Cultural Education & Study Abroad Readiness

After lunch today, we left for a village near Cuernavaca in order to have our mural-painting experience. We convened with a youth group who has painted several murals around the village in order to, as was described to us, decorate and beautify the village, which has had trash collection issues and, subsequently, a lack of aesthetic appeal. A leader within the program told us their goal was to make the village beautiful, "To all people," regardless of if someone could afford a beautiful home or not. The group already had sketched out on paper their image for the design, which focused on agriculture. We waited anxiously while members of the other organization sketched the outline on the all in pencil and black paint, but once that was finished C.E.S.A.R. students and CCIDD employees eagerly joined in the painting process. No one worked more than half an hour at a time, so as to be able to relax, get snacks, and drink water in the shade. However, there were many people working on the mural from outside both C.E.S.A.R. and CCIDD, so there was anything but a shortage of painters.

Without futher ado, here is C.E.S.A.R. in action!

Myzel, Michael, and Quan venture toward the mural

Michael teaches Jorge, a boy he met, a Milwaukee-style handshake

Pachan and Nyesha begin the painting process

Quan paints a corn stalk

Jorge is confused when Myzel and Michael begin speaking in English!

Painting the mural...

Looking better...

The boys take a break to play soccer with local kids

Quan does not take his soccer lightly

Jorge and Myzel do

BEFORE: The mural wall

AFTER: The finished mural!!

The group in front of the completed mural

Anyhow, Maya is going to report on her experience with the mural after she gets out of the pool. Until then, I'll retire for the night, and wish everyone a good night's sleep. More coming tomorrow!

Best,
Aaron