Archive
Sixth Grade Graduation
In Honduras only 1/3 of the kids go to school beyond the sixth grade. School is only compulsory up to the sixth grade and any school beyond the sixth grade is private and costs money. The average person in Honduras makes only $3,000 a year. Because most families cannot afford private school most kids are working or roaming the streets at the age of 12.
This means that for most of the kids in Armenia Bonito graduation from sixth grade is the end. It is a big deal, kind of like high school graduation in the U.S. Families come from miles. Relatives help poor families through elaborate parties. It is a turning point in the life of a child.
Friday was the end of the school year and the sixth grade graduation day throughout Honduras. The school in Armenia Bonito graduated 30 sixth graders. Many of the kids were some of our regulars – Saiti, Wilson, George and more.
Mike and Erin were asked to serve as padrinos, or god parents, for Saiti. The padrinos attend the graduation, walk the kid down the isle and present them to world after the graduation is over. It was a big honor and we were pleased to fill that roll.
After the graduation ceremony we attended two graduation parties. For a family that makes $10 a day a party is very excessive. Balloons, formal invitations and cake are extravagant, but expected. And, when a poor Honduran family is going all out and offers you a huge plate of food, one can literally not say no. Needless to say we stuffed ourselves on two huge plates of food and two pieces of cake.
It was a fun day for all.
