Got to love that.
Yesterday's activity with the afternoon class was a lot of FUN! We did a kind of improve act, props, "wigs" (If you can call what we used wigs) and towel costumes:-) The girls came up in groups of 4 or 5 and played out scenes as la seno Johanna narrarated how they were supposed to act. I played the part of a teacher in one scene, la mama in another and Dona or lady in another. WE laughed to the point of tears, Johanna included! The girls had to cooperate inorder to execute the scenes, and they were role playing home situations- with one of them assigned to be the less cooperative or troublesome one.
I am slightly disappointed because this coming saturday I was planning on visiting a sunogouge with a friend. I have never been to one before and this would be especially interesting because its (congregation?) is comprised of descendents of German Jews who fled during early and mid 20th c. but who now consider themselves "guatemaltechos." However, when Jill, the volunteer who I was planning to go with, contacted them they drilled her about which synogouge she attends in the states as wll as the name of her Rabbi, and contact information so they could do a kind of background check. Not only that but she had to fax in a copy of her passport a couple days in advance of going for proof of identity and residence. whoa. it's easier to leave the country! While infront of many public buildings, banks, schools, grocerystores, atms and all around the city are armed guards... including at the entrance to Camino Seguro (manytimes with intimidating looking good sized machine guns) and all are safety measures... I don't quite pass the background check in this instance.
The morning class was.... difficult today. The students are all such great individuals.
But, atleast to me they seemed especially, as I said, difficult today. There was a big thunder and lightning storm in the afternoon and downpour, and I always feel like the kids are charged in anticipation of the electricity in the air.I am trying to figure out a way to help them take the time to discover their own passions, talents, and seek to make their world a little better. The time i value the most is when I get to talk to the kids individually. When we run errands, go get the snack, or carry back cups to wash them it is nice to just chat with the students about their interests, families, and day. 
There are always some really cooperative hardworking students who really want to make something of themselves. One student in particular is especailly hardworking and his english skills are impressive. He goes to "english table" to practice during lunch and is always asking me questions during class.
This morning he spoke to the class because not all the students are respectful to him. I am glad that he was confident enough to address the situation in front of the class and we led in to a discussion about tolerance and respect towards students. Danielo is very friendly, optimistic, and out 
going. He did not seem to have any bad feelings toward the other students despite the poor treatment, and expressed a desire to get along well with them. I see good things for his future.
All the students are gifted, and have very strong personalities. Individually they have really grown on me... So I have posted pictures of a couple of the students. It is just when they are in a group it can be, as I said, challenging. I want these kids to not have to be afraid that if they invest themselves, their hearts, and their minds that they will be left empty handed. I feel like sometimes the reason they don't dedicate themselves is because they think "whats the point" That is a challenge faced by people of all ages, but the vultures of the Guatemala city dump are so close to the project, you can see them from the second fl0or looming, that it seems like a constant reminder.
Like, Feliciana, one of the girls borrowed my camera and took a couple pictueres of herself and the outside. This is ...
her view. I keep trying to get inside these kids heads, because it feels like if I could understand more completly, than maybe I would have something more to offer.
At the same time I recognize that they don't neccesarily understand themselves. I forget whether or not I have mentioned this, but the students perception of themselves at the project is interesting. Like at the project the first internet site that pops up is http://www.safepassage.org/. On that there is a picture of students in school uniforms walking in front of the dump. Today when I was helping a student look up vocabulary words on an online encyclopedia she teased one of her class mates "Ay, Margarita, eres tu cuando estabas pequena" saying that the picture was of her friend when she was small. The sometimes look through the newsletters, sponser sites, or publications pointing out pictures of eachother, cousings, siblings, and friends featured.
But it is hard to believe I only have one week left. I keep reminding myself that I don't have time to think about the things I can't do so I might as well concentrate ALL my energies on doing what I can, when I can. But that can be difficult a veces.
This is some of the girls in my house doing dishes (obviously i was slacking off at this particular moment playing pappratzzi). Kim only has four weeks left, but her boyfriend left yesterday.
They met at the project and weh was really upset when Mike had to leave. He had been working at the project too. All this leaving- waaa!
However, many more are coming too. Right now we have a FULL house at my homestay, as four highschool boys from California will be here for two weeks doing volunteer work at the hospital and for the environment. I wish I could have done some sort of service project like that when i was in highschool!
PS sorry for horrible spelling, but I rush (internet costs quetzales here), and spell check doesn't work in english. (thats no excuse for having bad spelling its just a disclosure/ apology)
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