Day 3: Emotional Labor

Today was a physically draining day. More than physical, I was emotionally overwhelmed and saddened after listening to people's stories of surviving in extreme poverty. 

The day started by moving several of the all-purpose wash stations to the homes of the 20 families. These 1,500 pound wash stations are solid concrete and very heavy. It took about 6-8 of us to move them from one place to another. 

One of the families, Mr and Mrs Velasquez, we delivered an all-purpose wash station lived high in the mountains. We had no idea how we would get the 1,500 lb wash station up a narrow pathway without putting someone's life in danger. Mrs Velasquez was reluctant to give up her wash station and made harmless threats she would carry it up herself if she had to. How could a piece of concrete hold so much value to someone? I quietly asked myself this question. I could see in Mrs Velasquez's eyes the importance the wash station had to her. We decided to explore our options and go up to her house and see if we could find an alternative route. As we arrived to the top a cold bucket of guilt washed over me as I saw the living conditions the Velazquez family was living in. As we approached what seemed to be the kitchen her daughter came out with hot coffee and sweet bread. The Velazquez family hardly had anything, yet here stood a young lady offering us their best, most likely their breakfast. We scouted the area for alternative routes but came up with nothing. I knew something had to be done. I couldn't imagine telling Mrs Velazquez that she wouldn't get her wash station. Our group came up with an alternative plan: we would purchase a highly durable plastic wash station for the Velazquez family. Although it was almost 3 times the amount of a concrete wash station we felt compelled to invest the money. Below you can see pictures of how high up The mountain the Velazquez residence was. Also, pictures of the family, their home, and us carrying the plastic wash station up to their home. 

The next family we went to visit was Mrs Jobita's home. Mrs Jobita is a widow. A few years ago her husband died from cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism. Last Christmas, I had visited Jobita for the first time and given her children donated Christmas gifts. Images of her daughter Tania captivated many people who kept up with my blog. Through Project Genesis donations from the US Mrs Jobita can now enjoy a new stove which was recently installed. Thank you all who contributed to Mrs Jobita's and her children's well-being by providing them with a place to have their meals cooked. 

The next family we delivered all-purpose wash station and members of the volunteer group had built her a stove. Mrs Silvia has 2 girls, Faridy and Dulce, and 1 boy named Jeffery. She quickly put her wash station to use by giving one of her daughters a head shower. She was grateful for the donations made in the US to help people like her. She voiced how sometimes she felt abandoned and forgotten but not after receiving these donated gifts. Her gratitude was overcoming in a good way. Below are pictures of her and the children. 

The next was a family of 5 which included Mrs Flor and her husband Ubalindo. They also had 2 girls and 1 boy. The boy, named Jimmy has Downs Sydrome making it hard for his mom to get daily chores done around the house. Thanks to donations for Project Genesis, having a stove will now allow Mrs Flor a quicker more efficient way to prepare meals for her family; which means more attention for Jimmy. Below are pictures of the stove they use now, and pictures of the stove they will use in a day or two after the mortar dries. 

The next person, Mrs Antonia, impacted me the most. The amount of suffering she has endured along with living in extreme poverty proved sufficient enough for me to leave for a bit and gather myself before resuming our visit. Mrs Antonia lives with her daughter Arelina who has a mental disorder. Mrs Antonia is uncertain of her daughters age and believes her daughters mental disorder is a clear sign of Gods punishment toward her for getting pregnant with Arelina from a married man. Mrs Antonia also believes she poisoned her daughter through her breast milk because she was so bitter and sad. Mrs Antonia is even uncertain of her own age and says since the death of her 5 children little matters to her. She is unable to work because she has nobody to watch her mentally ill daughter. However, neighbors have taken compassion on her by sharing meals and firewood with her. This week, thanks to the donations made by people like you in the US, Mrs Antonia and Arelina now have a concrete floor and a latrine. Please see the pictures below and note how important it was for Mrs Antonia to get her daughters face in the picture.

The final visit of the day was an elderly lady named Justa who was not selected as part of the 20 families for Project Genesis. After carefully listening to her story and assessing her living situation with her permission we realized she was in critical need of our help. Mrs Justa suffers from asthma attacks and bronchitis often caused from years of inhaling fumes from burning stoves inside homes without adequate ventilation. Mrs Justa's doctors strongly advised her against using inside stoves but she cannot afford a ventilated stove and she has to eat if she wants to stay alive so she continues to breathe in fumes which make her asthma attacks worst. As a team, we have decided to build Mrs Justa a stove so her health can improve. Below are pictures of Mrs Justa and the interview I had with her. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who has donated to Project Genesis. Without your support none of this would be made available to a developing country like Guatemala. Have a good night!