Beauty from mud

We snaked up through the mountains bordering Lake Atitlan early this morning to get to San Antonio Palopo, a village perched on a hillside above the lake. Many families in this area lost family and friends in mudslides last summer during tropical storm Agatha. They are now mostly dug out and rebuilding from the ruin, but they carry the scars of loss, as well as the fear of new mudslides.

In the midst of this loss, there is a lovely little preschool run by Mayan Families. Many of our people worked in the preschool this morning, and we were warmly greeted with smiles and hugs. We had been told that the children may be more shy and standoffish, but that was certainly not the case! Everyone, including the teachers, participated in activities.

Three teams were sent out into the village to work in homes: one to reconstruct a kitchen and install an ONIL stove, and two to only install stoves. We're still new to this, so we it was quite a learning experience. In all we installed six stoves today, and a few of us were still able to get to Angela's beloved ceramics store to stock up on goodies. We're doing our part to support the local economies while we are here!

Here Goes!

I should be in bed. Really. And I hope all of the Knoxville people leaving at 5:55AM are already snoozing.

A bit earlier today (yesterday, now) I was thinking, "How is it ever going to get done?" Clean house, pack, learn Spanish, get everyone ready? I might as well mark off "learn Spanish." Most people would grasp that if they don't already know a language, that they are not going to learn to speak it fluently in 24 hours' time. I seem to lack that capacity for reason. Oh wait, there's that faint voice..."No hablo Espanol. Embrace it with humility, Nan!" So that will likely be the theme of this trip for me--the language, the people, the work.

I am certain to encounter physical labor that challenges me. Embrace it with humility. Don't try to be a hero and throw my back out in the process. I will do what I am able with love and try not to complain.

I am certain to misunderstand and be misunderstood, by both English speakers with I am traveling, as well as people in Guatemala. I must be prepared to yield and learn. Embrace it with humility.

I am likely to encounter heart-breaking poverty. Though I can share with others, serve them, and help lighten someone's burden temporarily, I cannot change a person's life or circumstances, no matter how good my intentions. I will embrace them with humility and offer what I have: a compassionate smile, listening ear, willingness to help where I am able. I go to learn and understand, so that I grow deeper compassion for the people of Guatemala, hoping that the faces and personalities I encounter will remind me daily why it is vital that I share the resources with which I've been blessed. And I know they will teach me much.

Looking forward to the adventure!

Donate to Dunk Donation Drive at Amherst Elementary

Summer is officially here!  But for the kids at Amherst Elementary, as school was winding down and summer break was getting kicked off, they were doing something good – one child at a time!

The Amherst Elementary PTA and Nuestros Niños partnered up to hold the Donate to Dunk Donation Drive.  The children and staff were encouraged to collect money to help children in Guatemala.  The money could be allowance money or money earned from doing a special chore at home.  As we counted money, we could tell that many kids raided their piggy banks.  We heard stories of the kids talking with their parents about what they were doing; donating their own money; and going to family and friends to collect spare change.  We saw children donate money that may not have as much, and we saw several kids bring in $40-$50 (much of it in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters).  



Each class had a "heart" to fill with drops of water.  Each drop signified $5 raised by their class.



Every child had a voice on how the money would be utilized! Each child that donated at least $1 had the chance to vote if the money would be used to buy chickens, ONIL stoves, or sponsor a child’s education.

·   Chickens produce eggs which provide protein for families that may otherwise only eat tortillas and salt.  They can also provide an income if the families have extra eggs to sell.  Each chicken costs $10.   

·   ONIL Stoves are fuel efficient and decrease respiratory issues & burns.  It is estimated 1 in 5 children under 5 years old die, mainly from respiratory issues from having an open cooking fire in a closed in room in the home.  Each stove costs $160.

·   School Sponsorship is $180 per elementary age child and is an amazing gift for a child!  Education is not a “right” as it is here in the US - it is a luxury item for many Guatemalans.  Each year of school provides traditional learning in math, reading, etc… but more importantly it opens choices and opportunities for individuals.



Ms. Lee



 



Mrs. Yarbrough



Beyond the chance to feel good about helping others, the top 2 donors in each class got a chance to dunk Ms. Lee or Mrs. Yarbrough at an assembly on Monday, May 9th!  In addition, each class that raised $35, gave the teacher an opportunity to dunk Ms. Lee or Mrs. Yarbrough! 

Many teachers allowed Angela Grussing to talk with their class about the real impact they could have by just bringing in a dollar or two – and adding it to their classmates’ donations.  The children asked questions, and you could see how many of the kids were grasping that they could make an impact.  There was one conversation with a 4^th grader that sums it up… 

After talking with the class about what we were doing and how they could help, he raised his hand and said, “Are you just trying to make us feel bad?”  I let him know that was definitely not the purpose, but rather to let him know how each of us can make an impact in this world – whether it be bringing in a dollar to help a family in Guatemala or doing a kind task for a neighbor.  His teacher followed up with the fact that it does, “tug at our heart though.”  We discussed many things, including the fact that we are very lucky to live in the United States as we have “safety nets” in our government if we fall on hard times, but other places in this world do not have these “safety nets.”  Imagine my surprise the next day when we had a huge bag of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters totaling $25.76 from this 4^th grader.  We talked with him and found out he had gone to family and friends collecting spare change. 

That is the 2^nd part of the mission of Nuestros Niños… To provide both adults and children the opportunity to serve others in a meaningful way with a special emphasis on instilling a sense of service in children.  How wonderful to see it fulfilled in this way! 

Ms. Lee & Mrs. Yarbrough were great sports, and the kids had a great time as two assemblies were held for the kids to have a chance to dunk them!  In the end, $2,058.91 was raised!!!  Several times the kids were able to dunk Ms. Lee & Mrs. Yarbrough, and there was laughter and smiles all around.  28 teachers had the chance to take their best aim, and over 80 students had a chance as well!

What a great way to start the summer – with water, fun, laughter – all while helping others!  In the end, the kids wound up donating:

• 75 chickens,
• 4 ONIL stoves, and
• 3 school sponsorships!

How awesome – Kids can truly make a difference!!!

(A special thanks to the volunteers that helped pull this event off!  You know who you are!)

 

And More Pictures...

 

Gift of Food

Mother Teresa taught that if you can’t feed 100 people then feed just one. 

Malnutrition is rampant in Guatemala, but the current need for food is even more acute.  Because of Tropical Storm Agatha in the summer of 2010 and the destruction it caused to the corn crop and land, the corn shortage has now begun in earnest.  Guatemala now has to import corn from Mexico, driving the cost of corn up and making it scarce. 

Instead of worrying about what to cook for dinner as we do in our country, many families in Guatemala worry about IF there will even be food for dinner.  Some days only a plain tortilla and some salt is all the food a child may eat for the day.  Even children often work under the hot sun for meager amounts just so they can buy some food to eat for the day.

One of the ways we can help is by providing sponsored food baskets to those most in need.  A typical food basket might include chicken, incaparina (a fortified cereal), squash, carrots, fruit, beans, rice, corn and whatever else has been identified as most needed.  This all comes in a reusable plastic basket.  Mayan Families, our host group for our service trips, buys the fresh fruit and vegetables from other families in their programs to help support those families too. 

As many of you know, Nuestros Niños is going to Guatemala this summer on a service trip to help with various programs.  One of our goals is to provide a minimum of 10 food baskets to 10 families while we are down there.  Each basket is only $35.  Think of how easily you often spend $35 on refreshments at a ball game or a new pair of jeans.  Then think of how much a basket of healthy food would mean to an entire family that has no food to feed their children.  Normally my biggest problem at dinnertime is what we are going to fix – not IF we are going to have food to provide to our family…

Please consider a sponsorship of $35 to provide nutritious food to a family (by June 5^th).  We will gladly take a picture and card from your family to the family that receives the basket – and provide your family with a picture and information on the family that receives it. 

Protein and nutritious food are vital to a child’s ability to learn.  Though we can’t feed everyone, we can start by feeding one…

blog by: Sharon Grussing

The Sewing Machines are on their way to Guatemala!

It has taken some time to get everything together, but 42 brand-new sewing machines are on their way to Guatemala to help Mayan Families with their sewing program for impoverished women!  Through one of our board members, Sue S., we had the chance to meet Marcia F.  Marcia F. is on the board of another charity that has been helping a school and orphanage in Haiti for many years.  These sewing machines were on their way to Haiti when they were so terribly affected by the earthquake – and different needs overrode “normal” needs.  After talking, Marcia decided to donate the White brand sewing machines to Nuestros Niños! 

Matt taking the sewing machine to the Alberto's work area.

We wanted to be sure that Mayan Families could utilize them in their sewing program before sending them down – so Matt & I took one this summer in our checked suitcases.  Alberto, the sewing teacher, opened the sewing machine up in his “work area” – a 12’x12’ room that is also used for donations and meeting with families.  After meeting with Dwight, one of Mayan Families founders, & Alberto we were able to confirm they could use them!

Then it was time to figure out how to get them to Guatemala.  We figured out many years ago that it is not as easy to mail a package to Guatemala.  When Trevor was being fostered by his loving foster family, we sent down a cubic foot package.  For shipping & customs (which doesn’t seem to have “hard and fast” rules), it cost us over $400! That was a shocker!  We have since come across a company that will ship door to door – and deal with customs – for a set price for box – at a much better rate.  However, we needed to cross the language barrier and negotiate down the cost.  Thanks, John G. and Chelsea K. for the help with this part!  Finally after doing that, we needed to find the funding to ship the 42 sewing machines.  Thankfully, a corporate sponsor, Bailey Sales donated the funds to cover the shipping.

So, on a cold Tuesday morning (election day), Josie, Trevor, Allison, and I went over and got the sewing machines.  Wow, was the car packed!  The kids even had the machines crammed around them for the short ride back to the house.  It became a perfect opportunity to talk with the kids about why we were getting the sewing machines and how they were able to help also.  So – they pitched in and unloaded them into the garage with me!

We somehow figured out a way to fit all 42 sewing machines into the car!

The 3 Critters helping to unload the van.

Linda M., Beki B., and Jonathan B. came over one day last week and helped us pack the sewing machines into the boxes.  It was one cold afternoon in the garage, but it was nice to spend time with friends doing something to help others!  We also were able to pack many toys, stuffed animals, clothes, and bedding materials around the sewing machines.  Thanks to everyone that donated all of these items!   Allison had even decided to spend some of her money earlier in the day at the school’s holiday shop to buy a stuffed animal to send down – with no prompting from her parents. J  The purple princess bear made it into the package – and is now on its way to Guatemala!

Medrano Shipping picked up the boxes last Thursday, Dec. 2^nd, and Luis, the very strong driver, told me he thought they would be there by the first of January!  I can’t wait to see pictures of Mayan Families getting the boxes and hearing of the women that are helped with these sewing machines!

For more information on Mayan Families Sewing Program, there are several blog posts by Sharon Smart-Poage.

http://mayanfamilies-sharon.blogspot.com/2010/04/sewing-class-women-are-shining-in.html

http://mayanfamilies-sharon.blogspot.com/2009/11/sewing-class-in-san-jorge.html

Gifts with a Cause

The past month has been a busy month fundraising for our service projects!  We are always looking for new ways to raise funds to help with our service work, and this has been a wonderful way. 

Guatemala is a beautiful country, full of colors and traditions.  The women are talented and many want to improve their lives – they just have to be given the chance.  This is one of the reasons that I love this new fundraiser – we get to showcase the skills of Guatemalans, help them make a living, and raise money for our service work. 

Another reason I love it is, I get to meet new people and bring them happiness when they buy the products.  I don’t know how you can’t smile and feel good when you buy something so bright – and know it is helping others.  We have had several open houses in the past month – and have seen many friends!

 

Thank you for joining us!  We look forward to continuing to provide “gifts with a cause!”