Don Gregorio and Doña Catalina
Written by Franco
Franco: I’ve been
traveling to Guatemala for many years now. One of the most empowering visuals is
watching a family filled with enthusiasm when they receive a much awaited
donated item. Such is the case with Don Gregorio and his wife Doña Catalina.
Don Gregorio has
his wife are an elderly couple in their 60’s. They have been waiting a long
time to build a new home. Over the years, Don Gregorio has been working hard as
a farmer and Doña Catalina as a shepherd. On their own they’ve been able to
purchase wooden slabs, cinder blocks, and cement for a new floor for their new
home. In spite of all their efforts, they have been unable to save enough money
for aluminum slabs which will function as a roof.
When our team
visited Don Gregorio and his wife, he was measuring the land where we will help
him build his new home tomorrow. I felt an immense sense of pride and
excitement radiating from his face as he showed us his floor plan, tools,
construction materials, and what his house would look like when it was done.
Then, he took us
to where his new shiny slabs of aluminum were covered under a large dirty
blanket. Protected as if it was a prized possession. He proceeded to tell us
how grateful he was that strangers he’s never met in the US care for simple farmers
like him enough to help with a new aluminum roof for his house.
Don Gregorio and
his wife are prime examples of why it is imperative to visit and assess every
family months before we commence the physical part of our humanitarian work.
Our team, Project HELLO (US) and our sister team Generacion Magnificat
(Guatemala), try our best to make sure we are assisting families who are
willing to help themselves. Your donated items are not simply handouts, they
are boosts of motivation to hard working families such as Don Gregorio and his
wife.
If you would like
to help us continue our humanitarian efforts, visit https://www.projecthello.club/
Selena
Written by: Olivia Deeken
Olivia: Today was
scheduled as a day of rest and recuperation for both the Guatemalan and U.S.
teams. With this free time, a few of us decided to visit a bright young lady,
Selena. Selena is a 15 year old girl whose thirst for continued education
inspired former Project HELLO volunteers to sponsor Selena's education which
was unaffordable for Selena's family. These generous sponsors provided Selena
with additional funds to purchase new clothes or other items that she may not
ordinarily afford. Thus, we took advantage of today's free time and went
shopping!! Ordinarily, I do not find clothes shopping the least bit exciting.
However, this time
was different. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Selena, a very petite size 5, sort
through the clothing and find items matching her style and small frame. I
observed Selena's stylistic choices and saw that she preferred jeans with extra
bling or bright embroidery. I attempted to find other pants that suited her
style, but she informed me that I was looking through the men's clothing and
not the women's haha!!! Therefore, I wasn't overly helpful as a fashion guide.
I decided to settle with affirming smiles and nods of encouragement when Selena
found a blouse she admired. Selena came away with one cute blouse and a new
pair of high waist skinny jeans. She decided to save the rest of her
sponsors' donation for another time and day.
I didn't
anticipate shopping with a teenager today, but I'm glad that I did. The entire
experience reminded me greatly of the times when my younger sister (also 15),
my mom, and I would go shopping for new school clothes. While Selena is more
than capable of shopping by and for herself, I was glad that I could provide
some sort of support - as a quasi stand-in of older female relatives who were
unable to share in our shopping experience. Teens of Sibinal, keep an eye out
for your local fashionista, Selena!
While visiting
Selena at her home, we also had the opportunity to view and take photos of
their family’s newest addition, a new all-purpose wash station bought with the
funds of this year’s generous donors. It was a strangely beautiful and tranquil
moment when we arrived at Selena’s home, interrupting her morning routine. We
waited and watched patiently as Selena stood over the new wash station and
washed her long, dark hair with the clean water stored in the wash station’s
basin. I relish these remarkable, yet mundane, habits – like washing our hair
and brushing our teeth – which we do to go about our lives. I’m glad that our
work helps make even the most ordinary of tasks that much easier for the
families and children here in Sibinal.
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Picnic in Canjula Park in Sibinal, San Marcos, Guatemala
Written by: Olivia Deeken
Olivia: Following our
morning shopping spree, our team had the opportunity to spend some quality time
with our dear hostess, Doña Julia, and her sons at a local park called,
Canjula. That morning, Doña Julia and her family arrived to the park early –
Doña Julia to prepare today’s lunch and her sons to take advantage of the
beautiful weather to play soccer with their friends. As Diana reflected during
our nightly team debriefing, it was a joy to be in the presence of Doña Julia
and to witness the joy, love, and hospitality she radiates for her children,
but also for us – her adopted family. We enjoyed delicious, homemade chicken
noodle soup and fresh pineapple slices. Our original intention was to hike to a
small waterfall located within the park, but a thick fog put a damper
(literally and figuratively) on our hiking plans. So, we settled for a short
hike around the camping grounds and were given a personal tour of the different
cabins on the property.
Our team often discusses how to balance the constant need and pressure to help others or “do something” and our need for rest and reflection. Today, was a much needed day to keep that balance in check. Tomorrow, we will awake with fresh faces, prepared for more home visits and hard work. Buenas noches!
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