Themes throughout...

I noticed a correlation between the theme of money, in India, and Karen's cooking/gardening class at Bahia Vista.  I have noticed that many of the children that attend Bahia Vista do not come from wealthy families.  In fact, the majority of them come from poorer families, who most likely do not live comfortably.  However, Karen and all of the other faculty members do not treat the children and parents differently because of their financial statuses.  Instead, I noticed that the community members at Bahia Vista feel very welcomed and are supported by many of the faculty members at Bahia Vista.  This type of environment allows people who are not financially comfortable to feel safe and welcomed when in reality, if they step out of the Canal or Bahia Vista even, they may not be accepted.  

You will be taken on a journey to an elementary school in the Canal district of San Rafael, California.  Bahia Vista, the elementary school, provides a wide range of education to students in grades K-5.  At Bahia Vista, there are many faculty members that sacrifice and give a lot for their students.  You will be taken to a cooking class and gardening class led by a supportive and optimistic woman who allows students to open and expand their minds.  From looking at the outside of the garden, you will see a wire fence, with fabric hanging all around every side of it.  This fabric is there to help the garden grow, unrestricted and unharmed by the winds.  Upon entrance of the garden, you will see many plants, strawberries, fennel, broccoli, and more, all planted and grown by tiny little hands.  All of the work put into the garden is done by children at Bahia Vista and Karen, who has been cut for funding for her class.  Yet, the garden remains.  

The theme that relates to First5 Marin, that I chose, was flexibility and availability in the narrative from Greece.  First5 works as a funding organization and needs to be flexible upon where they spend their money and how they spend it.  Although they would like to help more people, they are focused on children ranging from ages 0-5.  The people at First5 know what they're doing and get as much done as they possibly can to help people in need, especially children.  They help families care for their children and proivde teaching to them as well, so that families can be proactive in the health and well-being of their children berore something happens, that they may not be able to afford.