Day two

Today we began our actual volunteering at safe passage. We started out helping with English classes to 9th graders. They had varying degrees of English skills as well as a wide span of ages. At first, they seemed reluctant to participate, but as the activity progressed they warmed up to us. After working with two classes, we moved on to doing an activity with another class that we will be working again with later this week. We decided to make paper cut out snowflakes with them because they had never experienced snow. Although they were older kids, some were as old as 20, they seemed to really enjoy the creative outlet. After lunch, we had an interesting meeting to learn about what it is like to be a longterm volunteer here. In the afternoon, we repeated the same schedule as this morning, but with the younger children. In the English classes we played a board game. Because they were younger, they were rowdier and harder to communicate with. When we made the snowflakes with a 6th grade class, we had a much different experience than in the morning. The kids enjoyed the snowflakes,but very quickly a paper airplane war ensued. Paper was everywhere. Some kids even made spitballs. At the end, the kids all worked together to cleanup thier mess. Overall it was a very busy but very satisfying day

Final thoughts

We’ve been back in Maine for a few days now and many of us are still feeling the after-effects of our short time in Guatemala working at Safe Passage.  We found it difficult to leave the work and children behind in Guatemala.  Many in our group have said they wished they could have stayed another week or month…or longer.  We take comfort in the thought that the week we spent with the children of Safe Passage does not have to be the end of our experience; some are talking about returning some time soon in the future, others are talking about sponsorship.  However, whatever we each decide to do, we know that what we should NOT do is allow this amazing, and for some life-changing experience, to fade from our memories.  To that end, we have already begun to share our stories and experiences with classmates, colleagues, family and friends.

To give of oneself freely and openly to another human being, particularly a child, is a powerful experience; we are fortunate enough to be able to give so much, given our comparatively privileged lifestyle.  We are proud of each other and most grateful to our school, community and families for all of the support and encouragement given to us throughout the experience.  Muchas gracias.

We’re home!

We arrived back in Boston on time Sunday night and most took the bus to Portland, arriving about 1:30 am. Some of us brought a nasty head/chest cold back from Guatemala. It’s a small price to pay though for an amazing experience. We will post one more time in a few days to share some final thoughts and impressions. In the meantime, thank you everybody for following our blog and for your many words of encouragement and support; Falmouth is truly a special place!

Final day – Saturday

Today was incredible. We took the kids out of their normal habitat and brought them to an enormous water park. This allowed them to experience another part of life they have never been exposed to. The bus ride there was a blast. Once we arrived we got to see the black sand beach and swim in the ocean. Then we hit the water slides and tidal wave pool. We had a yummy american style lunch and then departed the park around 2. The bus ride home was quiet, many slept or silently took in the natural beauty of Guatemala. Dropping the kids off was extremely sad, no one wanted to say goodbye. Our debriefing tonight was emotional but reminded us all of why we are here and the good work we have done. It’s going to be difficult to pack up and leave but we can always come back and visit again.

Day 5 – Friday

Today was our final day working at the school with the kids. We worked as english tutors with both the younger and older kids. Today we also worked on the second part of our project with both our classes. With class pictures we had previously taken on Wednesday we had the kids create and decorate pictures frames that they could take home with them. The kids often lack a sense of pride in themselves and felt good about giving their craft projects to us. Despite how little they have, the kids gained an obvious sense of pride gifting their crafts to us. One little girl gave jenna her bracelet and another gave sam her frame. Our experience here in Guatemala and volunteering at Safe Passage is especially humbling and we’re all sad to see it come to an end.

Day 4 – Thursday

Everything changes when kids get involved. A long day in the Guardería cemented this understanding best. The drive in took us through the maws of poverty and squallor, and left an acrid taste in our mouths. It served to highlight the magnitude of the problems facing the people of Guatemala, but still more significant, it reaffirmed the significance of the work we were to undertake. Entering into the complex itself is akin to arriving in Nárnia, a magical transition and striking dichtomy with the outside world. Only a “wardrobe” of corrugared steel and razor wire served to mark the threahold between the cold imperfect world and the oásis of life it had given birth to. But it wasnt the change in decor, or even the notable appearance of color, that made the structure stand apart from the grim surroundings.

It was hope. The children in the building were all well under the age of ten, and their life stories could easily tangle with that of a fully grown adult. But each smiling face bore witness to the endurance of the human spirit. The children, those in most dire need of physical possessions and material wealth, sought only affection. And affectionate they were. Whether in search of someone to read a book, a caballo on which to get a piggy back ride, or something as simple as simple as a quiet but encouraging companion, the kids never ceased in finding unique ways to bond with us. Seeing them leave through the razorwire at the end of the day was wrenching in more ways than one, but the passion with which they engaged in Safe Passage reveals a bright light and the end of a long and twisting tunnel. In the honesty that they live their lives with, their is a lesson for us all.

Also, Jenna says hi to her mom and dad.

Day 3 – some final thoughts

Mr. Carver and I were só moved today by the compassion, patience and effort of ALL of our students as they worked with the children of Safe Passage today. You all would be proud to see them in action, and it’s no exageration to say that they give us hope for the future.
Thank you, parents, for entrusting your children to us for the week and for helping them to become the fine young adults they are.

Muchas gracias,
Senor Bennett

Day3 – Wednesday

We got an early start today and it was our first full day working with the students. We divided into groups and worked as English tutors to begin with, rotating between different groups of students. We did our first group project with the 4th and 7th graders, as we made tshirts with the kids. It is amazing to see how such little things (in our eyes) bring so much joy and happiness to the kids. Something as simple as taking picture with the kids and their shirts or helping them draw a heart. Although today had an overall more positive mood and happy atmosphere, helping and hanging out with the kids, as a group we struggled with the reality of the students’ lives outside the walls of Safe Passage. While we come back to this great hotel and are treated to these amazing dinners, the kids go home to the slums without a hot meal or warm bed (typically) to comfort them. We are all looking forward to working with the kids again tomorrow. It is a true privilege to work with the students of Safe Passage everyday.

Day 2 – tuesday

after a very emotional second day we are all now gathered in the hotel room courtyard reliving the days events. The day began with the group debriefing at the safe passage headquarters located in antigua. We met the executive director, Richard schmaltz and the upbeat coordinator, Freddie who had the pleasure of working with hanley denning from the beginning. On our way to gautemala city we were struck by the intense juxtapositions of gautemalan society, for example the rich and the poor. Once in the city our first stop was a visit to an immense cemetery that ended with our first sight of the Guatemala city dump – the largest municipal dump in central America. The endless stream of trash, hovering buzzards and fowl stench proved to be overwhelming for even the most emotionally grounded. Following our visit to the dump, we traveled to the safe passage schools where we ate a delicious lunch, met with the English language coordinator, the health coordinator and toured the school. Just before departing for Antigua, we payed a visit to la guardería, which is the safe passage day care. Once back in Antigua, the group took a breather and spent some time exploring the shops and marketplace of the village. We got plenty of practice speaking the language through bartering with the locals for the best possible bargains. We concluded our day with a delicious feast at the rainbow cafe. Everyone is having a great time with one another and is looking forward for the week to come. Buenos noches

Day 2

Our second day has been wonderful! We had our official welcome from the executive director of Safe Passage this morning, as well as a crash course in Guatemalan history by Feddy Maldonado. Freddy was a close friend of Hanley and has been with the project since the start. Mr. Carver and I will let the students fill in the details in another posting later tonight (we’re 2 hours behind Maine). But please know that all of the students are doing great and are a pleasure to work and travel with – we’re very impressed and proud.

All the best from Antigua,
Señor Bennett