A morning at La Mariposa is worth a lifetime of living including how to use a machete

Update:
Thank you thank you thank you!! In less than 48 hours I think we've raised enough money to buy a pair of oxen. If you still want to email me or post a comment and ask questions about contributing PLEASE do. The need is infinite:

-the daycare hasn't received rice and beans from the government in a month. $40 would provide enough money to buy a sack of rice that could last 3 months

-the teachers in more than one reading corner haven't received their pay in months, they keep showing up to help the kids

- many of the kids of Panama neither have shoes nor a set of extra clothes

- La Mariposa itself is so generous with the projects (they provide employment for 50 people and so much more) that they are barely making it

These are just a handful of examples, if you wish to help, please do!

Here's a day in the life of a morning for children at La Mariposa:

Our new friend Maia from Miami and Baby-O pick chiles and bananas to take to the monkeys

Baby-O teaches Maia that the monkeys use the chiles as mosquito repellent.

The monkeys knead the chiles.

Friends go up into the tower room to sing with teacher Alba.

The kids are never far from the hammocks that are all over the La Mariposa.

Singing "Los Pollitos Cantan. . ."

Jeremy with the beloved Alba

There are magical little pathways all over the property. Baby-O loves to choose how we move through the jungle-like setting. This is her favorite passage.

After the morning classes just before the juice break, Armando takes the kids to check for eggs.

"A Melba! A Melba!" Melba, the incredibly kind and hardworking 'knower and doer of all" is where the kids know the eggs are headed.

Delivering the fresh eggs.

At 10:00 sharp a homemade juice is served. The kids spend every second of the half hour diving into cards or other games.

Gigi with Zoe, aka Claire from Philly

For the younger set, Juan serves milk.

Can you find the gringa?

 Kate, from Ann Arbor has spent a month here with her brother and sister. They've worked hard every day with nothing but good cheer. They spend their evenings with their home stay. They are great kids and I see why their parents knew they'd be fine coming solo. They are great friends with all of the staff whom they help in all capacities from kitchen duty to garden duty to farm work.

At the break the teachers gather to rest and delight the younger set. 

The older kids are deep into an Othello while Berman Jr. and Baby-O converse about the lollipop. . .

Berman Sr. is the Director of the language program and keeper of the 'bell'! He has the constitution of a surgeon and the patience of a saint. He organizes the teachers and herds the students! He is also guide, driver and all-around facilitator.

For J, his second hour of class is 'Machete 101'

Off to lunch. . .