Merry Christmas - Oh Sorry – No Salary Till January – Dec. 2

Another couple of days of trudging from office to office to continue to get things in place for our school project. Yesterday, on my fourth try (Manuel’s umpteenth), we found the Educatodos people in their office. Well ... 2 out of 3. They were warm and welcoming and we chatted for an hour. Once again we our project was welcomed as they have been getting requests from the Maquilas (Sweatshops) for some such type of program for their workers and recruits.

We had hoped to walk out with a hard copy set of books, CD’s and tests for all three Grades. Whoa, Bryan, just how fast do you want to move here? They went and got a set of Grade Seven material for us to see and touch. But not take. Evidently there have been serious problems in the past with finances and inventory. So, new, strict rules in place. And an easy, one, two, three ... twenty step process to follow.

We were to go to Santa Cruz and talk with the head of the Educatodos program in Santa Cruz (they kindly gave us her name and number). She would give us a form that allowed us to be deemed a facilitator and, thus, eligible to receive a set of books. With that, we would go to a bank and deposit in the Educatodos account the purchase price. With that receipt attached to the form we could then return to the office in SPS and they could process the request. Of course, not all of the set might be in San Pedro Sula. If not, the rest could be obtained in Tegucigalpa. All these steps, of course, assume that the people will be in the office.

We began the process today. Wonder of wonders, the lady was in the office and most willing to help us out. She gave us the bank number and we hurried off to the bank here in Santa Cruz. Twenty short minutes later we were through the line up and had the money deposited and the form filled out in triplicate, signed and our copy in hand. Back to office A where the lady said that she was headed to San Pedro Sula and would pick up the materials for us. Wow. Go directly to Go and collect $200.00.

We celebrated with smoked/barbecued chicken at a local restaurant. Rather delicious meat.

This afternoon we went to the City Hall to try and get a letter of introduction to the department of Health in the area. All officials involved were out. Still batting over .500 so not to worry. While there, I met Oscar, my English speaking friend. He told me he was hoping they would get paid today so that he could buy a birthday present for his daughter who turns five tomorrow. After seeing Manuel off on the bus (we chased the bus for five blocks and, then, a bicyclist passing by saw our dilemma and sped ahead to alert the driver), I returned to Oscar’s office with a gift for his daughter. The office was in a sombre mood. Not only was the pay not arriving today, it was likely being postponed until January. The City Hall is out of money and so, minor things like City Hall worker salaries just have to be put on hold. What amazes me is that these employees continue to come to work, continue to serve the public in a reasonable fashion and continue to be civil and helpful. What a way to live.

Tonight is Game 2 of the Reál España vs Olímpia Semi-final. So, off to my favourite place to game watch – Locos Tacos. Viva Reál España!!!

Bryan