It’s
back-to-school time here in Honduras. So
much fun for families – and us too! Kids have been out of school since November
and they are ready for a change. I’m
sure there’s lots of mothers that are ready too! For the past few weeks the tiendas have been
bulging with colourful backpacks and workbooks, and sporting hangers of
uniforms fluttering in the breeze. In
the next few weeks, schools will be bulging with kids wearing these colourful
backpacks and fluttery uniforms.
We know
that parents want their kids to go to school.
But, if the child doesn’t have the mandatory uniform, black school shoes
and backpack, the school will send the child home. This is the same for many
countries – but knowing this doesn’t make it any less frustrating to those who
recognize that quality education hasn’t a lot to do with show. For several
years, we have assisted the children of the church with a start on the amount
of money needed for back to school. With
the changes we have made in our mission focus, we feel directed this year to
provide more for the families God has put directly in our path. For some, this means providing money to be
used to make purchases knowing that the money will be used as intended. For others this includes a trip to a store to
make purchases. 
Like
back-to-school in North America, there’s an excitement with making all those
special purchases. Many families load
into the mini-bus to head to downtown Coxen Hole, hoping to get the best variety
and bargains. Both are found along
Market Street and the side street that I have never learned the name for. For me, these stores remind me of a flea
market with vendors waiting to entice you to stop and buy. I can never get the
same good prices as some of our friends do in Coxen Hole, so usually shop in
the Colonia at a tienda where I am known and get a discount.
If you are
looking for name brand items, like Crayola or quality pencils, erasers, and scissors
these aren’t always easy to find and come with the price tag of an imported
item. We always appreciate those who
come to Roatan bearing these gifts in their luggage! It is really hard to study the colour red using a crayon of poor quality that is really more pink than red. However, students prefer the workbooks available
here. The covers are bold and active –
like the kids! They are also ruled inside in the way expected by the teachers.
Recently,
we have noticed the price of materials has increased. To outfit a child for school we try to
provide:
2 undershirts - 160
1 skirt or pants - 280 (approx. depending on size)
1 pr.black shoes - 200 (approx. boys’ cost more)
Backpack - 280 (approx.)
Workbooks - 200
Other supplies - 100
1540 lempiras
(This is approximately $68US$ or
at today’s exchange $96 CAD)
There are no texts provided by the
school. As an add-on, a reader can be
purchased costing between 85L to 150L depending on the grade. Most families do not provide this.
Just to put this cost into prospective – a person working full-time at a job, Monday to Friday in Roatan makes approximately 1500 L for a week.
During the past week we have also visited two schools to register for the year on behalf of our sponsors. With our partners-in-education, the Gartners, we have 8 kids we are responsible for. Registration is followed by a trip to the tailor where the kids are measured for skirts or pants.  |
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A week ago, volunteers from R-Church assisted in the distribution of
school uniforms, shoes and backpacks provided by donations to the children of
Special Treasures – The Dump Ministry. It is very rewarding to see the huge
smiles, hugs and thank yous from the kids and their parents. These are gifts
for families who bring home approximately 300-400 L per week for their
families. Without a doubt, 50 students
are going to school who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend.
