I'm a godmother!
Trip Start
Jun 16, 2005
1
30
46
Trip End
Aug 2006
San Jose,
Costa Rica
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Well, things have been business as usual since returning from Nicaragua. I have a new helper, Amy Evans, who is here doing her Master of Social Work internship with ISL and is here to go to language school and help me with the kids for three months before heading to work at CICRIN (the orphanage on Ometepe) in Nicaragua for another three months.
Veronica asked me a couple of weeks ago to be godmother to both Ruth and Esteban. Gonzalo is the godfather, and both children were baptized today. So, now I have the right to spoil!! =) I'm excited.
Veronica has just found a job for two days of the week, cleaning the house of an American who is paying her about $12 per day. It's not much, even in Costa Rican terms, but at least it's something. If she can find another job to fill in the other three to four days per week, she'll be able to make rent _and_ pay for food, which would be wonderful.
Esteban and Ruth are both doing well, and Esteban has made huge strides, particularly after his last surgery in December. He's in therapy for his legs, since he still wasn't crawling in early December and turned 1 in late December, but now he's crawling, able to pull himself up, and is taking steps with help. His last surgery, which will open up his nasal passages, is scheduled for May 26. All of this, by the way, is free, since he was born in Costa Rica and all Costa Rican children have health insurance until they turn 18. Then they have to pay $23 a month. Go figure!
We also celebrated Ruth's birthday today. I hadn't really realized we were going to do that, since it's not until Friday -- I made a sour cream poundcake yesterday at Jennifer's house for the baptism, and it ended up being Ruth's birthday cake. Whatever -- it tastes so much better than anything storebought, though it would have been fun to have at least decorated it.
Marci, Victor, Stephannie and I went to Jennifer's house yesterday to have adventures in baking and make lunch together. Stephannie has grown so much since I got here, and has gotten to be quite a terremoto -- earthquake! She is, of course, curious about everything and, now that she can walk, is able to get her hands on everything she's curious about!
Well, that's all for now. Hope you all are doing well!
Peace,
Elizabeth
Comments
Congratulations!
You must be so proud to be asked to be GODMOTHER for two children! The people respect and love you.
What is with these Americans paying $12 a day for Veronica to clean their house? The going rate in the USA is $80 for 3-4 hours of work!
I've got a new project. I was asked to be a part of the team to set up a foundation for the Dearborn Public Library. We are in the process of writing the bylaws and policy sheet. Some time ago, a person left money to the libraries and nothing has been done with it. So that will be up to us to determine how the money will be spent. Then I suppose we will have to appeal to others to donate. The City seems to be strapped for money for 'extras', so the foundation might be able to help out.
Take care, have fun,
Marge Bryer