Something that is great about these trips is that there is a basic structure to most days. So each day can feel the same. Breakfast, clean up, solitude time, work sites, lunch, time with kids, food distribution, free time, dinner, team time. But the beauty is that with in each day there are new things, moments, to be discovered.
After lunch today we got a tour of the day care. The need here for a day care is great as many of the people in Camalu work 10-12 hour days in the fields picking strawberries and other produce. Most of the houses do not have running water. They live on $12-$15/ day. Most people don’t have an education past 6th grade because they need to start working in the fields to support their families
The day care provides a safe place for their children, as well as, tutoring, education, music classes, parenting classes and other opportunities for growth. Many parents will leave their children home, a 7 year old to take care of a 2 year old, while the parents work in the field.
The children who are here receive 2 meals a day, 2 snacks, love and encouragement as well. The children here have loved playing with the students, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
The students who were distributing food today met an older man. As they gave him the food one of our students prayed for the man. When we were done and about to leave, he asked if he would pray for us. Hearing this man pray for our students was a powerful moment.
Tomorrow we hope to finish with the concrete and the dry wall. The students have been great and have worked really hard.
