These kids are adorable!

You know those cute adorable pictures all over the internet of kids and their parents looking in the mirror as they brush their teeth? Today at my school reminded me of those pictures.

The American Dental Association recently made a trip to Grenada on humanitarian status to deliver a toothbrush and toothpaste kit to all students in Grenada's primary schools. I must commend the ADA for coming to Grenada and seeing the real need for dental care in our children. They even took the time to have a dental hygiene crash course for the kids and an adorable demonstration on the importance of clean teeth.

Today was my first day back at the school after the toothbrush extravaganza last week and man was I in for a surprise. I was busy all day griding the wall for our school mural project so I didn't get very much time in the classroom to interact with the kids. The students get an hour lunch break (crazy right?) and I was preparing for a million questions like "Miss why you doing that?", when a little boy came up to me and asked if he could brush his teeth. I giggled and said well of course, forgetting that all the kids had new toothbrush kits.

About twenty minutes later I walk back into our classroom to eat lunch with my counterpart and what did I see? 25 students sitting quietly in their seats, hands quickly brushing their teeth and giggling away to each others weird mouth noises. I couldn't help but just start laughing, which caused them to laugh and spew foam all over the place, but regardless, it was funny. For the next 10 minutes I heard my counterpart keep reminding them "kids please don't eat d toothpaste", "brush up and down and round and round", and "get those rotten teeth in the back too!".

Alot of these kids have never been taught the importance of brushing their teeth and many of them have rotted teeth from lack of brushing. They were so excited to get a new toothbrush and couldn't wait to brush away that I thought them might brush their enamel right off.

Today reminded me just how much we take for granted the ability to purchase basic necessities and the lessons we were taught as kids. No I sure don't remember the day my mom taught me to brush my teeth, but I'm sure these kids will forever remember the day the Americans came to their school and gave them new toothbrushes and taught them how to "brush round and round".

Its little things like today that remind me just how lucky I am and how much I have to repay to our world...

Weekend Recap

Has anyone seen the weekend? I lost it. It seemed to of skipped over me. I cherish my Saturday afternoon clothes drying on the line, cookies in the oven and sun shining bright. I miss my Sunday morning sleep in, lunch with the landlords and afternoon snooze.

Ok ok, I just missed one weekend. Maybe that was a bit dramatic but I really missed having a few days off of work. Thankfully this weekend was AWESOMELY filled with lots of fun events to participate in and keep me from thinking about white chocolate chip cookies baking in the warm oven.

Friday was our Peace Corps 50th Anniversary party. A past volunteer that served in Grenada from 1968-1970 returned to the island and was gracious enough to throw us all a wonderful dinner party, followed by open mic night at the local museum. We had amazing tapas prepared by a Venezuelan chef at the Museum Bistro. I feel really blessed to be given the opportunity to serve in the Peace Corps during the 50th Anniversary and really appreciate being able to celebrate the vast tradition of Peace Corps here in Grenada.

mmmm tapas

I love this picture because its literally four groups of volunteers. EC 4, EC 79, EC 81 and EC 83

Saturday was the International Food Festival hosted by Grenada Save the Children (GrenSAVE) at the Trade Center. Booths were represented by tons of different countries from St. Lucia to China, USA to Cuba and even some delicious Venezuelan food. Each table tried to sell a variety of different items from their country and quickly sold out. The part of the food fest that Peace Corps represented was the kids activities. Bet you didn't guess that did you?

Katherine, another PCV, with her PAM girls selling delicious sweets!

I somehow was put in charge of organizing the volunteers and convinced most of the new volunteers to help with the face painting table. They did a GREAT job for their first attempt at painting random animals at the request of 6 year olds. Do you agree?

ahhhhhh! Spiderman!

Hannah decided to practice on me. I think I'm a cat...

Cute boys. I painted the butterfly on the boy in the blue.

Katie getting serious with this little girls butterfly.

MONKEY!!!

HAHAHA. oh newbies, I really love them.

After 5 hours of face painting, the kids had enough face paint and their parents ate enough food to send them home happy. We were ready to get out of the loud trade center and mayyyyybe escape to the beach to see the sunset. I think we were successful....

I live here. 

Sunday was the annual International Women's Day event in St. Davids parish. IWD is actually March 8th, but the Ministry knew a Sunday event would bring out many more people, and it did. Protocol helped in welcoming way to many speakers, but around 5pm (after a 12pm start time) we reached the cultural presenters of the festivities. Local singers, a secondary school acting club and drummers preformed for upwards of 500 people in Belle Vue playing field well into the evening. It was an awesome show of appreciation to women and girls, something I was proud to be a part of.

The Bain sisters singing an awesome tribute to all mothers. 

The important row of people, from Ministers to Parliamentary representatives to feature address speaker and Gov. Generals wife. Great representation of our government officials in support of the day. 

Denise is a blind lady who recently published her own collection of poetry which gives her perspective on years of abuse at the hands of men.

Well that wraps up my new novel on my weekend. Sorry for all the readers who enjoy short and quick reads from me, but this weekend couldn't of been put into cliff notes. I apologize. This week is looking just as busy as the weekend so no time for rest and relaxation. I'm trying to complete my 23498230498 (there is another exaggeration) grant to send off by the Thursday. Wish me luck!