I had imagined my mission focusing mostly on babies and the very young. But as life has taught it is very rare that she ever unfolds as expected. My role in El Progresso has slowly become clearer to me. My job is twofold. After second-year Bachillerato the students graduate and a lucky few continue their studies at the university in the city.
Life can be very busy at times.
While I remained busy, the youth remained bored. There's not much for the kids to do. There are few extra-curricular activities, no clubs, very little organized sports, and no entertainment. As St. Don Bosco wisely understood this leads to mischievous children and an influx in teen-age pregnancies, problems that only add to the challenges of insufficient income within El Progreso. Gracias a Dios, I have already established a pretty strong connection with the teen-agers and have begun organizing clubs, groups, and organized sports.