Spread Your Love Like Bread Crumbs

"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."  -Desmond Tutu

A lot has happened since I last posted, which is exactly why I haven’t had the opportunity to write until now.

Since my last post, my beautiful, wonderful fiance' David came to visit.  We had a fantastic time.  It was his first time in Central America.  We spent our days wandering the streets of Antigua, visiting ruins, eating local food, shopping, and drinking just a little too much Gallo. 

While here, I took David to visit the children of Hermano Pedro- the only public hospital in Antigua and the place where I have the privilege of volunteering.  We brought the children ripe bananas to mash up and enjoy as a snack (I was inclined to bring loads of candy and sweets, but I got a firm NO from the staff).  While visiting, David and I talked to Maynor, as he sat in his wheelchair eating his arroz and frijoles for lunch.  He really is one the sweetest kids I have ever met, always smiling and asking questions.  He took a great interest in David, asking him if he was my novio (boyfriend), where he lived, and whether he had a mom and dad.  It made my heart explode with happiness to see David enjoying spending time at the hospital with the children, as I watched Elmer crawl around on the ground (as he had managed to escape from his wheelchair!) and squeel with laughter as David allowed Elmer to grab onto his leg and be pulled across the ground for a free ride. 

I remember my first visit to the hospital two years ago and how shocking it was.  The overall sanitation is way below US standards and the cribs that the children sleep in are large and metal and nearly resemble dog kennels.  There are not enough nurses to meet the children's needs and volunteers help clean bottles and other dishes by hand in a giant pilla full of water...the water isn't even hot.  But the hospital does what it can with the resources that it has and without this place it is unlikely that most of these children would still be alive, as they all have special needs that require medical attention and ongoing care...resources and knowledge that their families don't have  As on outsider you can either look with tears of sadness at the children or with tears of joy knowing that they have been given a chance at life when all odds were against them.

However, the one thing that I can say with certainty is that God's presence in this hospital ward is overwhelming and that the strength these children have trumps anything I have ever seen in my life.  They are all incredibly resilient and have such huge hearts despite their circumstances, as some have been abandoned in garbage dumps, while others have been sexually and physically neglected and abused.  There is not a day that goes by that I don’t walk away from that hospital feeling overwhelmed by how much courage and strength their tiny bodies hold and how blessed I am to have the opportunity to spend time with them. 

So as I reflect on what the past ten weeks here in Guatemala has shown me so many things come to mind.  But one in particular is the power of love.  Love, the most powerful emotion that we as humans will ever know, can do amazing things.  This is something that I have witnessed first hand since I have been here in Guatemala.  It’s evident in the faces of street children who have been given the opportunity to attend school and have a nutritious meal to eat during lunchtime or the children at the hospital who are celebrating a fellow wardmate’s birthday with a giant piñata and loads of cheap, sugary cake.  

I strongly believe in Desmond Tutu’s philosophy that we cannot recognize our own humanity unless we recognize how interconnected our humanity is to those around us...when one of us hurts..we all hurt.  In this sometimes cold and corrupt world we need one another and that need, at its core, isn’t concerned with wealth, race, age, or social status.  That need comes from the need to feel loved, connected, and comforted at all times of our lives and most especially during our times of despair.  Love and a soft heart can do powerful things- this is something I am learning more and more each day.  Make an effort everyday to share a little bit of the love that you have in your heart with someone else, these small grains of compassion will change the world.

The handsome Maynor enjoying a fiesta!

Our very own mischievous Elmer!

And of course, my favorite little love Lesly..she has stolen my heart..

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it." -Margaret Fuller

Education has always been a priority in my life.  I have been blessed enough to grow up in an environment where academic success was emphasized and encouraged.  My parents stressed the important of attending and excelling in school- and yes, the days that I didn’t want to get out of bed they made me go anyway.  Naturally, though, I have also always been intrinsically motivated to do well academically, because doing well on an exam or getting a good grade felt about as good as a shot of dopamine to the brain.  I guess there is no sugar coating it- when it comes to school I have always been an overachiever- a nerd- plain and simple.  But beyond my desire to please my teachers and receive a cheesy sticker at the top of an essay, I have always recognized the value and power of knowledge.  I firmly believe that the more that you know, the more capable you are of living up to your full potential.  What I am learning now though is that this mindset is not one that is always encouraged and that for many children around the world receiving an education is something that comes at a high price. 

Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in Central America and is reported to have an illiteracy rate of over 36%.  The educational infrastructure in Guatemala continues to struggle significantly.  All educational facilities- from pre-school centers to universities continue to rely on state funding and as a result, suffer from a lack of funding, under-qualified teachers, and an overall lack of supplies and proper facilities.  Elementary education is free and mandatory for six years, but enrollment enforcement is virtually non-existent.  Additionally, only a very small percentage of children who come from upper class families have the opportunity to enter private schools. 

The vast majority of children who do not attend school tend to live in the rural areas and a disproportionate number of them are indigenous -descendents of the Mayas.  Even after a 36-year civil war, the indigenous population continues to be at the very bottom of Guatemalan society-politically, socially, and economically.  This ongoing discrimination only increases the education gap in Guatemalan society.  Many indigenous parents do not see the importance of sending their children to school, because the curriculum does not include lessons in the Mayan dialect (There are over 22 Mayan languages!) nor is there any emphasis placed on Mayan history and culture.  Therefore, children remain in the home assisting with cleaning, washing, or childcare (it’s not at all uncommon to see a 6 year- old girl in the streets caring for her younger siblings) or by assisting their families financially through working in the fields or selling handmade goods (as equally a common site in the streets of Antigua where tourists are rampant).  It is estimated that only 19% of indigenous adults are literate. Therefore, as you can see, all signs suggest that Guatemala has a long way before its children will ever be granted the access to the quality, culturally-sensitive education that they deserve. 

On a more positive note (yes, of course you were waiting for this right?), there are organizations within Guatemala that are working to address these educational disparities and whose goals are to create a better and less bleak future for the children of Guatemala.   These organizations in my opinion are invaluable and frankly, there needs to be more of them. 

If interested, check out the link below.  Ninos de Guatemala is a reputable organization that has made a significant impact on the children and families here in Guatemala.  What you’ll learn is that a small donation of only $5 (yes, that’s what we spend on a Starbucks coffee) can fund a child’s education for an entire month!  Just like you and I, these children deserve an education!    

http://www.ninosdeguatemala.org/



Young indigenous girl stands in front of la pila- a communal washing area



La Pila

Students play together in an educational facility built by an NGO

Teacher (far left) has students line up for an activity

 

Don't Forget To Smile Today...It's Undoubtedly Your Best Feature :)




Smile at each other,
smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.”
-Mother Theresa

Boys in the Yalu Village Catch a Free Ride on the Back of a Pick-Up Truck & Pose for the Camera!  The Children Here are Always All Smiles!

 Support the children of Yalu by visiting http://www.manoconmano.org/.  Mano Con Mano is an organization that assists the children of Yalu in recieving nutritious lunches three times per week, daily education, and medical care.  Mano Con Mano works to create stronger, self-sufficient families and also works with expecting mothers to provide pre-natal care.  The staff at this organization are amazing and invested and the village has benefited immensly from this organization!  Help these children to continue to smile!

Alittle About Antigua... where I will be living for the next six months...

Nestled between three dramatic volcanoes, Antigua, Guatemala is a charming colonial city in Central America. With cobblestone streets, impressive Baroque architecture, and a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches, this 15th-century town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Established in 1543, La Antigua is one of the best preserved and charming of colonial cities in Spanish America.  The Spanish Colonial style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins, as well as its traditions and folklore. Antigua is a city of charm and vibrant color where you can see and buy an overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that honor the traditions of generations of artisans.


Known as the "land of the eternal spring", Antigua has pleasant weather throughout the year. The city lies at an altitude of just over 5,000 feet - days are warm (75ºF / 23ºC) and nights are pleasantly cool (56ºF / 13ºC).
Three large volcanoes dominate the horizon around Antigua. The most commanding, to the south of the city, is the Volcán de Agua or "Volcano of Water" (12,356 ft).  To the west of the city is a pair of peaks, Acatenango (13,045 ft), and the Volcán de Fuego or "Volcano of Fire" (12,346 ft). "Fuego" is almost constantly active at a low level, with smoke visible from its top almost daily. 

Antigua’s kitchen offers a palate-pleasing combination of traditional flavors, aromas and condiments that produce a delicious, nutritious and varied menu, something you no one should miss!  Antigua is also noted for its crafts: terracotta, ceramics, wrought iron, silver and jade jewelry, wooden sculptures, carved colonial-style furniture, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings, figured stone, brass, jarcia, traditional toys and much more.

Guatemala has also long been recognized for growing some of the highest quality coffees in the world, and the coffee farms surrounding Antigua make for an excellent day trip. The surrounding hillsides provide wonderful views of the valley and the volcanoes, and are excellent terrain for recreational pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining.

The festival of the town’s saint (Santiago or St James: Patron saint of the conquistadors) is celebrated July 25th. After the conquest of the Maya by the Spanish, the races intermingled and their customs and traditions gave rise to a singular form of life, art and culture that is today reflected in every aspect of Antigua.

Today, Antigua is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Central America’s most enchanting and picturesque cities. Visitors can explore the ruins, museums, art galleries, boutique inns, restaurants, and shops that are dotted throughout the famous cobblestone streets of this former capital of Guatemala. Inspiring the world's artists, writers and wanderers for centuries, Antigua continues to attract international visitors with an interest in art, language, culture, and history.



Notice the cobble stone streets..I got brave once and tried walking on them in heels..let's just say that's the last time I will do that!




El Catedral, a beautiful site (especially at night) that sits on the east side of Parque Central.



At Antigua's Center is the El Parque Central..a great place to sit and relax, read a book, or my favorite.. grab an ice cream and people watch.

Viva La Antigua!

I have been in Antigua, Guatemala for almost a month already.  The time is already going by much too fast.  I lose track of days and dates and bill due dates.   Some days I even forget to open my planner, because who needs plans when you’re thousands of miles away from everything that has kept you confined to such a rigid way of living. 

For the first time in my life I am not walking around with the heavy weights of stress on my shoulders and sometimes the days are so loosely pieced together that I get a little nervous.  But then I remember…that on those days I have the freedom to do whatever it is I please, whenever I please, wherever I please.  And then I get excited again and remember why I came here in the first place...to take a deep breathe from everything I've always known. 

So far my time here has been lovely.  When I stop and think about it I am actually in awe at how smoothly the transition has gone.  I have a comfortable and inviting room, a nice, accommodating house, and a job that always keeps me on my toes.  I live in San Felipe de Jesus, which is about ten minutes outside of Antigua.  It's quieter here and the journey into the city makes for a good run.  However, most times I get a ride to and from home, so I am grateful for that.   I live in a secure, three-house compound, but as of now the other two houses are empty, which I don’t mind because it’s quieter that way.  Antigua is a bit of a noisy city.  You can hear the heavy traffic- chicken buses, tuk tuks, motorbikes- from every which direction.  Combine this with the voices of children playing, vendors selling their goodies, the hand smacking of women making tortillas, and street chatter and there is a cacophony of sounds always playing.  From my room, though, all I can hear is the murmur of my roommate’s television, church bells, occasional firecrackers, and the relentless crowing of a neighbor’s rooster.  My room is colored in beautiful shades of yellow and green and the tall dark green avocado tree that grows outside my window tries to reach its long, branch fingers in through the large window that faces my bed. 

Life in my little pocket of the world is beautiful right now…the only piece that’s missing is the beautiful smiling faces of those at home that I love and miss so dearly. 

Cerro de La Cruz:  Overlooking Antigua from the north is Cerro de la Cruz, literally translated as "Hill of the Cross" which as you can see provides beautiful views looking south over town toward Volcán Agua.  By far this is my favorite running destination!

 Arco Santa de Catalina: Found on 5th Avenue in the heart of Antigua and is ALWAYS gorgeous to look at..no matter what the weather.

Indianapolis Airport, August 27, 2011 @ 4 am- Feeling completely exhausted, very loved, and extremely blessed.....Guatemala bound!

Let the journey begin...

Since leaving home, I’ve decided to do a little blogging- an entirely new experience for me.  Partly to remind me to keep my eyes open while I am on this adventure and partly to give those at home a little piece of my experience here in Guatemala.  I have no idea what to expect from this endeavor- there is no real agenda or purpose.  I hope, however, that it will remind those that I love (and anyone who comes across it for that matter) that life, no matter where you are, should always be a adventure.  And more importantly, that how you choose to live your life and what you get out of the everyday experiences is solely up to you.... so always remember... enjoy the journey!!

A quote from Mark Twain that hangs on my favorite spot at home..the fridge:)...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. 

So throw off the bowlines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. 

Dream. 

Discover."