The afternoon storm had threatened houses and created swirling rapids in the sewage creek. The following day, as the children arrived for their final presentation, “mineros,” miners, took advantage of the lowered water level to search for recyclables to sell. The color and enthusiasm inside the school seemed to exist in a world outside of the slum, but the dirt on the kids’ clothes and the miners outside brought back the reality of their situation and the world in which they live.

A great deal of the classes Thursday focused on rehearsal for the next day’s celebration performances, but many of the fun activities present in previous classes remained in place.

The Thursday music classes listened to an Ella Fitzgerald song to introduce their lesson on Jazz. Then, the children did some improvised scatting themselves. In the four and five year old class, it took a few times around the circle and a few brave volunteers to bring the exercise into full gear. Some shouted out of turn; others spoke almost inaudibly, but they all participated. The “B” sound was popular, and variations of “bee de beepa beep da dee dee” made the rounds. Following the vocal instrumentation, the children created physical music-makers out of cups, toilet paper rolls, bottles, rubber bands, popsicle sticks and plates.

As was present in many classes, the morning dance class had some behavioral issues. However, the children were, for the most part, preparing for and interested in their rehearsal. Three groups of five were discussing how to show peace with their bodies. The all-boy group had some problems focusing, as was evident in the joke wrestling and breaking dancing in the middle of the floor. A couple of the children around the room had to sit out for a minute for misbehaving, but Josh Cooper, Eastern University graduate student and program coordinator, quickly ended the time-out. They got a high-five and a “good job” before heading back to the group. An important part of BuildaBridge’s teaching method includes reinforcement of the idea that there are consequences for one’s actions.

Heading upstairs to the drama room, the air became thicker with the heat. Lined up, looking forward at their teachers and translators, the children listened to a conflict between two friends. A little chicken and dog were inseparable friends, but they had an argument and split up. A scary thunderstorm (a theme that became ironic later) made them think of one another. By applying the peace process the children had been learning about throughout the week, the pair of friends worked out their differences. As the story was read, the children mimicked the emotions, movements and sounds of the story, providing a visual representation of the message. With the end of the story, they bowed in unison.

The art group worked to complete their portion of the mural. A group of ten children was hunched over or lying flat, painting images that represent peace to them. The brown and white BuildaBridge shirts the children wore as smocks fit them like dresses. Among the many images, there were bricks because peace-making takes work, and there was a house because peace is what they are building. The colors of the mural, based on Mayan colors found on artifacts, shined brightly on the bluish-green canvas. It didn’t fit the Mayan theme, but blue was added to the colors. Kids like blue. Other children leaned over tables to paint letters. Strung together, the letters spelled out “haciendo la paz,” making peace.

During lunch, our group and the teachers from the school shared about their classes and their gratitude for one another.

Dr. Nathan Corbitt, President and Co-founder of BuildaBridge, referred to the group as “the dream team.” One of the teachers said she had learned a lot and would apply the teaching principles with her own child. 

Tita Evertsz, Principal and Founder of the schools in La Limonada, explained that she initially thought the BuildaBridge teaching method was too tough on the kids, but now she understands the importance of the discipline. “I know these people care about education and teaching important life skills.”