross your fingers for us that we will be able to make our flight in Atlanta with relative ease. Until next time,

Castleton Rotaract Club

The Anticipation

         As the day of departure draws nearer, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and let you know what to expect. We are a group from the Castleton State College Rotaract Club who will be participating in a service trip to Honduras, with members of our Rotary International district. The name of the trip is Hands to Honduras. This trip is very exciting because it means that the Castleton Rotaract Club is about to embark on an international service trip for the first time ever. The club has been active since its charter in Fall 2013. Since then the group has nearly tripled in size and completed a variety of projects including: Stuff-A-Van (a food, clothing, and toy drive), a partnership with local elementary and high schools to raise money for Shriner’s Hospitals, and a Castleton event that featured local professionals speaking about how they balance careers and community involvement. Since partnering with Rotarians in our district, we developed the idea to participate in a service trip, an alternative winter break. Since Summer 2014 the idea has bloomed into what it is today. After an application process, ten members have opted to join the team. Under the guidance of Team Leader: Doug, Chaperone: Caren , District 7870 Amigos de Honduras Committee Chair: Chris , and Castleton Advisor: Chrispin, and with financial support from several local organizations, groups, and community members, the 2015 Rotaract Hands to Honduras Trip has become a reality.

The group members have actively ensured the success of every aspect of this trip from the start. The work club members have already done through, fundraising efforts, soliciting donations, public relations, team building, and self-reflection is remarkable and to be applauded. The team has been dedicated from the beginning to making this trip a success and are expressing their deepest desires to make a difference in the lives of many Honduran families. I am confident that the work my peers and I will accomplish while in Honduras will touch the hearts and lives of numerous Honduran families. This group of students truly is ready to embrace whatever they may experience. For some, it is their first international trip; the real-life cultural exploration will compliment and enhance the lessons they have learned in the classroom. For U.S. students traveling to a third-world country like Honduras, the recognition of how other people live can be mind-boggling and inspirational at the same time. Team members will come in contact with some of the poorest, yet some of the happiest children and families in the world. This experience will be accepted with open arms and will provide Rotaract students with the opportunity to explore and reflect upon what they see and do.

For many of the Castleton Rotaract students, the experience will be truly life changing. As college students, we often joke about the situational poverty that we experience and how that limits our lifestyle. For the students traveling to Honduras, they will gain a new appreciation for what they have and how truly fortunate they are. Additionally, those who go on this trip will experience a renewed dedication to service work and experience first hand how much of a difference they can have on individuals and how they can impact those around them. This is a deep exploration of personal agency and allows liberal arts college students to recognize and appreciate their ability to make both small and big changes in the world around them. The knowledge that an individual can have an impact on others is what causes leadership to emerge, encourages those involved to continue making a difference in others’ lives, and enhances their sense of personal agency, while broadening their world-view. Students will gain a recognition of their place in the world and an enhanced sense of empathy and compassion for others. These goals are ones that Castleton has for all of its students. The members of Rotaract are happy to be able to personally reach them as well as share their experiences with others. As a part of the trip experience, Rotaract team members will be responsible for blog posts and daily reflections, as well as putting together a presentation for the college community and several other community partners when we return. This is a fantastic way to ensure that this trip has numerous benefits for the participants, the Honduran families, as well as providing a learning experience for individuals who were unable to join us.

          This project is an opportunity for Rotaract members to learn about and understand social problems that exist in another country. It is also an opportunity for students to give selflessly of themselves in order to benefit some of the world's neediest families. Rotaract recognizes its mission to provide service for those in need, as well as help club members to become better, well-rounded individuals through personal advancement. 
         Members will be compiling pictures and ideas to share with you throughout our trip. Your tour guides for this week are: Maria, Neil, Danny, Charlie, Elise, Shania, Suzie, Emily, and Rosie. We look forward to sharing our experience with you. So sit back and enjoy the ride; we know we will!