Can we fix it? Yes we can!!!

(To borrow an expression from Bob the Builder)--
We CAN fix it now!
An extra special thank you to all the locogringos who donated tools for the Hekab Be toolbox! Our wonderful loco friends who helped are:

Badger & Babs
New Traveler
Shellsway 2003
Barata
Shapeshifter & Martha
Sandibel
Sr. Whiskers
Leadsinger
John & Lisa McShane
Walleyeguy
Dave & GBG
Jeanne
Alma

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Here are some other recent improvement projects (click on photos to see larger image):
Our long awaited hopscotch board


A new entrance gate


A new, more visible sign next to the walkway

Starting the new year right

Maggie, Carlos & Reyna are busy as bees cleaning, repainting and organizing the library. They are trying to get everything in order to start the new year right! In the course of doing so they have come up with a new list of things that would be helpful to have around at HB. Please check our wishlist blog at:
http://hbwishlist.blogspot.com/

Other activities include our continuing school outreach programs with reading stories to younger kids, working on research skills with older kids. We also have a returning volunteer from the local community coming in to teach reading comprehension and writing 3 afternoons a week.

We want to add a note of acknowledgment and appreciation for the LG toolbox project. We will be happy to have all this material on hand and understand how frustrating it can be for all our helpers who want to do a project and don't have the tools handy-- this will be a great help to HB!!

Although we don't usually get involved in conversations from the LG message boards, we do follow the threads. Let us say that we are thankful for ALL the donations we get, be they in kind or in cash. The view from here, however, is that as hard as it is to ask people to give money, the reality is that we do need to have a cash inflow to keep HB running. Every single thing inside that little library is a testament to the generosity of our friends and supporters. Think about how miraculous it is that HB has kept going all these years and even grown, all because of people like you.

So, yes, we do have to wave our little red flags every so often to remind folks that part of what we do requires money, but in the process of doing so, it is *not* our intention to belittle the importance of all the other donations people make!

Happy New Year 2008!

Here are some photos from yet another successful Hekab Be Christmas Party!! Many thanks to everyone who helped and sent gifts to make a delightful Christmas for the children of Akumal.

-->click on photos to see larger image<--
Santa and his lovely helpers


Kids lining up to see Santa


A little girl who is very happy with her gift from Santa


Enjoying Christmas treats


One last 'customer' for Santa!


A report on the party from Alice in AZ:
The kids had decorated everything with old fashioned do-it-yourself decorations - Remember those construction paper chains -- they were everywhere! Along with Feliz Navidad signs, holiday paintings, and a sweet Christmas "tree" made out of twigs wrapped in cotton and hung with hand-made ornaments.

Maggie put Christmas carols in Spanish on the boom box, and Carlos helped put tarps for shade over the patio. Tables were set up for the kids on the patio, plus more chairs and tables all over the yard. Balloons were everywhere and the kids loved popping them and scaring each other. They swarmed over the swing set and popped balloons while waiting for
the star attraction.

Then with a jingling of bells (by Maggie) in came Santa (Bart from Turtle Bay with a pillow stuffed in his belly, a Santa beard, and Santa suit) and Senora Santa (his wife dressed in a sexy red dress with white "fur" trim) and another sexy elf in a green dress as a helper. Chuck and the other guys really liked Santa's helpers with their great bodies and cleavage. LOL I asked Santa (when the kids were not listening), how a fat old man like him could get such sexy helpers. He smiled, his eyes twinkled, and said "I have tricks." LOL

Anyways, with lots of ho, ho, ho's and Feliz Navidad's, and kids going nuts, the party really began. Carlos tried to herd the kids into 2 lines of boys and girls under 8. It was a bit like herding cats, but eventually there were neat lines of boys and girls. They really were amazingly obedient and waited their turn, with sparkly eyes as they watched those in front of them get a toy. Each sat on Santa's lap, had his photo taken, and got a present.

The littlest ones were a bit scared of Santa. But Santa was a trooper and carried on. As the children got older, there was a real look of wonder and excitement in their eyes as they sat on Santa's lap and each got a hug, a kiss, and a present!

Next came the older girls and boys, 8-14. It was funny to watch the older boys who definitely wanted a present, but did NOT want to appear like "babies" sitting on Santa's lap. They stood next to Santa and crossed their hands over their chest in a very macho pose for the photo, and then resorted to little boys again as they couldn't wait to get their presents.

Ok, someone asked if they had ever seen the library kids use their donations. Well, here's an update. Each kid got a toy and candy and a fun meal and a seat on Santa's lap.

Thanks to locogringos and others, I saw lots of dolls, baby dolls, and fashion dolls, and little ponies with long hair, and paint sets, for the girls. For the boys, I saw one little boy who got a yellow dump truck. I asked him if he liked it or if he wanted to trade with someone else. He said no way would he trade because he loved the truck! What a happy face. My personal favorite was the Superman "doll" complete with cape that was made to "fly" everywhere. There were lots more toys and backpacks and stuff, but those are the ones I remember most.

Maggie, and I and some of the moms were busy handing out food and drinks, while the kids ate and ran around like crazy. What silly fun! Turtle Bay Bakery donated two huge and gorgeous cakes, decorated with real red hibiscus flowers. The moms and kids gobbled them up, and of course the older boys managed to sneak seconds or maybe thirds -- which was ok but we had to wait until everybody had firsts! Hmm -- boys are boys everywhere.

Oh, and not only did the library look great, but the kids looked great too. I remember after 9/11 when tourism was down, the kids looked raggedy with mismatched clothes and only the cheapest flipflops. Now some of the kids wore fancy sandals or sneakers, most wore matching nice clothing, some of the girls had gold earrings and ribbons in their hair. They looked so cute. (Ok, I am a wannabe grandma, so most kids look cute to me.) Also, at the party in 2001, most of the children did not open their presents. They wanted to save them to open at home on Christmas because they knew there probably would not be any others. this year, with a bit more prosperity, the kids ripped open those presents with glee! I loved it.
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Special thanks to Alice & Chuck, too, for their Xmas gift to HB, a new 6 volume set of children's encyclopedias!