Yesterday Monday, I went over to Jonis apartment to discuss the plan of action for the coming week. Thanks to the local council, I had already compiled a list of prospective schools (primary and secondary) within the public and private sectors in communa 13. What was most notable was that all the public institutions were at least twice the size of the private equivalent; public all in excess of 1000 students, large private, no greater than 500. Whilst a more precise (like for like) comparison would have been preferred it wont not be possible therefore, I have decided to compare a selection of the large schools and add a selection of medium and small private to the list. A list totalling 23 schools was derived however in view of tight timescales, I have to develop a prioritised order based on a random sample. Having derived this sample, I could then work on a schedule and an entry strategy.
First the good news, after years of diligent study followed by a very good thesis, Joni has been awarded his masters degree. As if anticipating the good news, his prospective mother in law has brought him yet another attractive life partner with a great line in conversation; no, not Letycias sister but a parrot. Some might say that its not the most practical of gifts however we immediately found a use for it; his new pet was to be given the onerous duty of deriving a sampling order. We allocated numbers to each school, wrote them on a piece of paper and the parrot pecked at his preferences (photo to follow). Could you possibly be more random.
As we plotted the schools on a map, Joni congratulated the parrot on his selection, the priority schools being widely spread across the communa and often slap bang on neighbourhood boundaries. Whilst we now had names and addresses it would be up to Geraldo, our guide in Aguablanca to decide the best possible route. Next, I prepared a letter for the Jefe de Nucleo (Jairo) to sign, acknowledging our official presence in the area and requesting the support of each of the school directors. We made arrangements to meet up with both Geraldo and Jairo the following day in order to complete these tasks. Finally, the entry strategy. Myself and Joni agreed that it would be a good idea to dedicate this week to a short pilot study focussed on El Diamante (a large public school and Jairos base). Whilst this task was in progress, we would take a tour of the area and introduce ourselves to all the remaining schools on the list. With Jonis assistance, I would inform each director of the scope of the study, provide a description of the broader context and issue a commitment to follow up this research in the future.
Today, we met up with Geraldo as agreed outside of El Diamante and went in search of Jairo. Although he was elsewhere, the School Director was in his office and was happy to meet with us. Whilst polite and cordial, our man was a distant kind of chap with a certain mistrust of research (you get your qualification, then what!!). I was relieved that I had considered an entry strategy, not just to convince him of the worth of my own work but also to indicate its complimentary nature (with Jonis study) and its significance in terms of the greater body of research compiled by Newcastle Uni. Despite the carefully considered response, I think it was the fact that Joni was engaged to a Colombian that really convinced him of our commitment. For a moment, it seemed he was gonna demand the same from me. Finally, he accepted the set of questionnaires and asked us to return the following afternoon.
In the context of the pilot study, Geraldo suggested that we also visit a private school as a means of additional material review. We walked toward the neighbourhood of La Florida and from 100 yards away you could see an abrupt the change of scenery. Gone were the permanent brick structures to be replaced by the vulnerable wooden shacks of the extreme poor, many on stilts to avoid risk of flooding as the rain here often resembles a monsoon.
The director studies at the Fundacion Voluntad de Dios (the Will of God) was unavailable, so Geraldo suggested we take a stroll around the neighbourhood. Any previous thoughts regarding Aguablancas status as a slum have Im afraid to say, been completely dispelled. There is no regular fresh running water here, its hot and humid, dust fills the air and the smell of rotting garbage is everpresent. Whilst this is not my first time in a slum it always comes as a shock, not just the desperate nature of the surroundings but the fact that life is so radically different at the opposite end of the street (nevermind at the junction of Roosevelt and 39th). It is any wonder that these marginal zones (a euphemistic, official designation) are breeding grounds for violence and discontent. And yet for all the poverty, every single person we came across welcomed us, particularly the children who in this case were simply desperate for a hug from Geraldo and a photo opportunity. It was all very touching and I think you’ll agree that the results are really beautiful.

In sad contrast, we next met la abuela (the grandmother) whose facial features had been eaten away by some untreated illness and her whole body was painfully disfigured and contorted yet for all all her pain there was no hint of shame or bitterness, none whatsoever. I dont want to eulogise these people, turning them into heroic myths of the slum based on a few weeks of research simply trivialises and demeans them. However, most of these people have been displaced from their rural homes as a consequence of political and drug related crime, they understand the context in which theyre obliged to live/survive and the standards of living enjoyed by other people. Yet the majority appear to cope with admirable strength and stoicism. Thats just how I see it.
Just as we completed the loop of La Florida, the school director pulled up in front of his school. Whilst I wont be drawn towards any early conclusions regarding public/private education, the difference between the vaguely autocratic nature of the public director (who didnt even reveal his identity) and Sr Rigiberto Tique could not have been more stark. Rigoberto was similar in nature to Leonora, the foundation director I wrote about last week. There was nothing defensive about him, just a quiet, strong and diligent man who has dedicated his life to the local children and in particular this school. He showed us a DVD recording of the institution 10 years ago, at which point it was nothing more than a large wooden shack, no different to the surrounding structures, the kitchen was a couple of pots on open fire and the school population was less than 20. Now, thanks to the support of a Dutch foundation there is a clean, modern, permanant brick structure educating and feeding more than 300 students. Its a remarkable achievement in any context but in La Florida its little short of a miracle (or the will of God). We go through the introduction routine once again but unlike the previous director, Rigoberto was very supportive of our efforts to make a difference, no matter how small it may be. As the conversation drew to a close, Rigoberto accepted the climate questionnaires without fuss and asked us to return the following day to collect them.
We say goodbye to the staff and head back to the main road. Some of children run up and give us a big smile and a hug before we leave. If I had anything to do with it, I would oblige every single 18 year old in the west to spend one summer doing voluntary work in Aguablanca and similar places around the world, it would change their perspective for good (morally and permanently).

Once Geraldo had got a handle on research and the schools I wanted to assess, he suggested a visiting schedule for the following day. One significant point that he rasied was the difficulty of obtaining a parental perspective on climate based on a questionnaire delivered by their children, Geraldo believed that the majority would simply ignore it. Instead, he suggested that the director of studies invite a random sample of parents to the school in order to complete the survey, then and there. So in addition to the introductory presentation, I need to obtain a lists of parents and teachers in order to derive a credible research sample. That parrots gonna be real busy over the coming week.