Monday, 19 April 2010 09:11

The particular route runs Malambo school districts that mostly have no paved roads. The 'buseta'e mule' has been operating for 26 years. It has gone to school parents, children and now grandchildren. In 14 districts, includes about thirty children who pay four thousand dollars a week.

It is eight o'clock in the morning on a working day either, and the daily silence that prevails near the Central Nursery of the municipality of Malambo (Atlántico) is interrupted by the gallop of 'Chicho' white horse Jairo Alberto Navarro Diaz .


'Chicho' is dragging a cart in which every day are transported more than 30 children, making this vehicle one of the school transportation officials in this population.


Minutes before lunch time, every little is formed in front of the student center, waiting to take its place in the 'buseta'e mule' finger assigned to Jairo, who is assisted by James Obando, because the difficulties that have to move normally, disability in the legs.

Jairo, a 51-year-old from Magangué (Bolívar), said that the limited possibilities to work I could get, due to their physical problem, came up with the idea of school transport crude. In 1984, when it started, it was with two boys, sons of his friends, to help you weather the economic downturn, he was asked to take them.


"Today, transported to the children of those children with whom I started my job and everybody knows," said Jairo, while on the cell receives the message from a parent who asked not to leave your child in the usual place but in another direction.


That can attest Pantón Carmen, whose daughter over 20 years also went to school in the first tours of 'buseta'e mule', with which Jairo was able to provide education to their four children.

The adventure of going to school


Once embarked on the three tables arranged in the vehicle to accommodate small, the sun strikes the front. Anyone would think that makes them uncomfortable, but the fact is that the face of each of the children expressed happiness, because, for them, a horse like that every day brings to school is one that would like to see in a zoo. 'Chicho' is not only beautiful and gentle, but very white.


Go to study is an adventure in the car of Jairus. We arrived safe and timely, "he says, laughing, the child Carlos Escudero, while a teachers group says it is reliable transportation, the care that we have observed.


The trip takes two hours and crosses for 14 districts of the municipality, most of which has no paved roads.

His 'whistle', instead of whistle is the signal for the parents know that their children are already in the house. But when you do not need to collect them, Jairo's phone call.


The price you pay each child is 4,000 pesos a week, which covers up to three trips a day, because many afternoons were scheduled school activities.


"I have to leave my house very early, and the truth is that it is exhausting work, but at the same time with the children really enjoy," said Jairo.


In the 26 years that Jairo is dedicated to this activity has had 28 horses, because, she says, crime takes away one every year or two, taking advantage of their disability does not allow the defense a lot.

For six months behind the reins of 'Chicho', which hopes to maintain for a long time to not have to suspend their work, while getting a new copy, which can cost around 500,000 pesos.


"That was the only bad thing about this, because in a year until I lost three horses," he said Jairo Alberto Navarro.


ANDRES FERNANDEZ
CORRESPONDENT OF THE TIME
BARRANQUILLA

Bogota April 18, 2010



DOCTOR

ADOLFO GUTIERREZ BERNAL

MAYOR OF THE MUNICIPALITY

ATLANTIC MALAMBO

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone: 3767471 to 3768100 - Fax: 3767471

Dear Doctor:

In a recent publication of the newspaper El Tiempo in which it appears in photo "the minibus" who daily takes the kids to school, which is not a motor vehicle but a horse that moves more than 30 children as set out in that article . In the most courteous and respectful to us to address you as the highest authority of this municipality to replace the animal-drawn vehicle by a motor vehicle to provide the necessary services to infants, but at the same time in an ethical manner prevent human and animal use of excess weight as evidenced by the photos posted.

Please do not ask that two animals are used for transporting small to school but the town may be appropriate and operate a motor vehicle or bus collective standard that all children ride safely and with the times and that no animal is forced to move so much weight. Without affecting children who currently carries the driver who chooses to read the new transport.
In accordance with the law or statute 84 of 89 animal protection authorities must preserve and guarantee the rights, welfare and animal life which is not at odds with the transportation of children to school that way or do not receive a message eg very constructive to be conducted in such a precarious and cruel means of "transportation." For change management must be established as a matter of appreciation of progress, achievement and community appreciation.

Insurance for your prompt management in this regard thank you for your attention.

Cordially

Marcela Ramírez Cruz

RED ANIMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

REDPAA