The
kindergarten in San Bartolomé Becerra has been transformed! It was a tough one
because it had to be done before the 25th anniversary of the school
on August 18th and the weather wasn’t collaborating. On Friday last
week Debby Pate and I started out okay with a blue sky and barely a cloud, but
before noon the downpour started and we were soaked all the way through.
Monday
brought threatening skies but it didn’t rain till 3.15pm, so at least we got
some work done. Tuesday and Wednesday were perfect, weather-wise, but I didn’t
paint because I had promised to help with the Unidos para los Animales spay/neuter clinic I my neighbourhood.
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| Debby almost finished priming. |
Back
to work on Thursday and determined to finish, but that was a bit optimistic
even though the weather gods were with us. But at least we got the two walls
visible from the schoolyard done, so it looked great for the celebration. We
had gotten an invitation to participate in the anniversary celebrations (Mass at
the Merced church starting at 8am, then the typical “celebration” at the
school, involving many speeches, acknowledgments and election of Miss
Congeniality, Miss Sport, this year’s Queen and so on) but I reclined and
decided to go paint the third and last wall instead. I thought that that way I
would get out of the obligation, but I was mistaken. I was called on stage to
receive a diploma in acknowledgement for the mural. A nice gesture, just a
little awkward standing there on stage in my painting clothes while everyone
else was dressed up to the nines.
After
the speeches, fireworks, songs and even more speeches, the celebration was over
and soon the school was deserted while I was still working on the Beluga Whale.
Not that I was neglected: they left me with a huge piece of cake, juice and
many, many thanks.
A
few hours later, just when the sun was setting in a cloudless sky, I was able
to declare the work done.
Well,
almost done. Next week or so I’ll visit the school during the morning assembly
and talk to the students about one of marine fauna’s major threat: The plastic
bag! Unfortunately we have plenty of those in San Bartolo, scattered all over
the empty lots and streets. I hope I can convince at least a few kids to be
more aware about the problem and change their attitude.
This
mural would not have been possible without the invaluable support of some very
generous sponsors. One needs to be named in specific, Brooke Campbell, who made
a donation with the request to dedicate the mural to Christine Archibald, an
extraordinary young woman from a small town near hers in Canada, who died in the recent London attacks. Of course I would, I’m all
for transmitting positive, constructive messages of love, peace and respect and
make this world a more beautiful place. But it was heartbreaking to realise
that while I was painting this mural, yet another hateful attack took place. How
deeply saddening.
Anyway,
the kindergarten kids and staff of the San Bartolomé Becerra school are over
the moon with their “new” classroom and that’s what we do it for. More art,
less hate.
Thank
you so much for sponsoring:
Debby Pate, Judy Sadlier, Ana María Ackermans & Brooke Campbell, Tommy
O’Donnell, Tessa de Goede and Sue Bohenstengel.
And of course a very special thanks to Debby Pate for helping out
painting!
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| Before... |
