Day 5: The Widow

Several years ago I met a wise man who saved my life. This man taught me to once again lead by example; to walk the talk and not just talk about doing or changing things in my life. He challenged me to take ACTION. Overtime, I have learned to talk less and listen more. 

This morning I sat in on a meeting with a group of mayors from the surrounding villages in Sibinal. The volunteer group in Sibinal, Grupo Magnificat, had set up a meeting with the village mayors regarding the Christmas gifts we have for the children in their villages. I courteously explained to them that the donations had no political or religious affiliation. They were simply from one human being to another human being. I continued to tell them about Project Genesis and Christmas for Guatemalan Children and how 100% of the money donated was used for either projects. I was surprised to see one of them checking his phone and I politely directed my attention toward him and asked what he thought about the projects. He said probably nobody from his village would show up because our gifts were cheap and not useful. When I asked what gifts he thought would be useful he drew a blank stare. One of the volunteers from Grupo Magnificat asked what the other village mayors thought about the gifts being received. Almost in unison the other mayors spoke up thanking the people who had donated the money so their children could have Christmas gifts. Almost all of them, except for the one mayor, agreed to have their children present to receive a food item, clothing item, school supplies, back packs, dental hygiene kits, shoes, and toys. Below are pictures taken inside the small municipal building in Sibinal where most mayor meetings take place. 

 

Don Jose, a 41 year old father of 8 children, recently lost his wife to uncontrollable bleeding (hemorrhaging) after she spontaneously miscarried their 9th child. Visiting Don Jose's home this afternoon to inspect the stove which was built for him via Project Genesis, I was overcome by his expressed tenderness  for his children. I found him braiding his daughters hair as can be seen below. 

Don Jose's story could be tragic. I found it otherwise, he was different than most of the families I have visited in the sense that he is a driven man with a passion for the well-being of his children. A determined, yet gentle soul moving in a sea of tiny hands reaching for a bit of their father's love and affection. 

During my interview with Don Jose, I asked him what we could do for his children. He spoke about his inability to go to work because he doesn't have anyone to look after his children. All of his relatives already have too many other responsibilities to help him. Don Jose's solution is to hire outside help, such as a babysitter, so he can go back to baking muffins and selling them in the market. 

In Guatemala, tortillas and tamales made from ground maize are an important part of daily diet. Don Jose spoke about being able to own his own grinder so that he doesn't have to leave his children alone when he leaves the house to grind maize elsewhere. As a group, we thought a possible solution for Don Jose was 1. Find a paid babysitter so he can go back to work (cost $40/month) 2. Find Don Jose's children temporary sponsors. For all 8 children to have a maize meal every day of the month would cost $100. If anyone reading this is interested in sponsoring Don Jose's children or helping with the costs to hire a babysitter please send me an email or visit my GoFundMe page at GoFundMe.com/francostravels. I can give those interested further details. Tomorrow, I will upload a YouTube video of Don Jose, his children, and his living situation with a short interview translated into English by me. 

The pictures below are of Don Jose and me conducting an interview and his children and him posing in front of their new stove thanks to donors like you.