The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly: School Year 1 is over!

Instead of the usual cheerful pumpkins, crisp apples, and bright fall leaves this October brought something it never has before - the end of the school year!

During my first school year, I was concerned mostly with getting to know the schools and having them get to know me.  At each of my 14 schools, I completed introductory visits, school mapping with a class or two, and formal baseline evaluations. 

With all of this time in the schools, I learned that there is a lot of work to be done, but a lot of people to help me do that work!  I have begun to identify the movers-and-shakers of each school to help me put some plans into action over the next school year (which begins in February)

So, here is where the schools stand right now:

• Many schools have to burn their trash, often right in the middle of the children's play area.
• I did not see one kid wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom.
• Some of the school kitchens create a lot of smoke which often leaks into classrooms.
• Many of the schools have gym teachers, although I have some ideas about how to make gym class more effective and fun.
• Teachers are supposed to be teaching health twice a week, but this never happens.
• A few schools lack water, bathrooms, classrooms, or faucets to wash hands.
• All schools serve their children snack every day!
• Some schools have begun to cultivate school gardens!

In each school, the Healthy Schools program, which is national, government initiative needs to be strengthened by strengthening the administrators (principals and teachers) in charge of it.  There is plenty of room for growth and plenty of people who want to see that growth happen.  I will spend much of my school break planning for the "Year of the Healthy Students" which I will roll out in my communities next year!  Much of my job is just to provide the enthusiasm to focus some of the work that happens regarding the program!

Until February, my Peace Corps service is sort of a "create-your-own-adventure", so stay tuned for some of my fun in the Health Center and with the youth of Cajolá!

Here are a few pictures from my school visits!