Dia Del Niño (Day of the Child), Birthday Party and Books

Dia de Niño was celebrated at escuelas Pato de Gollo on September 9. The celebration was marked by a day of fun and games at the school. Adopting Escuelas asked what we could do and were told that what the children *really* wanted were personal care items. We made sure that each child got the wanted children’s deodorant and a large bottle of shampoo as game prizes. It didn’t seem like much of a “prize” to me but I was assured that they really wanted and appreciated the personal care items.

Although yesterday was *official* Dia de Niño, escuela Rincon de Mora celebrated the day today so that Xinia would be there to help out.
It was great fun. I was there for the “eat the marshmallow off the string” contest, sack races and pin the tail on the donkey.
The children also received small toys donated by Adopting Escuelas as prizes for competing in the various games. Prizes included mini make-up kits and jump ropes for the girls and spinning “air” tops for the boys.
The children and staff also gave me a surprise birthday party, complete with a huge tres leches cake decorated with fruit, a gift bag of chips and candy, and the performance of a wonderful friendship dance performed by the second cycle girls. All very touching and a huge surprise to me!
Read more Entry>>

Textbooks for Pata de Gallo.

Thanks to our generous donors I was able to give Aida, the principal at Pata de Gallo, 20,000 colones (about $40.00) to buy one set of books for each grade for the next school year (to replace the current very old books). The books will be purchased by Aida and copied by the school and handed out to the students. Although text books are generally taken for granted in the U.S., decent textbooks can be a rare commodity in rural Costa Rica, where most schools purchase 1 set for each grade and then copy what is needed for each student! Read more Entry>>

Cruz Roja (the Costa Rican Red Cross) teaches at Pata de Gallo School.

Last week Adopting Escuelas volunteer Andres Chaves and partners from the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) in Palmares, started a program to teach First Aid to the Pata de Gallo Community.
Over several weeks they will be teaching the townspeople basic First Aid treatments that can help to save a life. For example:
• Bleeding control.
• Snake bite treatment.
• Heimlich maneuver.
• Primary care.
• Burn treatment.
This program is teaching both adults and kids specific treatment methods for each situation.

Palmares is the closet Cruz Roja location for Pata de Gallo. For that reason the Palmares Red Cross is concerned about their situation and has volunteered their time to help the community. Pata de Gallo is a community of about 150 people that is isolated from neighboring communities. The only government facility is their school of 14 students. It is, however, a community rather isolated and stuck it in time, but with a lot of people who are willing to make big changes and take in their own hands the future and the future of their children.

Palmares Cruz Roja volunteers helping in Pata de Gallo:
Andres Chaves (First Aid Assistant)
Rolando Ramirez (Emergency Medical Assistant)
Gerald Céspedes (First Aid Assistant) Read more Entry>>

First Day in the Pata de Gallo Classroom.

This was my first experience in front of the children at PdG, and what a treat! All of the school’s 13 students were there ranging from the 2nd through 6th grades.

When I arrived the children had completed an exam covering shapes, colors, numbers and body parts – quite the wide-ranging test. All were all sitting in neat little rows watching Toy Story 3 being from Xinia’s computer being projected onto a white board with her “new” projector! They were able to have the “free” movie time because Xinia was testing each child individually to gauge their subject retention. Which, judging from there scores, was excellent.

After the movie we did personal introductions and I gave them a little review of body parts and gave them some homework to do for next week. These kids actually LOVE homework!

As a side note, an interesting comment on the isolation of the children in this community: Located only 9 miles from San Ramon, Pata de Gallo is quite isolated. There are only a handful of cars and TV’s in this community of about 150 people. There are no stores in town and the most of the people walk to the nearest store several miles away. The reason that Xinia chose to show Toy Story 3 was that she was sure that the most of the children had seen the previous Toy Story movies. In fact, NONE had seen them and few have actually seen full length movies at all! Needless to say, the school will be seeing a lot of the new projector! There are already plans to start a projector “lending” project. Read more Entry>>

Many Donations Received

I have received many donations in the last few days. They are much appreciated by me and the schools:

Astronomy Posters – Jeff Lockwood sent a tube full of beautiful astronomy posters. They will look great on the walls of the schools!
Classroom Supplies – Victoria Swaby, a local English teacher, donated some great classroom supplies.
Laser Printer – Thank you Frank Day for the wonderful laser printer that will be going to Rincon de Mora. A huge improvement over the ink-thirsty printer that Shirley is currently using. Frank also gave a couple of older unused laser toner cartridges that I traded for a full one that fits RdM’s new printer.
Computer Projector – This is a projector that I bought a couple of years ago and hasn’t gotten much use. I “loaned” it to Xinia to use as she sees fit and she was thrilled to get it. Something that the schools have been asking for since day 1. Read more Entry>>

Big Day For Escuela Pata de Gallo!

Today was a big day for escuela Pata de Gallo and for Adopting Escuelas. My Subaru was loaded up like Santa’s sleigh. Andres, who I fondly call my tico son, and I arrived at the school with 4 boxes of student and teacher supplies ranging from pencils and crayons to backpacks to glue to coloring books. For the cafeteria we brought a complete new set of melamine dishes and plastic cups to replace the aging ones that the children were using. Some fun stuff, too. New basketball hoops for the backboards in the play area, a bag of balls and jump ropes. Also in the back of the Subie were 3 computers.

While the teachers sorted supplies Andres and I installed one of the backboards (we left the other one for the parents to install) and set up the 3 computers. Thank you, Frank, for all the help to resurrect these computers!

All of the children stayed after school as Aida, the principal, and Xinia, the English teacher, handed out some of the much needed supplies. The kids then proceeded to play with the new jump ropes and balls for over an hour!

All in all a very rewarding day. I feel truly blessed to be able to be of some assistance to this school and to Rincon de Mora. Very rewarding! Next week I start helping out in the classroom and I can't wait.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures but all I had with me for a camera was my phone! Read more Entry>>

Visit to Escuela Rincon de Mora

Frank Day and I visited Rincon de Mora this morning. We had the privilege of bringing a lot of equipment and teacher and student supplies. All of the items were purchased with money from Raylene’s memorial fund. The biggie was a large stainless steel microwave oven, suitable for daily use in the school’s kitchen. It was something that they have wanted for a very long time! We also brought a complete set of 30 melamine dishes and cups to replace, shall we say, the “aging” plates and cups. The rest of the school and teacher supplies consisted of much used consumables like pencils, pens, glue sticks, markers, construction and bond paper and such.

Frank also brought and configured a flat bed scanner for the principal’s computer. A very useful tool that Shirley can use to make copies of documents and work sheets. Frank also took a classroom computer back to his house to repair.

I have made the commitment to visit the 2nd cycle (4th, 5th and 6th grades) classroom every other Friday to assist Xinia with her lessons. I will be generating my own worksheets and lessons to augment those that Xinia presents. First visit is on August 6 an I'm really looking forward to it! Read more Entry>>

Initial Visit to Escuela Pata de Gallo

I followed Xinia to the Pato de Gallo school this morning. Translated into English the town and school of Pato de Gallo means “Rooster Foot”.

I was greeted by all of the students with the Costa Rican traditional “air kiss” on the cheek and a handshake. I was given a tour of the school inside and outside to get a feel for the layout and condition. I was very pleased to see that the school is in excellent condition. Two years ago the entire school was refurbished through the efforts of an international cultural exchange program.

I met with the teacher/principal and Xinia for nearly two hours discussing the makeup of the town and its inhabitants, the needs of the school and what I thought to be realistic goals for Adopting Escuelas.


The town is comprised of roughly 150 inhabitants comprised of only five separate family groups. The town’s entire economy is centered around the coffee business. When that business is active there is work – when there is a lull in the business there is no work. The closest town of any size is Palmares, about 5 miles away. There is a small “pulperia”, or corner store, in Berlin about 3 miles away. There are nine cars/trucks in town but most people walk everywhere.

I have three computers that I will be taking to the school next Monday along with lots of school supplies and anything else that Xinia and I find appropriate. It was decided that the entire town will have access to the computers as they will be the only computers in town! Aida will apply to the local telecommunications company for internet this week.

It seems like a fascinating place to volunteer and I’m really looking forward to our agreed upon every other Friday visit!


I have arranged to visit the school on August 9 to install computers and basketball hoops! Read more Entry>>

Raylene K. Scott Memorial Children’s Library Dedicated

Today Dave and the entire staff and student body of Escuela Rincon de Mora participated in the dedication ceremony for the Raylene K. Scott Memorial Children’s Library. A total of 133 books and 35 videos were placed in the wooden bookcase that had been donated by VFE. The books included a nice mix of Spanish and English and English/Spanish early reading books, A beautiful plaque, hand stitched by Barbara Randall, was also placed in the bookcase. A special thanks to everyone that donated books and to Barbara, they are all very much appreciated! Read more Entry>>

A DONATION WAS RECEIVED TODAY!!!

A donation of consumable school supplies plus *extras* was received today – THANK YOU R.E. Read more Entry>>

Changes in staff at RdM

Tomorrow is Milagro’s last day. She has been an awesome acting principal.
Shirley was missed by everyone while she was gone on maternity leave and her return is being looked forward to!
Xinia, the English teacher, is having minor surgery this Thursday and has taken a leave of absence for a month. When she returns English education at escuela Rincon de Mora will resume. Read more Entry>>

A DONATION WAS RECEIVED TODAY!!!

A donation of a wooden bookcase, delivered and installed at RdM was received today - THANK YOU, V.F.E.! Read more Entry>>

A DONATION WAS RECEIVED TODAY!!!

A laptop computer and carrying case was given to the principal of escuela Llano Brenes for his use at the school!!! THANK YOU F.D. Read more Entry>>

A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!

A box of donated items “for the children” (para los ninos) was given to the principal of escuela Llano Brenes today!!!THANK YOU M.W. Read more Entry>>

Dave back to RdM

Dave took the mouse and set of speakers one of the computers was missing to RdM today, along with 65,000 colones in ‘silver‘ coins ($12.00) to buy English curriculum ‘stuff’ and.a box of donated items “for the children” (para los ninos)!!! Read more Entry>>

Starting a library

I wrote a broadcast email to the local gringo community requesting that a bookcase be donated to be put in escuela Rincon de Mora. We already have 100 or so children’s picture and reading books to start a small library.
In the email, I also asked that - if they or family/friends where coming from the states, to please consider bringing back children’s picture and reading books (preferably in Spanish or ‘Early Reader’ English). They would be SO appreciated!
We see this library as a way to encourage reading and instill the pleasure obtained from it, along with a great way to introduce the world and expand the minds of young people! Read more Entry>>

Dave & Frank to RdM

Dave and Frank Day went to escuela Rincon de Mora to install computers, configure a network and connect all of the computers to the internet. Frank had previously updated the computers to Windows XP, added memory, 2009 Encarta (Spanish version), anti virus software and installed general Windows software back on 11/14/09. Since then, Dave had loaded and tested all of the English software and prepared the computers for installation.
Today, Frank configured the network for internet connectivity (3 VFE-provided computers and 1 computer owned by the school) while Dave setup the VFE computers. He took and set up the VFE supplied wireless router and "Skype" headsets that were given last November. It was discovered that the school had not been provided with DSL (Acelera) as originally thought, but actually is a type of WiMax.
They ended up short one functioning mouse and set of speakers, but Dave will take them up next week (Frank had supplied us with several sets of speakers and mice several months ago).
Milagro, the pricipal, was thrilled that she had the computers back and was able to get the children to use the internet!
Thank you, guys!!! Read more Entry>>

The School Year Begins Today

The 2010 school year started three days late due to the presidential elections on Sunday, February 7th.
Xinia is working on Thursdays and Fridays at escuela Rincon de Mora this year. She said that there are 2 girls making up the 6th grade class and 5 new 1st graders.
Milagro will remain the principal until Shirley returns in a month. Read more Entry>>

A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!

A donation of consumable school supplies was received today – THANK YOU M.W. Read more Entry>>