Quotes & Facts (to cheer us up)

In the other places where we went we had a house, this is just... two rooms. (Sam, getting a bit tired of our accommodation, early November)

Why don't they appreciate what you're doing? (Michele, always asking the most difficult questions)

Having to go outdoors to reach the toilet after waking up is not nice, but a view like this makes up for it, big time (Elena, watching the volcanoes in the cool air of the morning)

I know what to do: tomorrow morning I'm gonna go out on the street, start shouting and sell them all! (Michele outlines his solution to our problem of oversupply of tamales, received on Christmas Eve, all excited at the thought of finally having the opportunity to imitate the local ladies' advertising techniques; unfortunately he had to be told he wouldn't be much successful, as everybody would be either stuffed with the same or still having plenty of leftovers...)

Profe (that's how they call Mattia, as when they first knew him he was a teacher), you're staying here up to... 2020, right? (Oswaldo one of Mattia's "athletes", pretending not to remember our leaving date)

NOOOO! (one of Mattia's kids shouting at the news of our leaving soon)

Yes, they could have gained so much from her, if they had given her the right support. I learnt so much and it would have been a great asset for the whole community to have somebody learn properly from her. (A good friend and former member of UPAVIM, agreeing with us that Elena did a lot but could have had a greater impact if her expertise had been better valued)

I'm so sorry about it, so sorry, so sorry. (An UPAVIM woman, crying on our shoulders at the thought of UPAVIM's rejection of our services)

I still remember all the 6 songs - Me too, and there were 7 of them. (Jaciel and Jeffrey, Mattia's former 3rd grade students, making their teacher quite proud, as after nearly 3 months they could still sing in good English and most of all remember the meaning, showing learning results way different from those of other classes)

You are a very good teacher: my son was very happy and learnt a lot with you; he said you shouted so the students would listen and this way something could be do in class, why with other teachers nobody pays attention and nothing is achieved (a 6th grade student's mum).

I must thank you for this year my daughter learnt a lot, so much so that she can now tell me the meanings of some lines of English songs we hear (we can't vouch for that). You were strict and that helped a lot, though some people here don't understand that, but that's because we're a bit disrespectful around here... (a 3rd grade student's mum).

It's such a pity you're going, we should have found a way for you to stay a keep working. When I told the local priest there's a good man, a good teacher who's doing a great job with the youth in the area, he said: "Why didn't you tell me before? I could find a job for him in the school and he could keep working here". What you're doing with the kids in the campo is so good. It's such a pity, Mattia, such a pity: why are you leaving? (Liliane, our strongest supporter)

It's shame that UPAVIM didn't support you. The youth are the future of the community. That's exactly what they need: to have their time and their minds filled with positive activities. If you had continued that for some time, it could have made a real difference for the community. (A former member of UPAVIM)

You should come back and start your projects from scratch, by yourselves, in the community. I know you can't now, but if God wants, one day you'll find the means to stay here, with a house for you, as a family, and all the right conditions. (A friend)

You surely planted some seeds in the youth. Pity that seeds needs watering... (The same friend)

On one hand I'm happy to meet my friends in Italy, and our grandparents, but on the other I regret leaving all the friends I've made here (Michele)

- over 75 afternoons on the dusty field;

- over 50 hours of athletics training with the early teens, reaching over 30, with a core group of 12, most of whom have improved a lot;

- over 50 hours of sport-games with the 5-to-10 year olds, with an average of 15 kids and a total of over 30, who all had a great time;

- 8 trips to 2 different athletics stadia (with a total of around 15 kids, boys and girls, enjoying the experience, which included a proper 8-lane track in one case and passing by the public, free University in the other, with hints at their possible future attendance);

- over 20 hours of morning chess teaching and playing (with no tables nor chairs, dust on the board and chasing dogs away), with half a dozen kids now able to play by themselves (and some of them already eagerly doing that before training).