March-April: It appears that the window bars are at a stand off. No one knows how to get some action on the project. Problem solving has lost its appeal. The junta is now asking to put a fence along the road to keep out the animals which wander and come into the school yard to eat the plants and shrubs. Our new teacher, Geovany, wants to plant several fruit trees. Playing in the school with barb wire fence strewn around has not been very safe for the children. Guests who visit the school continually comment on its danger as they step around broken pieces. An English speaking neighbor woman has volunteered to teach English 2 times per week. The children really like her and she has been responsible in her attendance. Let's hope this will last for a long time and English learning can happen. When I visit the class there is always curiosity with English words.

May: Books and school supplies continue to be donated to the classes. We even had a Frisbee maker demonstrate and gift the children with their own "mini" Frisbee. Our guests at Lapa Rios are so generous. The donation of primary level reading books is phenomenal. If only I had more time to create a proper lending library system so the books could go home. The children and families could have a "hands on" experience with a quality book... Good news for our neighbors. Geovany is teaching late afternoon classes to the adults. He has 5 who come daily for an hour, none having learned more than writing their names. They are proud. Additionally, he has other adults who are at various levels and want to complete the graduation requirements from grade 6. Now, if only we had some electricity to run some light bulbs. The gray afternoons are becoming difficult on eyes and slow down enthusiasm to learn.
11 May: Our teacher uses creative thinking, conversation, promotes listening skills, etc. in his teaching method. Because he doesn't write the day's lesson on the chalk board to have the children transfer the words into their copy books he is being called to task by the parents. What is education? This same question bounces all around the world in classrooms and board rooms... why should it be different in the Osa? Repetition versus critical thinking. Are we ready?

12 June: The junta has asked me to help them design the chain link fence and gates that need to be put along the main road. In this way the neighbor's horses will not be able to come into the school grounds and nibble at the newly planted trees plus the school will finally gain a defined border. Supporting the teacher-childrens' tree planting and commitment to their environment is a move in the right direction. Many parents are beginning to talk about the need to keep the trees of the Osa in the ground. Wow, demonstration and conversation can be powerful forces for change.

26 July: The chain link fence was constructed (without electricity for soldering) with the gates built in San Isidro. After successfully finishing the fence and before the contractor left to return to San Isidro the junta requested the drainage ditches to be covered with concrete. A move in the right direction because already the children had been finding the little hills a tempting place to slide and play, to the destruction of the ditch. The improved concrete ditches channel water away from the school. With this improvement some of the parents came to assist in the clean up of the school yard. Amazingly, we're still finding construction materials in the tall grasses. Patience...

2 August: And there was light... We now can see in the classrooms, in the activity building and the teacher's house, everywhere in the Carbonera School there is light!! "Solar Bill", a fellow Minnesotan, finished installing the solar panels and turned on the power (having given detailed instructions to the teacher regarding maintenance). How those of us from other places in the world take electricity for granted. The adults class will grow as the word spreads.
22 August: What a marvelous celebration! Our teacher and the junta organized a fiesta where John and I were thanked by the community for the continued help in building the school. The day brought me a warm feeling; especially after 7+ years and the many times I've shed tears over the stumbles "developmental and community education" has gone. At the party we talked about future dreams: fresh paint for the buildings, a storage shed, maybe a computer for the children (who was that guest from the Apple Computer Company promising a computer for the classroom?), grass for the playing field, a tape deck, etc. How refreshing to see the future in the eyes of the parents.

8 Sept.: Tomorrow is "The Day of the Child". Danilo, one of our guides and our "resident artist", has constructed a 4 foot scarlet macaw pi–ata for the school party. Sharing. We're proud of him.

4 Nov.: Geovany and I talked about teaching responsibility through school supplies. We concluded that future gifts of personal school supplies could be purchased rather than given to the children. (Money gained will buy more classroom supplies.) Education leads to independence, not dependency on donations. Grass chopped along the fence, the classroom swept, various chores around the school can have a value in exchange for a pencil. Or, parents can send money with the childÕs eraser. Becaue of the difficulty getting supplies the gifts have been welcomed. However Geovany feels it is time to begin a new direction in teaching.

The continues rains have shown the roof to be in dire need of repair and new paint. LetÕs wish for more gifts of money to hire this project done during the upcoming months of vacation. Also, the junta wishes for the walls to be painted and a bodega built to store building supplies, wood, block, etc. How wonderful to consider we could gain the 2nd classroom if the storeroom were built.

The National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. has a fourth grade class creating a project entitled, ÒYou tou-can make a difference.Ó As a service and learning project for their next 8 years they wish to work with the Carbonera School. I can only imagine where possibilities are-for both schools to learn.