If you were only in school for 7 months a year, what would you do during your 5 month long break? The children in the village of Monte Bello have plenty to do!

I talked to our twelve year old friend, Luceo Jr., about the different seasons in the rainforest. Luceo and his father have been paddling with us for a couple of days and will go back home today.

Luceo Jr. says that he and his siblings prefer the rainy season over the dry season. Why? Because in Monte Bello, school is not in session when the streets are flooded! That means that the kids are out of school from late December until the middle of May. How about that for winter break!

The kids like the break from school, because they enjoy helping their parents with daily chores. The boys fish, hunt, and make house repairs with their fathers. The girls prepare dinner, wash the clothes, and take care of the younger children with their mothers. In Luceo's family, there is not much gardening to be done in the rainy season. That is a chore that the whole family usually participates in during the dry season. In the rainy season, the kids are off the hook from garden work until May! But they have to work extra hard at hunting and fishing, so they can supply the family with food when the garden is not growing. Luceo's family also bakes and sells bread to make money to buy food during this time.

Because of all of this extra help, Luceo's parents are thankful that their children are not in school during the rainy season!

If it weren't for the rain, would we love the sun?

Anna