Today, such was the case for Don Alberto and many of the families we have been working with for about 10 days now. It seems that each year we have been fortunate to help one family with unexpected donations. This year Don Alberto and his wife received a donation from their sponsored family in the US for $100. Don Alberto and his wife were given a chance to choose from an itemized list of things they most needed in their home. Once again, our team of volunteers came together and helped Don Alberto and his wife welcome new opportunities.
Don Alberto and his wife never had any children. I was privileged to sit with Don Alberto's wife who is extremely timid and easily shy's away from people. I found her sitting by a fire she had started near her home away from all the construction taking place to improve her home. I asked permission to sit with her as she drank atole (maize beverage) from a pot she was boiling on the fire.
She was reluctant to make eye contact with me or acknowledge my presence. I asked her if she liked her new stove and cement floor. Looking down at the ground she smiled and nodded her head. I gently pushed a little further and asked her about her family. She stayed quiet. It wasn't until one of her neighbors came and sat with us by the fire that she began to open up about her life.
She said in the early 70's the Guatemalan Army had come to Sibinal looking for her brother. After they dragged him out of their home he was executed in from of her. She says it was long ago but she remembers and relives those moments every day of her life. Since then, she doesn't trust anyone; particularly men. The only person she trusts is her husband Don Alberto.
Don Alberto has been unable to work for several years due to bilateral hernias. I contacted a private doctor to operate on Don Alberto after obtaining his consent. I misunderstood the doctors price for the surgery to be Q 3000 ($400) but it was Q 13,000 ($1,700). I met with Don Alberto yesterday to tell him that we would be unable to get his surgery done until we raised funds for him. Before I had a chance to tell him he told me that his wife had left him during the night. He had told her about the surgery and because she feared for his safety and thought he could possible die during the surgery she could not bare to go through with another loss. So she left. He told me all of this as tears came out of his eyes.
For a second a felt responsible for everything that had happened. But how could I have known? Don Alberto politely declined the surgery. He said hopefully if his wife saw the smoke burning from the fire in his kitchen she would know he was still around and would come home. He said he would rather die than be without his wife. What could I say? I rested my hand on his shoulder and told him it was settled and shook his hand.
Below are pictures of items purchased with a special donation sent to Don Alberto and his wife. Our team honors the sponsors wishes in how the money should be used. Thank you J and T for your donation to Don Alberto and his wife. Enjoy the pictures. We are hopeful Don Alberto's wife will return soon. That is why she is not in any of the pictures below.
Olivia: Happy New Year!
As we ring in the new year, I just wanted to say thank you to all of our donors, supporters, and followers. Without you, my team wouldn't have the opportunity to meet and work with so many incredible families.
Today was a great transition into the new year, for we were able to deliver brand new gifts of pots, pans, kitchen utensils, a NEW bed and covers to Don Alberto thanks to an additional donation. I'm excited for Don Alberto and how 2017 may look very different for him and his wife with his new floor, new stove, a water connection, and now these new gifts all thanks to your generosity and support. The start of New Year is often filled with the hope of new beginnings, changing ways, and perhaps a determination to do and be better than the year before. I think for many families, the work we're doing, with your help, might just be the kind of positive change or silver lining families need to hope for and work towards a better 2017.
For me personally, being a part of this team in Guatemala is exactly what I needed to start this new year. It's what I needed because it's a reminder to be thankful for everything that I have and all too often take for granted. It's a reminder to stay humble and grounded. It's a reminder of the important things in life, like our families and friends and serving our neighbors both near far. Today, Don Alberto said that our group was like a father or a parent because we're taking care of the community and it's people like a good father would his children - a parent doesn't forget any of his or her children. I was touched by his analogy. How different would the world be if we took more time to care for those around us?
We ended the night and the year, with good food, good music, and even better people. Oh, and a piñata and fireworks too. Thank you for being with us on this journey and into the new year. Much love, Olivia.
We give the children their meds as usual while having conversation. Fidelia, the oldest one and the one who requires the most medication kept on asking if she could stay at our house. I joke and say i don't have one. She didn't believe me and then gave up and went to ask Olivia. Olivia said we lived far away but Fidelia didn't care. i wish i could take them home with me! How much do you think United Airlines will charge if we take a child in our bag?
This family means a lot to me. Olivia was telling us that there has been other families in the community that have insisted on taking one of the children, but the family didn't want to split up... which is understandable.
I was watching father gather leaves and beans for the meals... but how long could you live with that? I’m scared that once we leave, something will happen, I feel so helpless. All I could do now is just make them smile with the time we have left.
After dropping off the gifts, we went to don Alberto's house to bring down the supplies. Don Alberto wanted to help by carrying one of the beds, but we told him not to as it is painful for him to walk and walking up and down the mountain to get to his house is hard work within itself.
We finally get all the supplies down the mountain and we put together his bed. i swear, it's the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on! This was a huge upgrade from him because he slept on plywood every night. The smile on his face was priceless. He also received a new jacket to help with the cold nights. He looked pretty fly in it.
Thanks to J and T for the donation for the supplies... also Franco for donating one of the beds! Don Alberto expressed his gratitude and you can tell he was tearing up a little bit. He explained that his family is in the states but refuse to help him... which, I find very sad because he is one of the most genuine and kind hearted person I’ve met. I’m really glad we were able to help him not only with the supplies but water, cement floor, and a stove.
We are currently preparing for the New Year’s. Our host, Doña Julia will be cooking turkey and I will be cooking salsa. Hope it turns out okay because I’m not the greatest cook.
Feliz año nuevo! besos, emily.
P.S., Thank you again to J and T for sponsoring Don Alberto and even donating supplies to him as a gift. His smile can save the world.
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