This is my second week working with the kids and as expected, the language barrier is such a hindurance to me.  I guess it's due to my stubborness for not wanting to learn Spanish before I came.  

 I finally went to my first Spanish lesson yesterday, taught by this guy Gabriel, after missing it twice in a row.  He's very sweet, but because I'm so set in my ways, it was hard to learn.  I'm a visual learner and those who know me, knows how I write everything down, verbatim...because I learn better when I see it, hear it, and write it.  I guess I was a challenge for my teachers when I was younger.  Anyhow, it drives me crazy not to be able to write things on a board for the kids to see. 

There are some similarities between Spanish and French and that was how I was able to get by with some of my Spanish speakers in the States, plus having their classmates translating for me was very helpful as well.  Here, I have Kathy and Anielka.  Without the two of them with me I can't fully express my thoughts to the kids about their photos and the poor kids, they are trying their earnest to communicate with me and all I can do is look and show them. 
Colochan working on his photo.  This photo was found in Explore! Thanks to my flickr friends for your support!  He was so happy when we told him the good news today.

But underneath it all, I am so grateful for the kids and their desire to learn is contagious!  I felt terrible today for showing up to class late and when Kathy and I arrived at the office, there they were.  Quietly waiting for us.  They come to class ready and eager to learn and are so attentive. They hang on to every word we say and are so bright when it comes to discussions.  We always stay way past our time and that's typical of me when I teach my kids.  I want to make myself as accessible to them as I can and I hope that somehow we can work this schedule out so that they can come in for extra help if they so desire.  Scheduling is such a conflict because each of the two groups have school at different times of the day.  One starts from morning til noon, then the second noon, til 5:00.