tinajita school project

The younger girls' club decided to rehab the tiny, two-room school in La Tinajita, which was completely falling apart. Shayla took on the project - the girls like to make plans more than they like to execute them - and coordinated an amazing cleaning, painting, planting, and rebuilding effort. These photos are from the cleaning day - my camera died during the "after" pictures. The school looks incredible now - clean, and organized.

These women seriously know how to clean.

Ana Julia, one of the stars of the older girls' club

Twins Jinet and Gina, also girls' club legends...

We're trying to get all the older girls girls prepared for and admitted to university. I've never seen a more motivated group of girls, especially these three, but they face unbelievable logistical and financial obstacles. Next week, we are going over test-taking strategies for the university entrance exam. My heart breaks for them: they want to be doctors, teachers, but they are up against so much...

Carrying water

Shayla and Rita moving furniture