The day began with breakfast at Martha’s Kitchen, which gave us time to get organized for a busy day ahead. After eating, we returned to the hotel to gather the donations and supplies that had been prepared for the school visit. Soon after, Aide and Orlando picked us up, and we began the drive to the local government school in Santa Elena. Once we arrived, we started setting up for the activities we had planned with the students. Our education stations were arranged and everything was prepared before welcoming the children.
The morning was organized around three interactive stations that focused on different health topics. Sadie and Esme led the healthy eating station, Melissa and Sara focused on hygiene education, and Gabriella and Perly taught about the importance of exercise. Each station had about twenty children, and the groups rotated so that all of the students could participate in each activity. Sadie and Esme guided a coloring activity that helped the children learn about nutritious foods in a fun and creative way. Melissa and Sara organized a game called “germ tag,” which demonstrated how germs spread and why proper hygiene is important. At the exercise station, Gabriella and Perly kept the students active while discussing the importance of physical activity, safety, and taking care of their bodies.
Spending time with the children was truly the highlight of the morning. They were incredibly friendly, energetic, and curious, and their excitement made each activity even more engaging. Although we came prepared to teach them about health and wellness, it quickly became clear that we were learning from the experience as well. Their enthusiasm and openness created such a welcoming environment that it often felt more like a shared experience than a formal lesson. Many of the students were eager to participate, ask questions, and share their own thoughts.
We took a short break before the students continued rotating through the stations until the end of the morning. By that point our voices were definitely feeling the effects of explaining activities and laughing with the children, but it was completely worthwhile. Before leaving, we presented the principal with the donations that had been brought. These included crayons, markers, colored pencils, books, toys, and dental hygiene products. Seeing how appreciative the school community was made the moment even more meaningful. It was rewarding to know that these supplies could support the students and their learning.
After finishing at the school, we headed to Chicken Express for lunch. There was a grocery store next door, so we spent a little time exploring before returning to the hotel. Once we got back, we began getting ready for the afternoon cultural presentation, which focused on Garifuna drumming and dancing.
The presentation was both fun and very interesting. We learned about the history of Garifuna music and how important it is to the Garifuna community and their cultural identity. Demonstrations were given, and we even had the chance to participate in some of the movements and rhythms ourselves. One of the musical styles that stood out was Punta rock. The rhythms were lively and energetic, and learning the story behind the music made it even more meaningful.
Later in the afternoon we returned to the hotel and spent some time preparing for the next day’s community health event, where donations collected from the Georgian Court University community will be distributed. (Thank you to all that gave!) We organized portions of medicine, vitamins, and floss into small plastic bags so they could easily be handed out to anyone who might need them. After this preparation, the rest of the afternoon was free time.
After such a full day, it was nice to relax and reflect on everything that had taken place. The day was not only about teaching but also about connection, cultural learning, and shared experiences. Spending time with the children reminded us that learning can happen in both directions, and that some of the most meaningful lessons come from the joy, kindness, and perspective of others.
Credit to Esmerelda Pacheco who wrote almost the entirety of this post.