Showing posts with label Dreamer Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dreamer Center. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Part 2 "God's Child"

Michelle writes:
Hello from Antigua, Guatemala. I'm here for a month to do volunteer work for the God's Child Project. I've been working in the hospital with infants and children who have cerebral palsy, low birth weight, burns, etc. The people here are very appreciative, and there is such a great need. 
I’m at the hospital this morning, bathing, changing and feeding the babies.All those here are small and malnourished. The people here are already small, but these children are very small for their age. The usual stay is 3 months, being fed every 2-3 hours. The families also come to visit and learn about nutrition. They are given food supplies to assist with an improved diet. Ninety-nine children were here in 2010, and only five had to return for additional help. 
Education is critical for improved sanitation and diet. The father of the three-year-old who only weighs 12 lbs. spent the entire morning holding, feeding, bathing and diapering. Evidence of the love of family. 
Entrance to God's Child Facility
Antigua, Guatemala
What is God's Child?
Here is some information from their website at  http://GodsChild.org/home.html

"There are many diverse opportunities for volunteers to help make a lasting contribution to our mission to help the world's poorest children and families "break the bitter chains of poverty through education and formation." Whether you can give a day or a couple of years to The God's Child Project, we'd love to meet you and show you around. Please email volunteers@anaguatemala.org for more information or to schedule a tour. 
The God's Child Project was founded in Bismarck, North Dakota, USA, in 1991 by Patrick Atkinson to help orphaned and abandoned children Atkinson had removed from the midst of Guatemala's violent 37-year civil war. Since 1991, the Project has grown to where it now provides Guatemala Central America's largest and most comprehensive charitable services."

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Michelle's Excellent Adventure Part 1 "Guatemala"

     In 2010, my friend Michelle reached a change point in her life. Circumstances suddenly made it feasible for her to travel unencumbered by economic, career, and relationship boundaries. What did Michelle do?  She embarked on a series of "excellent adventures."
     For those of you who haven't met Michelle, all you really need to know about her is shown in the photo above. That's Michelle, in an unfamiliar landscape, with a look of pure wonder and enthusiasm on her face. She's not completely in the frame, because she wants you to look not so much at her, as at what she's sharing with you.
     Michelle is currently in Guatemala, volunteering with a charitable organization. She gave me permission to share a bit of her adventure on this blog, so I'm devoting all the posts for the month of February to her activities. More information about her work will appear in the next blog posts. Right now, take a look at some of the sights that greeted Michelle soon after she arrived in Guatemala.
Mayan Temple Ruins
A Field of Coatis
Street Musicians
Local Artwork