The first days after Christmas break

Well it has been exciting month! The American teachers all headed home to spend time with family and friends over the Holidays. We now have two days under our belt for the 2010 school year! Tuesday was just exciting as I thought it would be. All of the kids were really excited to see us and we recieved lots of hugs and smiles! Along with some jitters about teaching again the day was full of a reassurance to why we are all here in Sigua working for Destino. Primero is still working toward a pizza party so pictures should be posted of them soon, but until then here are some pictures of Prepatoria (Kindergarten) and Primero. Please pray for the health of the students. Today in Kinder we had 7 kids out! It is quite chilly here and we want them all to stay warm and healthy.

Thanks, Amanda
Prepatoria (Kindergarten):
Boys praying at the end of class.
Milton, Luwin, Erick, Dilver












Prepa students with their new toothbrushes!
David


Roger

Jasmin

Profe Amanda plays a review game with the Prepa kids before exam week.

Elkin eager to answer a question.

Karen, Astrid, Jasmin, and Milton paying close attention.

Wow! They were all so engaged in this game.

PRIMERO

David, Andrea, Katherin, and Cristofer (far left) are excited to be back in school!

German, Cristobal, and Rosa take time to smile while working.

Marvin, Glenda, Ana, Adony, Maritza, and Jafeth stop and look.

Eunice, Allan, Milagros, Karina N, and Oscar sitting patiently

Dominic, Marvin (the big cheeser), Diego, Reny, and Adony

Jessy

Jonathan working hard

Primero-- Learning quickly

The students of Primero seem to surprise me almost everyday! They are picking up a lot of useful English phrases and after only hearing it once are using it in class. It is music to my ears to hear "excuse me" "I am finished" or even just a "What?" The students are also piecing together sentences based on English vocabulary they know, so instead of just blurting out a story in Spanish there will be random bits of English! Since English class is right after recess, they come in telling us stories about which team won while playing soccer and who scored goals! It is a fun time to teach the students English without it being like class.
Before Christmas we will be having a pizza party! The children at a daycare in Falmouth, Ky wrote letters to the Primero students and sent us a package full of macaronie and cheese and pizza kits. So-- look for pictures at the end of the week!
Thank you for your commitment to these kids! Remember to pray for them daily-- your prayers are effective. Amanda and I have seen huge growth in all of the students, but especially in the students that we thought we would have difficulties with. Thank you and have a great time while celebrating with friends and family the birth of Jesus Christ this Holiday season!

Down on the Farm(Finca) November in Kinder

November has been a great month in Kinder! We had the chance to go on our first field trip this month! One of the fathers of our students owns an organic farm and invited us to visit. We got to see lots of farm animals cows, chickens, pigs and rabbits. He also raises coffee, tangerines, gourds, and other vegetables I'd never heard of! The students had a great time and we ended our trip with a soccer game against the preparatoria students

Mariela

Maycol has a case of the Mondays.




Jenifer

Kenia showing off her Christmas Sweater!

Scarleth, Evelyn Mileydy, Delia Michelle, Kenia, Astrid and Carmen(Carmencita)

Suany Yolani, Carmen(Carmencita) and Alexandra Michelle

Eduardo

Astrid

Osman, Delia Michelle and Delmer

Leyli

Juana

Allan, Mahonry and Eduardo enjoying lunch.

Edan Geovany, Harlin Ariel and Allan

Carlos Antonio during our field trip to a farm!

Eneyda and Profe Amanda

Sammy was the goalie during our soccer game!

Suany Daniela

Alex(prepa) and Maynor

Piglets! In Spanish, cerditos!

At the farm's library!

Fun at the Fair! November in Prepa

November has been a fun month for Prepa! We finished the 5 senses unit and moved on to fun at the fair. We also went on our 1st field trip of the year. The father of one of our students manages an organic farm and invited Kinder and Prepa to visit. Everyone had a great time. We've already started preparing for Christmas. All the student's parents will be visiting during the last day of classes this semester and we have to prepare a 'musical selection' for them! Primero, Prepa and Kinder will be singing Jingle Bells together and Prepa will also be doing a Christmas song by themselves.

Angeles Nicol

Milton

Dilver and Nelson Javier

Sindy Fabiola with her brother Delmer(Kinder) on the first day of school!

Elva, Claire and Astrid performing at the Jardin de Ninos festival.

Kenssi and Katia Alejandra performing at the festival.

Katia Alejandra and Karen

Ingrid during playtime.

Gaby

Isis with her baby sister. We took a field trip to her uncle's farm.

Roger the goalie.

Karla

Luwin

Jasmin

Karen

Elkin

Alex's father let us visit his farm!

Franclin, Alex and Maynor(Kinder)

Jonathan

Javier Antonio and Osman(Kinder)

David

Brayan

Jarol-Student of the Week!

Erick

Delmy

Carlos (Carlitos)