This was a very busy day from the get go! Aneilka (our only employee) and Jude our wonderful volunteer from England worked very hard to get all the uniforms and shoes sorted and packed in plastic bags so life would be easier for the next step. I need to pause and mention that this year not only were our shoes hand made by a local shoemaker, but our uniforms were made by folks from the same barrio we serve, Villa Esperanza. So, we still had 174 pacs to fill! Wow! The team worked very hard and were running late for our scheduled arrival to the barrio. A wonderful man, named Peder from Holland, helped us transport the packs in his oversized LandRover. It was PACKED with packs!The rest of us walked to the barrio.
Much to my awe and surprise when we arrived there were well over 300 people assembled in and around Ana's (a parent volunteer) yard. Balloons were placed over an archway that invited us in. A large sign said "Bienvenidos Katy y sus Amigos" (Welcome Kathy and your friends) . Carefully placed were an exact number of plastic chairs for each of us in front of what was to be a performance stage. There we
re urgings for me to enter, I felt nervous. I paused, took a deep breath and finally entered. Tears welled up. Goosebumps formed all over my body in the 95 degree heat as I walked to the 'stage' area and clapping began. I like to help with all my heart, and really feel the best gift I get in return is seeing the children go to school. Somehow this was almost too much for me, the community showing appreciation for the work we do touched me so deeply.
Young girls dressed in traditional dresses performed traditional dances, beaming shy smiles at myself and friends. My chills remained (really) as more children recited poetry and sang songs. 
Then a speech was ma
de by Ana and then I made one thanking them all and the staff and volunteers and Give a Kid a Backpack for making this a reality. In all my years of service with EI, this was the most amazing moment do date.
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