Thanks to the Mums

This morning some Mums were invited to our assembly so that the children could thank them for all their hard work, when they helped to run the Inter Schools sporting event a couple of weekends ago.

A break from the stresses

I have just had a lovely weekend taking a break from the stresses of finishing off at school and beginning to pack at home.

On Saturday the Primary head of department, Profe Eva, invited me out to her house. It is quite a distance from where I live so she picked me up. The traffic going to her place was the worst that I have seen for a long time.

I had been apprehensive about spending the day as the centre of attention and having to speak nothing but Spanish all day. However, I found myself thinking in Spanish and had no problems. We had a lovely lunch.
Later Eva asked me how to make scones. In the way that only Paraguayans can she produced the ingredients and left me in the kitchen. The result was afternoon tea, British style.

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day with a light breeze, so I took myself out to lunch. In the afternoon the Hickmotts invited me to go for a walk. We "marched" five kms through the botanical gardens, moving fast to avoid being bitten by the millions of mosquitoes that were around.

We love our Dads!

Last week the celebration of Father´s Day had to be postponed due to the political situation. This morning the children made up for that and the dads were serenaded and treated to breakfast in school.

Pastor Ronnie gave a lovely, bible-based talk about Fatherhood.

The Primary band accompanied the Primary Choir of every child in Primary, all crammed onto our small patio area, with dads seated in the middle.

After the singing many of the dads moved to the secondary department.

The girls serenaded with boys hovering in the background.

This was followed by a snack breakfast. Most dads were busy chatting so the "Starving Gannets" swooped in.

To our surprise, as everybody was engrossed in catching up with each other some loud music started and the Power Rangers appeared.

The third year boys were having fun and they had plenty of spectators.

There were some very proud and happy dads around.

Despedidas

The Hickmotts and I are having some good farewell parties here. Fortunately they are well spread out so not too taxing physically on top of all the other things that we have to do before leaving here.

Last week I was taken out by some colleagues for afternoon tea. It was lovely.

On Friday evening the English department gave us a despedida. Unfortunately, due to the political situation several people could not attend because they needed to cross town. People had been advised by the police not to go out.

They all made up for that this morning by having a breakfast for us in school.

It was a time for emotional speeches.

The thing that I will miss most about our school is the sense of family. It is stronger there than in any other school I have worked in. We are a family and a brilliant team.

Update on political situation

The latest news is that the Mercosur has suspended Paraguay from attending the Mercosur conference next week. However, they have invited Fernado Lugo to attend.
Several Latin American countries have withdrawn their ambassadors. Venezuela has blocked any petroleum from coming to Paraguay, but the Brazilian company has said that they will still export to us.
The new President and his ministers are telling the nation that there is nothing to worry about.

New President

After President Lugo was deposed, Dr. Federico Franco was sworn in as the new President of Paraguay.
So far the Presidents of Argentina, Ecuador,Venezuela, Costa Rica and Bolivia have said that they see this as a coup d'etat and they will not recognize the new government of Paraguay. The President of Brazil, Dilma Rouseff has said that Paraguay should be expelled from the Mercosur for not respecting democratic laws. If this happens Paraguay will be isolated.

Already President Franco has changed the chief of police. A new Minister of the interior has also been appointed. Franco's first priority is to bring stability to areas where there are difficulties over land rights.

End of this government

The senate has voted 39 to 4 that Lugo is guilty of being responsible for all the killings that  happened last week. Lugo and his government lasted 3 years and 10 months.

The chancellors of the Mercosur has now threatened to isolate Paraguay. They are just leaving the palace where the President is at the moment. The President of the Senate has responded to the threats as being empty threats. He said that no other country can intervene and influence and put pressure on the politics of another country.

Outside Congress there are some very angry demonstrators. Mounted police are trying to disperse the crowds and riot police have moved in.