Empieza de Trabajo

It was my first day back on the job after the new year and things were changing at Bezaleel.  It was also the first day on the job for Julio Tzul, the new farm manager, as well as the new guardians and maintenance workers.  Julio and I walked around the farm viewing the landscape and planning.  I am amazed at the knowledge Julio possesses of both animals and plants.  He knows specific herbs to collect for the animals and companion cropping techniques to ward-off insect pests.  I believe Julio is a good leader for the agricultural department.

Julio Tzul

Mid-afternoon, I was called to the school office.  With all the changes taking place, I wondered what this request signified.  I was in for a surprise.  After wishing the office staff a happy new year and assuring them that I had eaten and enjoyed the Christmas tamales, Abolino Choc, the school director, filled me in on his reason for calling me to the office.  Bezaleel needed to hire a new English teacher and they had received many applications for the job.  One applicant had qualifications that exceeded that off all the others, however, Abolino told me, while the resume looked promising, he wanted to be sure this teacher, "conoce ingles muy bien."  (knows English very well).  Therefore, Abolino wanted me to interview the prospective teacher at 8 am the following morning.  Wow, this was not in my job description!  The interview went well and I learned this week that "Domingo" was hired as the new English teacher at Bezaleel.

Since I am one, I admire farmers... of all colors, shapes and sizes.  However, farmers who use my crops, without permission or compensation, as the foodstuff for raising their crops, are not high on my list of respected individuals.  I met up with just that kind of farmer last week.  I knew even before arriving in Guatemala that the Zan Popo (leaf cutting ants) would be one of the biggest challenges to raising vegetable crops in this area.  As we began planting vegetables, I wondered when they would make their first strike.  The peas were the first victims of these fungal farmers.  One afternoon, I noticed some peas were shorter than they should be and sure enough, some guilty ants were on the scene.  They ignored me and continued hauling-off my peas-what disrespectful neighbors.  Since they would not stop or tell me where their headquarters was, I set off following the trail.  It was difficult keeping the trail through all the undergrowth, but I managed to find the hideout some 200 meters away.  Having been told that urine kills the fungus these ants raise, forcing them to relocate, I generously drenched the cavity in bull urine.  I recommend the ants move far away from Bezaleel!

Sad peas

The ants' hideout

A new school year has begun at Bezaleel.  The students arrived on January 14 and classes began the next day.  Julio and I had our first work sessions with students that afternoon.  This week has seemed like the longest week of my time here in Guatemala!  It is a new challenge to manage 25 or more students at a time.  Cuarto, Quinto y Sexto Diversificado (10, 11 and 12 grades) work for two hours each morning Monday through Friday.  Primero, Segundo y Tercero Basico (7, 8 and 9 grades) work weekday afternoons for two hours.  Though it has only been 4 days, I already know my problem students and good students!  Primero Basico, while comprised mostly of 11 and 12 year olds, work and work hard.  They are cooperative, punctual and polite.  Segundo and Tercero Basico on the other hand, openly rebel.  They come to work late, stand around when I am not looking, back-talk, and openly show that they would rather not work and laugh at me working!  What a challenge.  The students in Diversificado are a mixed group.  Some have matured enough to fulfill their requirements, while others are more rebellious.  The next 9 months will be interesting. 

Diversificado students doing morning chores on the farm

 

I am also enjoying the different varieties of bananas my host family grows.  Last week, we had a whole bunch of little "manzanias" (apple bananas).  They have a delightfully different flavor than the "typical banana" and are one of my favorites!