Day 13, March 7, 2009: Blue Creek, Community Service

Today was a rainy day, but the day when we had planned to do community service at the school. So, after breakfast (and a particularly heavy rainstorm), we head out down the path in our ponchos and rain jackets to the school. At the school, we helped by working on the grading of the field in front of the school which had a hill of rocks and dirt that needed to be moved. Others worked on cleaning up some garbage around the property. Some also worked on building bookshelves with Greg. Patty supervised the planting of some royal palms in front of the school and some coconut palms around the side and back. Other students worked with machetes to clear a portion of the soccer field. We were proud of our work and felt we made a difference.

- Linda H.

The community service day was one of my favorite parts of the trip. I enjoy helping other people by doing work, so it was great. I worked with Mr. Drossel, Roberto, Alex, and Lorenzo to build a bookshelf for the community center at the beginning of the day. Luckily we had a circular saw, so we could work faster than just having a hand saw. I was able to use some of my carpentry skills.

While we worked on the bookshelf, other students and teachers worked on clearing a large dirt and rock pile in the square at the center of the school buildings. The dirt was spread out and rocks were placed strategically to fill in holes around the area. While some kids were trying to level out the land, they found a small red snake that you could hold. Also, while Matt was trying to break a large rock near the road with a mallet, he tipped it over and there was a huge tarantula that was carrying an egg sack that it was trying to protect. They removed the tarantula to a safe place.

After lunch, I was able to plant coconut trees with Olivia and Lucy L. This was nice because now I know they will eventually have beautiful palm trees all around their school.

- Cian C.