Truth on the ground

This morning Meghan and Davis, owners of the Chilamate preserve took us on a tour of the social service center that is being built-painstakingly-by local labor. Davis explained to our five 7th and 8th graders that the $2500 they have donated is deeply appreciated by local residents. A small cement mixer ground away and other men poured it out to provide the basis of a floor.
Local employment conditions are tough and even the humblest diversions for young people just aren't here in this neglected rural backwater. Drug abuse is not uncommon with teenagers. So getting a rudimentary basketball court or a place to stage traditional dances or to have meetings, even under a tarp is a big thing.
We visited a local primary school and learned that even though school is free, families whose children only have rubber boots instead of school shoes, for example, are told by teachers not to come to school. Many children do not.
We also were reminded of Briar Sauro's third grade connection which was a big hit with the local children.
Standing under the hot sun as endless diesel trucks roared past, I thought again that this world's failure to educate all children everywhere is beyond unacceptable. I don't know how much BCS students can absorb about the importance of their efforts but they have helped me keep cynicism at bay. Better to do a small thing always. A mountain range is made up of grains of rock.