After the walk down the paths that criss-cross through mountains and rice patty fields, the kids settle into their seats. When the kids make it to the school they socialize, play marbles, share snacks then wash their hands and feet before class. The small pales hanging from the desks are their lunches. The lunches typically consist of rice, some greens and possibly a protein source. Fish is the most common and pork is a favorite but is not enjoyed very often.
You might have noticed that not all of the kids have a lunch or slippers for their feet. The teachers often provide meals to students that they prepare at the school. I think of it as a grass roots version of the “free lunch” program I used in elementary and high school so I could have lunch. The teachers also do their best to provide slippers for the kids when possible.
The classrooms are small and colorful on the outside, painted in bold primary colors. At this particular village all of the rooms had concrete or tile floors. However, they did not have windows or safe roofs. A local architect and fundraiser led us to this village to asses the stability of the structures with an intent to repair and update the classrooms.
On this day we provided gift bags of slippers, blankets, dry goods, cooking oil, non-perishable foods, spices to every family and 10 unpoppable futbols and school supplies to the school.