Day 4 of Teaching: Red Bank Village

          Today was a wonderful day at Red Bank Christian School. I cannot believe that Friday came so fast. The students have been working hard all week with all of our teachers. As soon as we arrived, a few of us teachers decided to walk through the village. As we walked through the village we were greeted by smiling faces of students on their way to school. We also saw many pigs, chickens, dogs, and horses in the yards on the road.
          In the morning I taught math and language arts. For language arts, I had the students write letters back to my students in Kentucky. I learned that the students live in a Mayan community or Ketchi community. Some of their favorite food consists of caldo chicken with corn tortillas or a dish called posh. Students talked about going to the jungle to hunt for animals like the gibnut. Most of the students live in what is called a tach house and have more than one sibling. Students talked about how beautiful their school is and how much they love their teacher. Other students talked about the river and using the river to swim and wash clothes. The national symbols of Belize are the toucan, tapir, mahogany tree, and black orchid. I was so intrigued listening to their experiences they have had in Belize that we do not have back in America.
          During lunch, we had some of the families come to sell items they made such as bracelets, bags, baskets, and much more. One of the mothers there made embroidered handkerchiefs and told me that it took her seven days to make. They truly put a lot of effort and time into what they create. I bought some bracelets, a bag, and a basket that looks like a chicken.
           Today, most of us had the opportunity to walk some of our students home. It was nice to see their family, what their houses look like, and see how far they have to walk to school. I walked one of my students home and his mother gave me a basket she made. The people are so kind and welcoming. In a tach house, there are some hammocks to sleep. Most of them do not have bedrooms, but may have separate houses for the kitchen or bathroom.

          Lastly, we had some of the students come back that had gone to a football (soccer is called football here) to compete. Red Bank came in second place overall and the students were cheering as they got off their bus. The kids are wonderful, always smiling, hard working, and just amazing. I never realized the impact the kids would have on me. I feel that I have changed so much by understanding the life my students have. These students are so grateful for everything and I am forever thankful to have had this experience with them.

-Kelsey Clark Standard III