School Letters

Thank you to the students of Rutland Intermediate School for writing letters to the school here in Laguna. The 60 kids that read the letters really enjoyed hearing about you. They aspecially loved seeing the photos you sent! Many things that they saw and read were very new and different, so it took a good deal of explaining. Just helping them to pronounce your names was quite a challenge!
Many of you wrote about video games that you play. I don´t think the students still know what they are.
Some of you talked about in your letters about your pets, which included rabbits. The students were surprised to know that people care for rabbits in the house (aspecially since they are eaten here).
One of you sent in a picture of an amusement park with a person in a Joker costume. A student pointed out to me that it was the devil.
Many things you talked about are unknown here: skateboards, skiing, snow, lacrosse as well as many others.
It was great for the kids to know that there are many more crazy gringos like me. It was also great to show the similarities between the American and Panamanian students.
I am getting the last of your letters responded to at the moment and translating the ones that have been written. You should have the letters ¨soon.¨

Here is an example letter from a 3rd grader:

Hi

Cody Perry

E.S.M. (in your hands. This is a common way to start a Panamanian letter)

My name is Alexis Flores

I live in the community of Laguna.

I am in 3rd grade.

I like to play soccer and other games.

My favorite food is rice with chicken.

My school is small and rural.

My house is made of grass and Wood.

In my house, there are 14 people.

My teacher is named Rosaura Paz.

My dad Works in the mountains, planting rice, corn, beans and yuca. In my house, I have a black dog named Perdida (Lost) and we play a lot.

In my community, we don´t have light (electricity) but in the school, there is a solar panel and in the evening, w ego to watch a movie there.

In the community, there are latrines and a wáter system. In the past, there wasn´t a water system, but Peace Corps helped us with this necesity (note: Peace Corps did not build their aqueduct).

I say goodbye to you with much love to my new friend,

Thanks

Alexis Flores

Mrs. Rosaura Paz's 2nd and 3rd grade class writing their letters

The school cafeteria

This is the school. No picture in Panamá is complete without a chicken.

Mrs. Paz's class

Again, thank you for writing.
Jatwoida,
Chöti