Sept 29 - Costano Elementary School, East Palo Alto

Our LIFT team signed up to be part of the Children's Festival in Costano Elementary School in East Palo Alto. We helped run some of the activities in the school on that day.The entrance to the elementary school was through a really small, nondescript driveway. I recognized Larry driving out of the school. He was beaming, probably had enjoyed himself!

Larry and Karen in smiles!

Karen was there for the morning shift too and said that she instantly loved the feeling of community. She enjoyed watching the kids when they were having fun. She loved the break dancers too - oh! the music was great too! She manned the basketball booth and I wonder if she got as addicted to it as I did! If you score one basket, you cannot move away from it!

I took over her shift in the afternoon. A little girl came up to the booth and tried so hard to get the basket. She was unsuccessful about 99% of the time. But she never gave up. Finally, after about many minutes, she finally got her first shot. She was so proud. And wanted to do this all over again. Meanwhile, a little line had grown behind her. I had to gently guide her to other activities at the other tables. She returned in less than five minutes saying that she had done play-dough and wanted to try to play basket ball again!

Vanessa was confidently managing a popular destination - the big slide. She had many simultaneous customers and with a beautiful smile on her face, she steered them in small groups onto the huge slide. She returned back from Peru just a day ago..and she didnt look like she was jet-lagged. I learned later about how poor I was in geography. Peru is just two hours behind Pacific Standard Time! I am used to 13 hour differences when I travel to India!!

Tiffany owned the jump house in the afternoon. Her customers were so highly energetic that she got worried whenever there were little ones inside along with the big kids! When it was time to close at 4:00pm, the children didnt want to get out. The machine had to be turned off before the they came out of the bounce house!

Overall, it was a great opportunity for us to evaluate this project. We will have suggestions and feedback right away.