Sharing the Dream

February 22 Day 7

This morning we visited Chacaya school which is about 20 minutes ride from Santaigo in the back of a pickup. Our visit to the school had a huge impact on all of us. When we arrived, we were enthusiastically met by the parent committee which consisted of 6 men who took the day off from working in the fields to meet with us. Of course, they would receive no wages for the day and their families would have less food. They sacrificed because they are totally dedicated to helping their children get a better education. We had a tour of their classrooms and the conditions were pathetic. 159 children were crowded in 4 classrooms some with cornstalk walls. Two of the classrooms were separated by a tarp and there is no way to lesson the noise. All they can afford for supplies are notebooks and they still owe money for those. The supplies are meager and used and I noticed that one student was writing with the plastic insert of a pen. Currently, they educate them for 5 years but when the fifth graders were asked how many wanted to continue with more school, they all raised their hands.

The government provides funds for 4 teachers who use part of their salary to pay the rent in their decrepit buildings. They need one more teacher at a cost of about $200 per month. It would be wonderful if that dream could come true too. After our tour, we spent time discussing their plans to build a new school on land Sharing the Dream purchased for them. They have been in the planning process with STDG for 2 years. The land in on a hill so they must build a huge retaining wall. There is a group in the US doing a bicycle trip in order to help raise funds for this. Right now though they needed money for excavating because there is a Guatemalan group that will build 2 classrooms for them in the next couple of weeks if they can get it excavated. After addressing this and other concerns, a check was written to them so they can complete the excavation. They were delighted that they can now continue with their plans. We got to see the land that the families have spent many hours clearing with shovels and machetes. Once again it shows they will do anything to improve the lives of their children. When we left they said many words of gratitude including,” You have love in your hearts and God is working through you” which to me defines a Christian and it felt wonderful. It was beautiful for us to be a part of the process not of handing out money but empowering people to help themselves.

When we returned to the Elder Centre all but one who is very ill of the 61 elders were waiting for us. We got lots of hugs and kisses as they know STDG through their many sponsors is responsible for their services. Last Christmas STDG, through some donations gave all of them a new Huipel which is their traditional top. They were all made out of the same fabric with different embroidery so it looked like a uniform but they were all so proud of them. Coming to the center for warm food keeps many of them from starving. The number of lives who have been improved by STDG is immeasurable.

The afternoon was spent walking around the town visiting the market, church and Rother Memorial and then we were off to tour the hospital riding in our red tuk tuks. Other than walking, tuk tuks are like a golf carts and pickup trucks are the main forms of transportation around Santiago.. For many years this city did not have a hospital but in March of 2005 they opened one and 5 months later it was severely damaged by a devastating mudslide that killed hundreds of people and destroyed numerous homes. They now have this one with 24 hour emergency care but once again we discovered the facilities are extremely inadequate. The needs here are so great for so many people and we are lucky to be a part of this group which is led by Diane who is loved and respected by so many people in Guatemala.

Go to February 23