Today the Avivara staff set out for the school of El Yalu in the back of Dario’s truck. We were eager to find out what this “event” was that the teachers had invited us to. I’ve learned that in Guatemala details are thrown to the wayside and much is left up in the air. This can either make for excitement or frustration. In our case, it was excitement.
As we drove down the driveway of the school, I was amazed at what I saw. A colorfully decorated classroom patio became the main stage for a school assembly with several guests. Marvin, the teacher who takes me to and from school on his motorcycle, was up on the stage chatting with the audience while a sound system blasted upbeat Guatemalan music. Despite being late by an hour, the show was just getting started (good thing we were all on Guatemalan time).
We were escorted by teachers dressed up for the occasion to seats next to the stage. Marvin, master of ceremonies, welcomed us and one other organization called Mano a Mano (Hand to Hand). To begin the event, the entire audience stood up and sang the Guatemalan national anthem while students marched in with the flag. Then we had a prayer. After the prayer, several classes performed. Amongst the students, there was a Guatemalan choir, traditional Guatemalan dancers, and a Rickie Martin boy group. The teachers set up to do a Guatemalan dance.
There some “technical difficulties” in the music department, but with some quick thinking by Marvin, he had the director (similar to a principal) come up at that point to give a speech to the organizations in attendance. She gave a very heart-felt thanks (something Guatemalan’s have developed into an art form). Gary, Ann, and Gustavo were given shirts as tokens of appreciation and each said a few words on the mic. Avivara has worked very closely with El Yalu in providing resources. Gustavo and Ann have both taught at the school as well. I felt very proud to be associated with Avivara and with El Yalu!
The teachers then danced a choreographed couples’ dance. Since the staff was short a few guys, several women wore the black pants and white shirts of the men. I kept thinking how special this moment was and how I would never see teachers do this at a school function in the states.
After the assembly we all met in a classroom and the teachers served rice and meat with tortillas. We passed some more thanks and quite a few laughs back and forth. Finally, we ended the day with a photo shoot of teachers and Avivara staff.
I could tell that a lot of time and preparation went into making this day special and it is a day that I will never forget. The teachers at this school are quite a close-knit group of warm and inviting individuals whom I love being around. They make a lot of sacrifices to teach at this school and deserve more recognition themselves. Thanks teachers at El Yalu!
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