peal the bell…peals of laughter

Sunday I arrived in Jean Rabel; the third stop on this three stop tour. In Jean Rabel the Religious of Jesus and Mary live on the second floor of Saint Mary’s school; a “national” primary school for girls, first through sixth grade. I have a bird’s eye view of the school yard from our balcony. The school is located next to St. John the Baptist Catholic church.

My room is the last one on the right, half the house is hidden by a large tree

St. John the Baptist Church, Jean Rabel

The days In Jean Rabel are punctuated by the sights and sounds of church and school. A little after 5 AM the church bell rings, a wakeup call! Around 6 AM the bell rings again, a call to 6am mass. After mass we have morning prayer followed by breakfast. At 8 AM the school day starts with a flag raising, the singing of the national anthem & prayer. Throughout the morning I can hear the girls reciting their lessons in French. Around 10 AM there is recess …and you hear peals of laughter and the shouts of little girls at play. Jump rope seems to be a favorite pass time. Around noon the girls can be seen taking their lunch in shifts, by class. At 1 PM the students leave for the day. Shortly thereafter another group of students arrive. There is an alternative school in the afternoon for the restavek children; the children who work as domestic servants. The Religious of Jesus and Mary were instrumental in establishing the alternative school for these children whose life situation generally prevents them from attending school. By 5 PM the school yard grows quiet. At 6pm, the church bell rings the Angelus. No real need for a clock in Jean Rabel!

St. Mary's girls at play