A long, but fun day!

Oscar came to meet me again this morning at 7.15am. We headed to the school; there weren't as many kids there today. We began with the usual relations circle where everyone learns a new rule and then I spent the day with the younger ones again learning 'w' this time.

At 9 a lady was supposed to be coming to give a chat on nutrition but she didn't end up arriving until 10! Typical lateness from South Americans. All the childrens parents had come which was cute and we handed out the fruit early to help pass time until the lady arrived. It was worth the wait as all the parents were asking questions and seemed to find the chat really useful.

After the talk we headed to the sports field for some fun games. The kids all take their shoes off and run on the gravel in their bare feet which is crazy. A guy on his year abroad from Newcastle Uni takes the sports programmes so I got chatting to him for a while. Although to be honest I spent most of the time sitting in the shade with Oscar, Helene (in the photo) and a little guy that has brittle bones.

After that we headed into town and to a vegetarian cafe for lunch and then onto La Brisa Loca hostel to meet the others before getting a taxi to the other school in Oasis. I couldn't believe that 2 taxis refused to take us because of it being a slightly dodgy area (I assume). Apart from it seeming quite poor I didn't see anything terribly wrong with it and the foundation there is lovely and painted yellow with the emblem on it. The kids definitely aren't as polite and seem quite a bit rougher with a few of them asking me for money and to see my camera but that's what you would expect after an upbringing like theirs.

I spent my time with the older ones Oscar was teaching and we were learning about interviews and asking questions today. It was funny seeing how shy the kids turned when they had to sit at the front of the class in pairs and asking questions. It was also crazy and slightly heartbreaking how some of them answered that what made them most happy in life was being able to go to school and learning English. Also I couldn't believe when we were interrupted by someone at the door and one of the girls sisters turned up with her child. She couldn't have been more than 12 or 13 years old and she spent the rest of her class with her son on her lap!

We left around 4 and got a taxi into the centre. I then had to get a bus out to my hostel as its slightly out of the centre but the hammocks and big pool make up for this. I am shattered after the early start and constant work with children but I only just had time to chill on the hammock for an hour and order dinner as there's going to be a quiz tonight at the hostel to raise money for the foundation. I am waiting on Oscar to arrive as I write...