Olga's Course

Yesterday I went with Olga to take some pictures of her class. We finally got some pictures of her students at work.

Here come Juanita (Juanita works in our home on Wednesdays) and Jennie (Juanita's sister-in-law) to class.

Juanita and Jennie arriving at class

As I told you before, Father Leroux has adapted many young boys. After school every day, they all come to the parochial office where they have a homework room. They spend 3 hours here with a tutor that the father pays for. He has three of his "boys" now in university.

Settling down to do their homework

Just the other side of the wall Olga's class is settling down. Everyone is working at their own pace and so everyone seems to be doing something different. Janet (Yanet) is learning to sew using the machine Olga bought. Jennie and Juanita are putting in the zipper of their skirts and Sally is cutting the lining.

Everyone is busy

We bought the sewing machine for $65.00. Luckily, when it doesn't work properly, Olga seems to know just what to do.

Before the students were selected they had to write letters explaining why they should be allowed to take the course. Here are a couple of them

Yanet

Yanet says

Senora Olga, My name is Yanet Torres. I am writing you this letter because I heard that you are calling for young people, aged 15 to 18 years but I am 21 years old but I would still like to take advantage of the opportunity that you are offering but I don't lose anything by writing to you this letter even if you don't choose me.

I finished my secondary school studies but my parents can't afford to pay for my university studies because we are 10 brothers and sisters and they work on the farm and there is not enough money for us all. Therefore I went to work in the mornings to help them with the costs. I work in a book store here in Pachacutec Mariscal Castillo and I live in a rented room. My parents live in Cononorte, Ciudad de Dios. I work from 6AM to 3PM and in the afternoons I am free to be able to learn with you pattern and dress making.

Please do not deny me this opportunity.I would like to better my situation and meet life's struggle with a career in pattern and dress making.

Thank you

Sally, who seems very serious about "getting it" wrote the following: