Site Spotlights: Education Mata Gorda and El Callejon

Education - Mata Gorda

Site leader: Yohana

Team Members: Carla, Taylor, Adilis, and Rachel

“To begin with, one of the first things we noticed at Education Mata Gorda was that although the children are being educated in less than ideal conditions, they are still very happy.  This has taught us to appreciate the opportunities that are offered to us in America, and seeing their happiness makes us happy because they have so little but are yet so joyful. 

In addition to the school the teacher, Yohana, has a women’s group on Thursdays and teaches them about the Word of God and how they are special to Him.  We have learned through this that God is powerful and works in many different ways, all over the world!”

Education - El Callejon

Site leaders: Joel and Apenisa

Team Members: Lauren, Brittney, Nona, Wendy

“Each day when we arrive, we start by helping clean the classroom.  Usually within 10 minutes of our arrival, the children come to school.  The children are very affectionate, and we can see that a lot of them simply want to play and receive love.  Despite the difficulty with the language barrier, we  are able to have drama skits and read Spanish books to them. 

It’s amazing, very unusual (coming from American culture), and challenging to see how independent the children are along with the fact that the older kids take care of their siblings.”