December 7 to 22-'Good Deeds Done' in Salinas

On December 7^th at 9AM we had the graduation ceremonies for our English learner students. For the past five weeks, volunteers of both gringos and Ecuadorians had been teaching basic conversation English to beach vendors, jet ski operators, fishermen and local restaurant and shop staff- everyone who wanted free lessons was welcomed. They had been organized by one of our gringas, Mary, plus the capitan of the local coast guard. Everyone, teachers and students, received a certificate.

http://www.armada.mil.ec/culmino-curso-de-ingles-en-salinas/

                                              My student Jose receiving his certificate

                                                                      Many more

And the teachers also got their certificates

This was definitely worthwhile for both students and teachers- I learned more Spanish than my student learned English-LOL- and new classes for other students will be carried out next year.

That week we also had a Christmas gift wrapping party. Many of our Women’s Coffee Klatch came to Bab’s house to wrap the presents we had bought for the 86 children of Buene Fuerte school- one of the people of Salinas’ Christmas projects. We were very well organized- some correctly assigning name to present, some wrapping, and others placing the beautiful names tags done in Calligraphy by Lorraine on each gift. And others stuffing the 86 Christmas stockings.

                                                                  Most of the group

                                                              Much fun for all involved.

                           The organizer of both the wrapping party and entire gift/lunch giving event, my amiga Babs

The actual Christmas party, lunch and gift giving was held on December 12^th. Two buses supplied by the Guardia de La Costa loaded with these presents, cooked turkeys, and condiments plus many of my friends and Papa Noel left for the school to arrive in time to serve lunch.
Another Blog written about the same wonderful day- http://jtm5503.blogspot.com/2013/12/papa-noel-and-elves.html

                                      You can see that the children were delighted.

                                          And the adults who made and helped serve the delicious lunch

                                                       Isn’t this what Christmas is all about!

Many of my friends and I went to see the students from Fundacion Gabriel in Salinas will perform "La Cenicienta" (Cinderella) at the Salinas Yacht Club on Saturday 12/14 at 11am. 
The performers spend months rehearsing for their shows and it does so much for their confidence and sense of self worth when so many people attend and support their efforts.
Due to the personal attention and efforts of Fundacion Gabriel many of these young adults have the confidence to go out and find part time employment and contribute to their families and interact with the general public. What a huge difference this makes in the quality of their lives.

Here are some pictures of the wonderful performance!

The audience eagerly awaits

Beautiful costumes!

So well done and much enjoyed at the full house audience!

And last but not least we also adopted a family of 49 people- 23 of them children- for Christmas. All 23 children had been adopted by my friends and donations had been received from the kind people of Salinas as well as friends and family from the USA and Canada. We had stuffed Christmas bags with gifts for all the children along with a toothbrush, writing or coloring book, pencils and crayons. Along with the children’s presents, many items of food and personal hygiene had been purchased for the entire family- turkeys, chickens, bags of rice and beans, flour, sugar, milk, juice, shampoo, soap etc etc. As well, fifty cupcakes were baked that morning by ‘Smokin’ restaurant , one for each family member plus 1 extra.

I had invited Papa Noel to join us plus two of my amigas. We loaded all the food & supplies into one truck supplied by Jose Luis and his wife and the presents went into Randy’s car along with Papa Noel and Lauri.

                                         Here are some pics of the fun occasion

                                                             Papa Noel giving out presents

                                                                        Posing with Santa

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                                           Most of the children and some of the adults

                                  And a Merry Christmas to all!