Day five: An adventure

Today started early with a 5:30 wake up so that we could make our way to lake atitlan. It was amazing. A three hour drive through the Guatemalan mountains to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  

We had a great guide Pedro who showed us around. 

We went by boat to a small village and did a one hour hike along the coast to another village. We are coffee beans AF heard began to learn about Mayan culture.  Several kids even hugged the acne tree to have their skin improved. 

Another boat ride an another village lead us to a 10 min drive in the back of a pick up truck.  The build edges and bars to transport people. The kids thought it was awesome. We ended in a small traditional village and explored the local art including a demonstration by the local women of how they make yarn and then of the back loom. 

It was amazing! And the kids were excited to by some of this handmade art be it a blanket, scarf or belt.  A local lunch was had by most and then back we went.  A 40 minute ride in choppy waters but they handled it like troopers. 

Oh yeah!  There was also the little accident I had... Tripped an fell last night. Look awful but am feeling ok right now! 

Tomorrow we are off to the water park with the safe passage kids!  Can't believe we will be heading home soon.  

--Andi

Day Four... It's going too fast

Hey guys it's Nick (Anna is also with me)! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone back home! It was an exciting and emotional day down here in Guatemala. (Did you guys know elf is funnier in Spanish? Just lettin' ya know). It was the kids' last day at the school and it was announced to everyone who the winning classes were. The winning class was the class with the most points at the end of the week, and their prize is a trip to the waterpark on Saturday with us. We also got to go to Creamos, which is an organization where mothers in the Safe Passage community make jewelry out of paper and beads. It was really nice to be able to get gifts for people and also support the mothers. 

Later in the afternoon, we had a debrief and talked about stuff that's happened over the week. Being down here has made us more aware of things that happen in the world that happen everyday that we don't realize. Before this trip was proposed we had known nothing about the City dump; and now that we're coming back soon we can raise awareness of these issues. We're thankful that we have each other, and the opportunities we have back home. 

Peace out. 

Day three

Reporting live from Guatemala; we are on our way back after another fantastic day. The group split up into two groups again today. Andi and mike's group me with kids at the CRE who were between 15 and 18 years old. They started with a game that was a bit complicated. With numerous people paired with the language barrier, the complex game to not translate well. Time to act, and they quickly recovered with a fun game called "zoo". After the games, the group headed to the cafeteria for a craft. White capes, masks and markers were passed out to the kids. Their task was to name their super power, hero name, and to create what their cape and mask would look like. The activity was a great success; the kids were very involved. 

After lunch, we got chocolate bananas as per usual.  Then it was off to la escuelita.  We participated in gym class, which involved Mike and Teddy chucking water balloons at everybody while they tried to catch them.  Then we did sponge relays where Mike sprayed everybody without getting quite as wet.  The final activity involved the kids going down a slip 'n' slide.  Teddy was in charge of keeping it slippery by pouring soapy water on it.  By the end, everyone was completely soaked except for Mike.  To make matters worse, one of the vans had a flat tire, meaning that some people in the van weren't able to access the clean clothes stored in their rooms because members of the van with the flat tire had the room key.

Day two:

Hi this is Camille, today we were split into two groups and my group started off the morning by playing a game similar to Human Knot with teens about 16-20.

With the same class, another excercising began with two boys [Christian Cyr and a Guatamalan] shaking hands. We discussed objective an subjective perceptions related to who had the power. We continued to replace one [of the two people] at a time, the goal being to change yourself into being in the position of power, as our two groups analyzed the the power of the center people. Next our team divided into three groups, two people went to the art room where personal logos representing strength were created. Two people went to the kitchen to help prepare lunch (they taught the chefs how to twerk...!). I went with two others (Christian and Andi) to a Sex Education Health class where we showed them 'power' and relationship building games then a mini seminar about genitals - it was eye opening to see that none of the children laughed - it was an awakening of how serious of a matter it is.

We all went (as a team) into the kitchen, peeling Lima beans and dancing! Andi and I had the opportunity to hand out lunch to the younger kids

. We were able to select a -colligiate level- piece of artwork to buy (which were made by te children). The art class (called Expression Of Art) is is one form of therapy/ self discovery practiced at Safe Passage. After our lunch (juevos chorizo ((eggs mixed with sausage in bean soup and tortillas))), we went to a quite chaotic English class with the younger children. Though it was kind of an emotionally exhausting day, everyone had a great time!!! All in all, I know a lot of people - including myself - have been greatly inspired and are thinking about gap years through Safe Passage or other volunteer NGO's!

Day 1 with Safe Passage

Today we started our day learning more about safe passage and Hanley denning who started the org by selling her belongings and wanted to help. From there we were given a tour of zones 3 and 7. These are considered the red zones in Guatemala City and house the dump and graveyard.  Red zones are not policed by the city because they have been deemed too violent. We did see trucks with armed military drive through a few times. The graveyard is massive and is made up of family and "apartment" style mosoleums.  The difference between wealthy and poor is very clear.  From the graveyard you can look down on the dump.  

The group was very quiet as we stood on the top of a cliff, the odors very strong and vultures ( lots of vultures) circling overhead.  Watching the trucks come in, dump and the many people working sorting through the garbage.  The people are hard working and proud.  It is just hard to watch knowing how unhealthy the conditions are.  

From there the day changed tune as we were given a tour of the escuelita, met with the sports coordinators and played a new game.  We then met with the head of tutoring services and one of the social workers.  Lunch in the cafeteria was very good 

After lunch the real fun began. We spent a few hours doing out tie dye project with 30 3rd graders!  The NYS crew was great and tried hard to use their Spanish. It was really fun at the end when they got to teach the group of kids how to play "fishy, fishy cross my ocean". 

Off to dinner.   Thanks again for your support and helping make this happen. We also got to bring all of our donations to the donation center today.  

Breakfast in the courtyard

We are here!

We are all here safe and sound. We had a great trip. A lovely first dinner.  And now. Everyone is in their rooms for the night.  The hotel is gorgeous!  Can't wait to see everything in the daylight!!!

This is going to be an amazing week.