Monday morning~ After breakfast and morning meeting – we departed for our assignments. Margaret & I were off to a meeting at Marigot Secondary School with Principal DuJohn, Vernett James, the youth officer from the Dept. of Ministry, and Ms Fitz &Ms James – teachers from the Home Economics & Agriculture program. We gathered to begin discussions about expanding the school farm, Earthbox program and creating a school feeding program to provide nutritious lunches to the students. Currently, there is no government subsidy for such a program for Secondary schools in St Lucia. We shared many great ideas and I am encouraged by the excitement from all who attended at working together to meet the nutritional needs of the students.
The remainder of the afternoon I finalized a schedule to replant Earthboxes with mothers in the Roving Caregiver Program later in the week. Additionally, we visited the shipping and brokerage firm in Castries in an attempt to complete the next step at getting the Earthbox supply shipment out of customs. Sometimes, despite our best plans and intentions, circumstances arise which are beyond our control, as we learned we are still unable to have the shipment released. Although, I find this setback discouraging, I decide to implement plan B as we drive back to Marigot. Tomorrow I will work to schedule nutrition and hand-washing lessons at the pre-schools for later in the week, if we are unable to replant Earthboxes.
Monday proved to be somewhat challenging for other members of our team as well, and after such an energizing start to the week yesterday, our spirits were dampened as we gathered for our meeting this evening. Father Warren gently reminded us, that although we may be discouraged that our plans did not go as we had hoped today, our challenges pale insignificantly to our friends in Anse La Raye.
Today reminded me of a message from OgMandino, in book: The Greatest Salesman in the World: “Failure will never overtake you if your determination to succeed is strong enough.”
A tasty dinner of fresh caught Mahi-Mahi, vegetables, and plaintains – along with laughter and a few songs around the table at Julietta’s, rejuvenated our spirits. Tomorrow we begin anew.
Message of the day by Margaret: “We have flown the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers” – Dr. Martin Luther King
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