This past Tuesday, Omar and I attended the graduation of the little public school in Pacaya, where we teach English classes for free every Saturday. Many of our students were graduating from the sixth grade and will be attending high school, a huge victory in a poor neighborhood where children are often put to work as young as the age of three to sell tortillas or bread. It is difficult to get parents to project a future of 12 years of education for their children, when the immediate need is for food for that day, and when many of the parents themselves only went up to second or third grade.

We passed out 18 knapsacks that we bought in the states, loaded with all the school supplies, books and wonderful treasures that they will need for a full year. The first week of January, we will give out 23 more, all to the poorest children who could not go to school unless they have these supplies. The schools do not provide anything except the teacher. Even the teachers must provide their own chalk and eraser.

A parent said to us that no one has ever come to Pacaya to give anything. This is the first time anyone has helped the children, and there were tears in her eyes. The event was so moving and fulfilling to us. Every child that we help through school brings with him or her an entire family in the journey out of poverty. What joy that we can be a part of this!

Lynn Ditchfield and Sandra Grymes are going to bring a group of people from the Vineyard down to Pacaya to help teach English and computers in this school through the ACE Martha’s Vineyard Adult and Community Education Program. For information contact Sandra at lynn@acemv.org or leave a voice mail message at 508-693-1033, extension 240.

I would love to have a huge connection between the Vineyard and Pacaya. Some Islanders have already been down to help, and Lori Perry donated money to buy 60 desks and chairs and equip the kindergarten room in Pacayita. So great!

This will be a wonderful way to see what we are doing firsthand, to participate and help change a child’s life. February is our hot and dry season , so you can be warm in your body and in your heart. Call Lynn or Sandra and help build a real bridge between our worlds.

A former longtime Island resident, Muriel Laverty lives in Masaya, Nicaragua, and sends regular posts to the Gazette about her humanitarian work there.