There has been a one day extension to Project Genesis due to several last minute unexpected donations.
As a group, we decided to focus the funds on improving the living condition of two of the 20 families we had worked with. Our selection assessment was based on the greater need and where we saw children struggling the most.
We decided to go with the Velazquez family and Mrs Enilita and her children (as seen in pic above).
For the Velazquez family, as some of you may remember from my past blogs, were in need of a roof. The children and baby were waking up in wet and damp blankets because their aluminum roof had holes in it. Here is a picture of the children from a past blog so you may recall their living conditions and faces.
Today, thanks to the extra funding donated to Project Genesis, we built a new aluminum roof over the room where the children sleep so rain water does not drip down on them and wet or dampen their blankets. We also decided to build a latrine for the Velazquez family and brought Christmas gift bags for the children.
One of the reasons I was happy the Velazquez family was approved by the group is the strong presence of need from the children. They run to us and hold our hand as soon as we get up the mountain to their house. I've been up to their house about 8 times now and every time it's difficult for me to leave the children. They are happy/sad moments I will not soon forget. We have to constantly remind them to move away from the construction site because they can get hurt, but eventually they make their way back to one of us because they are children. Children seek love and attention...I would stop the work I was doing to be with them...sometimes fighting back tears...what more can I do? Knowing that the answer will never come because it does not exist. Instead, I focus on the love and attention I can offer in that moment and move on. I can't change the world. I tried and the world changed me. But I can help one human being at a time. Just for today.
Replacing the old roof with a new aluminum roof.
Moments with the Velazquez children, Fidelia and Mariana. I've always wanted to have a little girl of my own with long hair so I could brush it and braid it. I never expected to live out this scene in the Guatemalan mountains with these two little girls.
Next, we partially completed the latrine. It will be finished tomorrow. Unlike the Velazquez's family other latrine, this one was built down wind from their house and at a proper distance to best prevent diseases.
After we left the Velazquez family, we made a pit stop to pick up an extra 2 dozens of wood. Because of your most recent donations via Project Genesis we were able to rebuild a small house for Mrs Enilita and her children. Not only that, we also purchased a new bed for her children, a new foam mattress for her other bed, pots, pans, cooking and eating utensils, new dishes, cups and two warm blankets. This was a complete team effort. Generacion Magnificat (local volunteer group) and Francos Charity Travels (my non profit org) really came together as ONE as this was by far the most challenging project. Some of us, like me, had no previous construction experience, even then, we came together and built Mrs Enilita the best home we could. Minor details are still pending completion. Overall, a roaring success. Below are pictures of what her house looked like and us working to build her a better home.
While the building continued several of us left to purchase the bed and other items.
Construction took place from about 8am to 5:30pm with an hour break for afternoon chow.
Please remember that building tools, supplies, and equipment are very limited in Sibinal. After we had cleaned up the site we called Mrs Enilita into her remodeled home, sang Christmas carols, each one of us hugged her and wished her a Merry Christmas and presented her with the gifts.
This last project concludes Project Genesis. Christmas Day we will be doing home visits and handing out Christmas gift bags to the children. Thank you all, especially donors who made Project Genesis a reality. Who thought we would have enough funding left over to build one of the 20 families a home? Happy Holidays from Generacion Magnificat and me!!!
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