I made that garden pond!

September 2006 - We never know exactly what a child remembers or what is important to them. One week, we had planned a work day with the kids. The older boys were going to install a little pond to the front garden area and the other kids were doing weeding and trimming and banana tree removal.

Kevin, the youngest of the 'older' boys, was working on moving a bush from one spot to the flower bed. When he has successfully moved it, he joined the big boys for the digging of the pond hole. The photo at the side shows his ever so happy face (he is wearing the red shirt) at the completion of the hardest work.

Jump ahead a year and a half. Kevin's family was planning to leave Puerto Rico. Kevin, on one of his last days, told his new teacher, "I dug that hole. I made that garden pond!" He seemed to be sad to leave but also glad that he had left an impression that would remind everyone he had been here.

(Kevin returned 3 days after 'leaving' Puerto Rico - an insect bit caused the family to miss their flight and as things worked out, they stayed. Kevin continues to help around the school!)