In order to take a shower, I have to turn a little knob just above the washing machine which is outside. Then, I will get lukewarm water.
After dressing or before, I usually have a breakfast of a chocolate grainy thing and milk. Rosa calls it granola. There is a problem with meals, in fact. Rosa's sister in law has had trouble delivering her baby, so Rosa and Angelica have been spending the day with her. Also, Rosa confided in me that the amount Alfredo (the organizer) has given her is "not enough". For either of those two reasons, food has been scarce. When I arrived the fridge was bare. As of now, she has not provided more than 2 or 3 meals. I fend for myself. In fact I don't mind, because then I manage to eat the things I prefer. I sometimes eat at the "Fondation". Most meals consist of a carbohydrate (rice or beans) tortillas and some other thing not usually meat and a sauce.
My day is made up of a morning of studying or a morning at the "Fondacion" a home for street kids. If at the latter I am counseling young boys. If it is a study morning then I am working in the afternoon with an 18 or 19 year old who is passionate to learn English.
Pro Chavos is the name of the foundation. It is part of a foundation made up of a number of smaller locales such that the children are in a family-like situation. Where I am working is a lovely compound of grass, trees and a wonderful ambience. There are "corales" one containing 3 adult sheep and 2 babies, another containing all 2 turkeys, a few geese, ducks, chickens, hens, and rooster. There is a large plastic covered area, about the size of my house, which is devoted to hydroponic vegetable farming. Along the front wall of the compound is a fish hatchery pond along side of which are 4 or 5 turtles. The house is not very big. It contains a kitchen and bedrooms where the boys sleep in bunk beds, four to a room. Most of what is done, including what I do, is done outside on a large lawn, under the shade of beautiful big trees.
To see more, check out the website: Pro Chavos a.c.
The trip to and fro consists of a walk down a hill from Rosa's gated community to a bus that comes every 5 minutes or so. I clutch my 8 pesos to hand to the driver. The ride a sVERY bumpy one, some distance, until we get to a stone wall which is my cue to say "para por favor" and off I get to start the trek down a steep hill, across a bridge around a corner and up a very steep hill, past a hospital down a street along 12 foot cement walls until I get to a metal blue door. I crack open the door, say "Hola" and I am in.
Returning the way I came, I finally trudge home in the hot sun, arrive at my domicile to the barking of two small dogs who are true ankle-bitters, I mean they actually try to bite me when they are out. If I am lucky they are inside. I make it into a nice cool house, head for my room at the end of the house and take all my clothes off.
This will be my life until the end of the month.
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