The Kids

'El Profe' Elvis with some of the kids on the trip to the river for my 30th birthday.

Teacher Elvis has been teaching the children in this area for about 12 years. The current class role is 25 with the kids ranging in age from 4 to 14. On any one day between about 15 and 20 will be in attendance depending on what work there is to be done at home on the day of school and sadly their schooling does not seem to be of prime importance. Those that do regularly turn up however are eager to learn but Elvis is faced with trying to educate a wide range of ages all by himself and you will see from some of these faces the little characters he is faced with....

My favorite Luisa, 6 years old. A beautfiful little girl with an hysterical laugh. The smell of singed hair was with Luisa whenever she went as she used to do her homework by candlelight and always leaned in too far!


Iduvis (pronounced E-do-vis), 12 years old and the really sporty one

Nehemiah (prounced Ne-he-me-a), 12 years old, a real rascal and would terrorise the girls at break time.

David, 9 years old. A bit of a terror and always getting into trouble with his Dad the teacher.

Youlannis (pronounced you-lainey), 10 years old and Yourainnis (pronounced you-rainy), 8 years old. These girls were sisters and got the award for the strangest names. Clearly the parents did not want too many name variations in the family.

Melfur with the ring on his head, 7 years old and his brother Hernan far right, 4 years old.

Suleima (pronounced sue-lay-ma), 13 years old. Wants to move to the city and become a nurse when she is a bit older. Their older brother Moises (pronounced moi (as Kath and Kim would) - say)is 14 years old and the eldest student. He often helped his Dad out with guiding tourists.

Mileidis (named after My Lady Diana!), 7 years old. Also has a bit of a trouble making streak but often quite a help in the classroom.

Isaia (pronounced e-sai-e-ah), 10 years old, brother to Moises, Yeiner and Suleima and has a very competitive streak!

Jenifer, 3 years old. Daughter of the teacher but not quite in school yet. She wasn't actually even talking properly when I left but had to include her as she is just such a beatuiful wee girl.

Dallanah (as in Diana), 6 years old (far left). Helped me with making the exercises colourful with her excellent artwork. She put my attempts to absolute shame. Dani, 9 years old, to her right is a fantastic dancer.

Pachito (real name Walter), 12 years old. He is the class clown and climbed trees to bring me avocados, mangos and guavas at school.

Yeiner (pronounced jay-ner), 7 years old, was my little English star. His pronunciation of my kiwi words was quite remarkable.

Sitting with some of the kids during break.
Trying to keep them interested enough to learn the days of the week