Bogota!!!

Hi!  The first couple of days in Bogota have been amazing!  Yesterday we went and visited a Hacienda.  It was built during Spanish colonization..as beautiful as it was, it was difficult to think about how the encomienda system devastated the population...while the people on the Hacienda were relaxing...

Today...Tuesday...we visited Colegio Sabio Caldas!  It is a public school serving students in 1st through 11th grade.  The students graduate after 11th grade!  I was with a colleague...and my roommate, Lynn, and we visited a 1st grade class!  They were adorable!! The teachers were amazing! We also visited an 8th grade Mathematics class and that teacher was phenomenal as well!  We were able to meet with some teachers, tour the school and visit with many many students!  It was the most joyful school I have ever been in!  It is a public charter school, but is partnered and subsidized by a private school. (What an amazing concept...social responsibility!)  The neighborhood surrounding the school is quite impoverished, and the school serves as a safe refuge for the students!  Tomorrow we'll be in workshops with teachers from the school and visiting their vocational programs!  We also visited the Gold Museum today!  It's amazing to see all of the artifacts...it's just a shame that the Spanish had to come and rob the natives blind. (You knew that would be coming out of my mouth! ;))

Colegio Sabio Calde!!!!

Interior of the school

Entering the Library

Kitchen

Entering the building from the parking lot

Student Store

Houses behind the school

Surrounding neighborhood

Students love to have their picture taken!

First Grade Class - Wild Animals!!!

How cute is that???!!!

Electrical Class!

 The Gold Museum!!!

Nose rings!  Can you imagine?

Funeral Bells

Meditating...

Jaguar Representation

Vessels used by Shamans

After our day at the school tomorrow we are meeting with the Minister of Education!  I'll keep you posted!