Its been alot of years since I have lived with a large group of people! I had not given the reality of group life much thought beyond wondering about finding time for myself, and I have been pleasantly surprised at the experience.
We are living in luxury by Guatemalan standards, a beautiful estate called Vista Dorado which overlooks the bay around which Santiago is built. We have hot !!! and cold running water and live in two homes on the property. Six people in one and five in the other. Two of our team members have been the cooks, really the chefs as the food has been wonderful. I had thought I would lose weight here but so far that is not the case. ( Just so you all don´t think all is sweetness and light we do all our own laundry by hand and hang it to dry. And there is no drinking the water so I have to stay conscious even in the middle of the night not to inadvertantly put some nasty bugs into my system).
I share room and bathroom with two other women both in their twenties. We have come to an easy partnership in terms of space and daily routine. It helps I think that every one is here by choice and is focused on having a good experience and in making a difference for the kids and community in Chacaya.
I am the only member of the team who does not belong to the church which sponsored this mission. I was also a bit concerned that my lack of adherence to the faith of the group might be a deterent to feeling part of the group but that has certainly not been the case. The other members are understanding that I do not subscribe to their faith and I work hard to ensure I am respectful of their practices.
Religion aside we all have a strong value in social justice which is the tie that binds us together. We are seeing the fruits of our labours as kids excitedly brush their teeth, as the stoves the mission has sponsored are constructed and as the the way of offering and providing help evolved based on the relationships the mission team is building with other non profits providing service in the community.
More team members arrive in the coming days and with that the group dynamics will change but the mission is near and end and we have lot of work to do in this last 10 days. I expect at the group forms and reforms we will all be so busy getting the jobs done that the time will be gone before we know it.
Adios para hoy
Colina ( my Spanish name as Colleen is much too difficult to pronounce)
LIFE School
These doors open to the school office and library.
Chalking
On my last day I did a school assembly on Canada. I capped the 45 minute lesson with an activity near and dear to the hearts of most kids in Canada in the spring - drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.
A LIFE School Classroom
Not nearly as high tech as most of the classrooms in Canada and full of us much learning and excitement as any I have been in.
Guatemala
Department of Solala
Like a province or state, the department is the regional political entity. Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel are located on opposite sides of Lago Atitlan
Garden Gate
on the lowlands of Santiago Atitlan
Statue of Christ on the cross
The statue has been cleaned, tied to the cross which is raised at the front of the church.
The casket as it begins the procession.
Sixty men, each with a tag on his shoulder noting his place move the casket along the route. A second team of sixty men take over at the half way point, about 7 to 8 hours after the procession begins.
Statue of Mary
Mary's statue follows the casket on the first part of the procession.
Santiago
Saint James as he follows Mary and the casket of Christ on the church Plaza
Building the Alfombra #1
The pattern elements are chalked on to the cobblestone and the first strips of carpet are laid.
Alfombras #2
The stencils are placed on the sections of coloured sawdust to build layers of contrasting colours.
Alfombra #3
A section of the completed carpet laid in the church plaza.
Catholic Church of Santiago
Friday evening - all is quiet
Photo for Mom
For Kate
A photo she would take
Local Transport
Pickup (notice the bar in the centre for balance) from a tuc tuc
Towards Santiago Atitlan
Strip market gardens roll down to the Lake
Vista Dorado
View from our front steps
Microscopia Amigos
Two grade six students study an onion skin slide with the microscopes we donated to the schools.
Soccer is Serious Play in Guatemala
This is one of a number of games played during a week devoted to basketball and soccer tournaments. Thats the Chacaya Lower School Junior Team in the blue jerseys donated by a league in the Comox Valley.
Dental Lessons
Prior to the arrival of our team dentist many of us were engaged with supporting dental lessons for about 500 kids who live in villages around the Lake. Kids learned the importance of brushing their teeth and had a practical lesson in how to do it.
Water
At Chukamuk Uno the women have to come here to get their water. This settlement built after Hurricane Stan as no water in its pipes because the well water is full of sulfer. The water in this cistern is pumped directly from Lago Atitlan and trucked to the settlement.
Astronomy Lesson
Pedro shows his primary students how the earth (a ball used to play soccer) rotates on its axis.
Coffee Berries
The berries are picked by men who are paid about $7 for a 100 lb sack. The seed is what becomes the coffee bean.
Hauling the Soil for the Garden
A group of boys went with Nicholas and hauled this very rich soil from for spots on the mountain. Then the students used a variety of innovative techniques to get the soil up from the road to the garden plots - about a 50 foot rise.
Working on the Garden
One of the few pictures of me - working with the kids to plant the garden
Stove project - after
This stove, modified to minimize the amount of wood used as well as the amount of smoke generated provides families with a relatively smoke free environment and a place to warm up in the rainy season.
Stove Project - before
Women cook on open fires with minimal ventilation. Kids are often straped to their backs meaning both Mom and baby breathe in the fire smoke
I know what is healthy food
Food groups a la Guatemala
Mother and daughter in tipico ropas
The huipile (embroidered blouse) and corte (wrap around skirt) are typical clothing for women in Guatemala.
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