Guate Life: Semana Santa

Hola a todos!

During the beginning of this week I was still in recovery mode from being sick. Ironically, the medicine made me sicker than the parasites, but by Wednesday I was back to 100%. This week has been Semana Santa (Holy Week), a holiday observed by all Guatemalans. The week was full of religious processions, special food for the occasion like dulce de garbanzo, and lots of family time. Central Park was always filled with people and vendors and when my timing was right, I caught a few processions, complete with musicians, incense, and men in purple robes carrying large wooden statues.

Guarderia

There was no school during Semana Santa, so Amy, the coordinator, decided to make Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday field trip days with the jovenes (13 of the oldest kids) at the Guarderia. On Monday, we headed to COPAVIC, a glass factory in Cantel where they make decorative chalices, margarita glasses, vases, etc. out of recycled glass, which are shipped all over the world. We got to see the glass blowers at work, using hollow metal rods to pull out molten glass from big brick ovens and then blowing it into something as intricate as a wine glass. Tuesday, we collaborated with Voces de Cambio, a local nonprofit that teaches photography classes to adolescent girls as part of their self esteem/women empowerment program. Three young women who had participated in their program taught our group the basics of photography, as well as led some team building activities. Afterwards, we headed to the park to let the kids try out their skills with their new disposable cameras. Next week, we are going to get them developed and have a little exhibition at Pop Wuj. On Wednesday, the kids got to experience yet another first, a trip to Las Piscinas (the pools) in the beautiful agricultural community of Alomolonga. For most of them, it was their first time in water. Fortunately, the pools were shallow and no one had to know how to swim. I attempted to teach them some of the basics of swimming and floating. As an extra treat we took them out for pizza and ice cream as nice way to end the week. Along with everything else, the Guarderia was closed Thurs and Fri.

Stoves
Thursday was an ad-hoc stove building day. We completed the third and final stage of Dona Juana’s new stove. Since I did the initial interview, heard her story and met her family, and helped purchase the supplies, this stove seemed extra special to me. After a long morning of putting on the finishing touches, she served us big bowls spaghetti as a way of saying thanks. Next week, the volunteers start a completely new stove project with 10 families in another rural community.

Pues, es todo por ahora,

¡Tenga un buen día y Feliz Pascua! (Easter)

Carrie