We first noticed the shortage
of school supplies in Mexico when we were spending a few weeks there. Our neighbors'
children took turns doing their homework with our one pen.
We started bringing school supplies with us each time we went to Mexico. Pencils,
notebooks, rulers and pens. The reaction of the children was such that you would
think we were passing out doubloons. One little boy with the unforgettable name
of Julius Caesar was so thrilled at his two-pencil gift that he walked off and
forgot the postcards he was trying to sell us.
This
reaction was the same all over Mexico. These simple supplies were treated as if
they had value.