January 29th

Continuing....

Brilliant people where I have been - Many things here remind me of my time in Guatemala 50 years ago. I am recalling Pedro Chacach, whom I worked with in San Jose Poaquil. At the time I knew him I was amazed at how bright and creative was this man from a village in Guatemala. If he had been in the US he would be a professor or would have started a company. There are people like that here. At both UCI and Keframa College (which I still have not visited), the founders have created much out of nothing. And in spite of setbacks. Yesterday at UCI, I asked why in the new building they are building there is a wall within the outside wall. I was told that the original contractor had taken many shortcuts in the construction of the first wall, and they had to bring in a new contractor to build new walls outside the old to replace the old. All of this in a place with few resources. And not just the men. Susan Okello, the wife of Augustine Okello who "hired" me, yesterday went to give a lecture on leadership and management at UCI because Augustine is out of town.

Today's classes went well. In one, after my lecture, I divided the class of >40 into 4 groups to discuss some aspects of what I had talked about (The rights of the child). They did well and they loved it.

The teaching is all done in English, but all or most of the private conversations are in various local languages. Communication is somewhat difficult. They have some trouble understanding me and I have trouble understanding many of them. But it will get better.

Today I was told again that they wouldn't want me to ride a motorcycle (after I told them I didn't want to ride a motorcycle) because I am elderly. Dammit, I guess I'll just go with it.

Today, when I was feeling hot and I was tired, I said to myself Remember, you asked for this. For all the reasons I have already discussed. Go with it. That helped.