University Bound

- December 13, 2010

It's become our custom here, we happy folk of Los Laureles, to help out those unfortunate university co-eds that have found it possible to fail their physical education class for the term. How they manage such a feat is beyond me, this is class that anyone, even my Grandmother could pass. Regardless we here in Laureles are ready and willing to help. My connection with this rabble band of misfits and curmudgeons is this; their professor/slave driver is a member of my church and absolutely loves the children of Los Laureles. Thus when the university flunkies came to her and begged a reprieve she gave them an out; they would pass the class if they hosted a fun day for the children of the garbage dump. They of course jumped at the opportunity and so this past Friday we loaded up my car and a small van with 30 of Laureles' finest and off we went to the university for a day of games, food, cake and a pinata. It rained, which made the kids that much happier because they were able to get all good and muddy whilst playing soccer...all in all it was a good day. More than just being fun trips, I see these outings to university as a chance to expose the kids to a wider world of education and opportunity. I want them to see that there is more to life than picking garbage and selling bananas, that there is hope for a better life beyond what they know...and thanks to the Gym Class Dropouts I'm able to do that. That would make a good band name by the by.

presenting the kids to the university students just before the games began

juan carlos throwing up a shot

chita looking for a pass

jubilation

darwin, one of the quieter and more pleasant children that can be found in laureles

chiro fell in love with volleyball and begged to know when we'd be coming back so he could play again

his form could use a little work though

pepe too enjoyed the volleyball but lost some of his dignity in the process

putting himself back together

some of the older kids being "taught" soccer by the college students. they're smiling because they know that they're going to play circles around their would be teachers. turns out they did.

manuel came along for the ride and really took to basketball. he is one of the older and more recent additions to our crew. someday, though not now, i'll have to introduce him properly; his story is fascinating and saddening all at once.

he's also a pure athlete, anything he sets his mind to athletically he excels at. for example twirling a basketball on his index finger. here he's trying it for the first time after having seen a college kid showing off.