Continue reading »]]> Enjoy these video clips from Teacher Training Sessions and School Workshops I presented in Belize this year.
168 teachers and 340 students participated in workshops which we filmed to create these training videos for use in Belize and beyond its borders. Thank you to Matthiew Klinck for editing and filming and to Eva Behrens for sound recording. Robin Reichert filmed the student stories presented. Thank you to Tanya Nunez and Janeen Quiroz for coordinating the teacher training sessions.
Click and Enjoy!

Bringing Books Alive in the Classroom, Intro

Adapting a Book to a Play

How to Teach Creative Writing Using Indigenous Stories, Part One

How to Teach Creative Writing Using Indigenous Stories, Student’s Share Their Stories

For MORE videos, please visit my youtube channel:

Continue reading »]]> An example of one of the best student stories written after the workshop I presented last week at Bishop Martin School in San Ignacio, Belize. The following story describes el cadejo the shape shifting dog. This creature roams the villages and reminds people of the ever present battle between good and evil; we always have the choice to do the right thing. This is a “real” spirit. Ivan Hernandez, age 11 wrote:

In the village of Santa Familia there lives the cadejos. They are the largest of all dogs with the ugliest of faces. There are two cadejos from what I’ve heard. The white one signifies love and peace. On the other hand, the black one with red firey eyes that burn like the fires of hell signifies the demons and all things that are bad. They are said to be found in many places, but I met these two in the unforgiving forest.

One night while I was camping I met the evil cadejo feeding on what looked like a baby deer. His red and gruesome looking eyes were staring right at me like an irritated bull ready to charge. I was scared to death at this horrible sight. At the blink of an eye it arose from its meal and came loping slowly towards the troop of campers and me. I was shaking with fear as it growled at us. I knew we couldn’t run because it would catch us for sure. At this mind grueling suspense, out of nowhere another collosal dog galloped and stood bravely in front of us. He was growling ferociously at the black cadejo. When I saw their faces I knew the battle was about to begin. Suddenly, a black mist shrouded the black cadejo as it sprinted towards us, but the was cadejo was in its way. The black cadejo threw a paw and hit the white cadejo with all its might. This was an all out battle between good and evil. The mist intoxicated the white cadejo and it landed right in front of me. I could not believe my ears when it whispered to me. It said, “you must pray to help me win this battle.” So I told the troop to start praying. They all did and finally the white cadejo got up and gave the black cadejo an all out smack down; “Pow! Thump! Paw! We couldn’t believe our eyes!

The sun started to rise and I noticed that the cadejos were starting to fade in the light, but in the dull picture we could still see them fighting. To this day I believe they are still at battle….

Continue reading »]]> It has been a very busy, fruitful and illuminating week on this, the 13th volunteer trip with my project Literacy Outreach Belize.

Teri, Librarian in San Ignacio shared how attending and participating in the first workshop I ever offered in Belize finally gave her the confidence needed to begin telling stories on her own. She now offers storytelling at her library and at schools, the response has been incredibly positive to the extent that she has also been asked to do Training Workshops for other Librarians. She completed presenting her first training in December for librarians throughout the country who are also now inspired to do storytelling in their communities. And this is what I always Dreamed Literacy Outreach Belize would accomplish.

We performed together Friday the 13th for 70 Infant 1 (Kindergarten) and STD 3 (4th grade) students. We had a blast and it was beyond wonderful to watch Teri tell a story and sing a song with the children; her energized, enthusiastic presence permeated the entire library.

Teri will be part of the documentary we are shooting and I thank her for her willingness to share her story of her journey with Literacy Outreach Belize.

For now, you can see photos here: https://www.facebook.com/LiteracyOutreachBelize

Continue reading »]]> Upon entering Principal Najarro’s office I am greeted with huge smiles, hugs, “Miss Kristin, welcome back, when do you wish to begin, perhaps this afternoon?” He laughs, I giggle. He continues, “When did you arrive? We have been waiting for you!” I reply, “we just arrived yesterday, this is the first school we’re visiting, we just walked over from Bullet Tree Falls.” Vice Principal Antonia laughs, “You walked all the way from Bullet Tree, you ARE crazy!” We laugh, hug again and I reply, “how about we begin first thing tomorrow morning?”

And so it starts. Enthusiasm, support and collaboration, this is why I return to Bishop Martin every year and it is usually my first destination. Principal Najarro has a reputation for being bluntly honest, a tough Principal who has high expectations and this is why we get along so well. He understands the importance of preserving Belizean culture, the pride that Valuing culture instills in the students. AND he understands the need for literacy; in fact their school motto states, “promoting literacy.”

My crew is ready to start. Robin sets up the camera, Eva takes a seat with the students and I begin:
“Who can tell me something about Tata Duende?” Hands shoot up in the air, “Miss! Miss! He is a short man who protects the forest.” “He wears a humungous sombrero.” “He has no thumbs!” I write their responses on the board encouraging stronger vocabulary. “yes, that’s right, let’s think of a more interesting adjective for ‘short.’ The students call out, “midget!” “Dwarf” “Miniature!” “Puny!” I scribble their answers in chalk.

We continue dialoguing about Tata Duende, La Llorona, Xtabai and el Cadejo, the shape shifting canine. Students become more animated as they recall detail after detail about these spirits. I ask them, “Do you believe they really exist?” Nearly unanimously, they respond, “YES!”

I point out how these legends exist all throughout the indigenous peoples of Belize; Creole, Garifuna, Maya and Mestizo; and in fact, the details of the stories intertwine though there are variations region to region and culture to culture. Often the students are surprised to hear that Tata Duende is not only Mestizo, that the Creole and Garifuna have versions, and the Maya call him Alux. I explain that Duende is also prevalent in OTHER cultures throughout Central and South America. We talk about how these legends, these stories connect us; we are not so different after all. It is important to show this connection, to value Their culture while also showing the interconnection outside Belize, too.

I teach basic story structure, how to write a strong introductory paragraph, explode a moment technique; describing second by second what would happen if one met Xtabai face to face. I include lots of examples and I share a “true” story of my experience with Xtabai on a bus in San Jose. Students listen attentively as they write their own stories… What Would Happen If You Met One of these Legends Face to Face?

Most of the students seem to enjoy the writing experience. They definitely enjoy hearing about Their cultural stories. Their grammar and spelling may not be perfect, ok, it is not even close to perfect, but their creativity is amazing. Their ability to let their minds go and simply spill forth ideas is really inspiring. And of course, these are not simply stories, in their experience, these spirits are REAL.

We do four 1.5 hour sessions for 140 students, by the end of the day, I am tired, but fulfilled and encouraged by the students’ response. Robin has done a great job filming, I look forward to seeing the footage. Eva has provided much needed support and participated in the lesson herself.

The day is only half over, I will spend the next 6 hours editing their stories; as always astounded by their creativity and slightly saddened by their grammar and spelling. I remind myself, this is Why I am here! They are fortunate to possess such deep creativity, the grammar and spelling can be taught. I edit the stories until 11:30pm, my mind swirling with images of el cadejo, “his firey red eyes, gleaming with the evil of hell.” La Llorona and her “long white gown covered in mud, her tangled hair covering her face.”

Continue reading »]]> And so it begins.
After a 13 hour day traveling, which included waking at 3am to catch the 6:25am flight in Philly, we arrived in Belize to 80 degrees, yay! and slight drizzle which did Not dampen our spirits.

We breezed through customs, with Welcome to Belize and Welcome back! William, our intrepid transportation host and font of wisdom, drove us out to Bullet Tree Falls with commentary of current state of affairs, quite an educational ride with tidbits about politics, cultural differences and life in Belize compared to life in the States; not so different after all!

After a delicious enchilada, rice and veggie dinner, retired to the hum of tree frogs overhead. Within ten minutes, zzzzzz.

Woke up to the calls of parrots, toucans and assorted feathered friends in the trees. Refreshed and ready to GO!

Today we plan to walk the 2+ miles to Bishop Martin School to make a schedule for the week; in Belize most everything is scheduled IN Person and In the Moment. We will walk back to Bullet Tree Falls and check in with Immaculate Concepcion School as well. Then into town to Sacred Heart Junior College to check on the training for Saturday!

Oh yes, a good day!

Continue reading »]]> Thanks to the generosity of so many of You, we met our goal on our fundraising campaign, Little Girl, Big Dream! This January Robin Reichert, Storyteller and videographer, and Eva Behrens a PhD student studying Garifuna culture will be volunteering with Literacy Outreach Belize. Rammses, the film maker from Bogota plans to join next year, as unfortunately his Visa to Belize was denied for the current trip.

We plan to record a Training Video as well as complete visits to 3 village schools, 2 inner city schools and teacher trainings in 3 locations. We will also be doing a special program at the San Igancio Library.

We are excited about our adventure, and as always will use the funds wisely and frugally.

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

With gratitude,
Kristin

Continue reading »]]> I was so pleased when Erin at Better World Books contacted me about writing a guest entry on their blog after I had made a positive comment about their wonderful website on facebook a little while back. In case you don’t know, Better World Books collects and disseminates books all over the world, their goals are to prevent books from ending up in landfills while also providing books at low cost or in donation form to several literacy partners worldwide.

I have not yet partnered with them in receiving donated materials, however, I am a HUGE fan of Better World Books because of the continued volunteer efforts as well as their generosity in providing FREE Shipping worldwide. This helps make books much more affordable.

If you have a moment, please visit the link to learn how they’ve helped expand Literacy in Belize: Better World Books Blog

Continue reading »]]>
2012 marks the lucky 13th volunteer trip to Belize.
Kristin hopes to collaborate with Rammses Moctezuma, storyteller/film maker to create a documentary for use as another training tool not only in Belize, but World Wide! We will also be doing volunteer visits and literacy programs in several villages.

So, how can YOU help Literacy Outreach Belize make it’s lucky 13 trip in January 2012? You can be one of our sponsors!

It’s easy to help, dig deep and send your donations to:

Continue reading »]]> Performing at Universidad Javeriana in Bogota Colombia was a great experience. I am uber impressed with the respectfulness and attentiveness of the students here. Storytelling is an important part of the student’s lives. In fact on every campus once a week there are performances. And EVERY week hundreds of students gather to listen.

It is fantastic on so many levels:
they are learning the stories of their cultures
they are learning the art of storytelling
they are learning how to be a good audience
and they are learning important life lessons while also laughing.

I began with Camping with Colombians, a true story about what happens when one camps with 3 “expert” campers in Parque Tayrona with only the following provisions: 1 can of tuna, 1 tomato, 1 red pepper, 2 bottles of Soy Sauce, 4 litres of water and 1 Large Bottle of Rum. “Gringa, don’t worry,” became the mantra of the tale. Though in the end it all worked out. Carlos did spear a small fish for us. We did make a tasty soup with the ingredients on hand (though for me, 2 bottles of soy sauce in ONE soup, proved to be a bit much.) I did learn some new camping skills such as how to reignite a fire while wearing a snorkel mask and fanning the flames with a pot lid. And the big bottle of rum proved to be helpful when all 4 of us ended up “sychronized sleeping” in a tent made for two.

The students laughed at all the right places, it was a joyous experience for me to be able to tell in my own language and be understood.

The students stayed even as it began to rain on us. I was impressed, the 70 or so students did not leave nor complain, but sat outside through the rain until we decided to head indoors. Our trek to the classroom was similar to the Pied Piper.

I decided to continue with humor and on a whim I shared

The Big Wheel Race, a story I’ve always wanted to tell about participating in the Big Wheel Race in NYC. I shared it was gusto, re-enacting the purchase of the Big wheel; the bus ride into NYC with said Big Wheel, a colorful description of the Superheros gathered for the race, and then the RACE itself! An event that, two years later is still one of my favorite experiences, Ever! Careening down the hill in Central Park at 20mph, while wearing a blue cape and bubble wrap elbow and knee pads, screaming like a child the entire way down. It was indeed, Awesome! More awesome was the line that popped into my brain, “And when others in the crowd asked if they could share my Big Wheel, I responded, ‘Yes You Can!’ Just like Barack Obama!” The students dissolved into fits of laughter.

We ended our time together with Free Hugs Around the World. You know you’ve truly connected to a college student audience when you see them wiping away tears. I shared my journey of doing Free Hugs all over the world. In 30 cities in a dozen countries. An especially poingent moment in the story was when I had the honor of hugging a child in Paris with autism. His mother stood nearby and began to cry. When I asked her what was wrong she responded, “He has never hugged another person nor looked them in the eye. You are special.” I replied, “And so are you.” Then with arms open wide, I gestured to the students and whispered, “and so are You.” Afterwards several students gathered around me expressing their desire for a Free Hug. Of course, I obliged!

It was a most wonderful experience and I am grateful to Quiero Cuento for inviting me to share! HUGS!