Farewell, friends, & fine arts

Good byes are not fun, really. . . especially when relationships are built on doing good for others. Today is Friday and it is our last day at the Casa de la Alegria. It has been decided that the day will begin with everyone heading to the bodega (storehouse where all of the used clothes items are stored). When we arrived two weeks ago, it was a mess but we have been diligently working on organizing and redistributing items and we are obsessed with leaving it is superb condition when we leave. Below you can see a picture of Allix, Jenna, Courtney, and Ronnie beginning the hot, exhausting work but we are super proud when our work is complete. We got a huge thanks from the Administrator in charge.



We said good by to our friends in Casa de los Ancianos: we played one more game of dominos, (See photo with Karyn, Courtney, Nathan, and Allix), talked with elderly friends (Claudia & Jenna), played paper airplanes with the fellows (Casey). It was sad to leave these special friends who taught us so much.







Next, we went to the elementary school where the students rushed to hug the Friends students who had taught them in their English classes. A soccer ball signed by all of the Friends group was given to the 6th graders in Miss Lucy's room.



Jean Boyance, Director General of the Casa de la Alegria, thanked the Friends University Health Science abroad group for the outstanding service and volunteerism completed over the past two weeks. We were recognized all around the facility for our cheery attitude, willingness to tackle any task in order to be helpful, and sincere care of the occupants of the Casa de la Alegria.

After lunch we met with the Rector of La Salle University, Cancun, Dr. Fernando Mainou. He is very interested in this pilot project and asked to have a special meeting so that the students could provide feedback on their impressions of the project so far. He also accepted in writing the kind invitation of President Arant for him to visit Friends University during February 2014. Vicki Ramirez de Cosio, coordinator of foreign exchanges, surprised everyone with one of her delicious home-made cakes. Then we rushed to a performance at the Teatro Cancun of classical and contemporary music of Italy. The tickets for this musical performance by the Cancun Chamber were a gift from Horacio Martinez, Board of Trustees member.



This was a long day with a variety of important experiences. Tomorrow will be spent in the countryside an hour from Cancun with the disenfranchised poor of the State of Quintana Roo.