This is the house of Ana, the mother of one of the godparented children. She and her husband were «given» this room as their payment for looking after the church nearby, which is also wooden. «It’s so much better than we had before – there’s no comparison» she told me. It’s at these moments,whilst feeling pleased for Ana and her family, I am torn by what constitutes «happiness» in this area.On this occasion I just smiled and said «good». The people here ask for so little but need so much.
The Charity Commissioners in the UK are still on with their questions, this time «what do you mean by «community»? I know they have to be careful, but instead of sending them the polite reply they received, I wanted to say «for goodness sake get a move on! Can’t you see what we are doing is worthwhile? What else do you need to know? Community = anyone that is served by Saxlingham St Mary’s, regardless of how far or near they live». It means the Anas of Pachacutec can be assured that their children will have a hot breakfast 5 days a week; it means they are being educated to a very good standard in a country where too many children are left outside the school building because they can’t buy the books or the uniform (and that’s that State system!)
We need 2 more classrooms urgently for the start of the next school year in February…if the Charity Commissioners get a move on, I could approach bigger organisations who are awaiting this «official stamp of approval» in order to make donations.
Sometimes bureaucracy is simply counter-productive. Still, the CC did say «it was looking favourable»…I hope they are reading this and thinking about the enormity of what stands upon their decision and the time it is taking to reach it.
I think I’ll cheer myself up and go and look at those beans this week!It’s been the half year holidays, so they should have grown a bit faster without the children’s «interest» to hamper their growth!!