Amigos de los Niños
by Steve Perry
(Editor's note: This story was originally published in Rocking
Chair Rebels, a book of stories by RVers that benefits Escapees
CARE, Inc. CARE is a facility where RVers with short or long term
health problems may go for assistance while continuing to live in their
RV. The story is reprinted here with permission from the author, Steve
Perry. To order a copy of Rocking Chair Rebels, call 936-327-4256
or e-mail careinc@escapees.com)
Linda and I were excited about RVing in Mexico. And we were especially
inspired by all of the school supplies one group collected to help support
the school in Alamos. So, when we went to Puerto Penasco, we collected 16
large plastic bags of children's clothing and stuffed our camper shell
full.
We stopped at a little school on the edge of town. The principal was
delighted to receive the clothing and sent a gaggle of bright-eyed,
excited, enthusiastic boys and girls out to our truck to haul in the loot.
I felt like a happy Santa Claus.
As we were about to drive away, a student told us to wait and then brought
us a diploma made out in our name, inscribed in Spanish, "Thank you for
your gift of clothing to our children." We were touched by their
expressions of appreciation.
The next year, we returned to Puerto Penasco and, again, we brought
clothing to the same school. We were accorded the same glorious reception.
This time I got a little bolder and asked the principal if I could
volunteer to assist in some way in the classroom. She thought it over and
said, "Si."
Each day I went to a different class in grades three through six and
presented photos of Yosemite, fall colors, and other scenes from our RV
travels. I speak some Spanish, and I kept a list of vocabulary words in
Spanish to enhance my descriptions.
Then I would ask what words they wanted to learn in English, and they
would write them on the blackboard in Spanish. With a dictionary at my
side, I would write the English word and get the class to repeat it after
me. I felt like Robin Williams teaching the ESL class in Good Morning,
Viet Nam. I had so much fun, my cheeks ached from smiling.
The third-graders stole my heart, and I spent most of my time with them. I
would go around the classroom from time to time and give each child a pat
on the back, a smile, or a hearty "bueno!" for a good job in spelling or a
correct answer in their notebook. They loved the attention and the
recognition, and I loved giving it.
I noticed that one student, Catalina, age 10, had vision problems. I
arranged to get her glasses, which I paid for rather than wait to try to
find a Lions Club.
I met her parents and five siblings, aged one to nine, and saw the rather
primitive condition of their home. I have some handyman skills, and I
helped the father do some repairs on the house.
I also greatly look forward to continuing to teach at the school. I feel I
have gotten a lot more out of these experiences than I have given, and it's
a great feeling.
We hear about the earthquake, flood, or hurricane, and think, gee, I'd
like to help, but how would I go about doing it? Maybe just go there and
show up at the Red Cross.
copyright © Steve Perry 2001
