Part 23 "Many Worthwhile Projects"

Michelle writes:

There are many, many worthwhile projects here. There is a library here that was the dream of a gal from California who had been a Peace Corps volunteer here eight years ago. These children aren't accustomed to books. Most come from homes where the parents are illiterate. They speak a dialect of Mayan and some Spanish, but the Mayan language is not a predominantly-written language. A priest (who was later murdered) had translated the New Testament into this language. The library is a bright cheery space where students come to study and have access to resources like maps which, due to lack of funding, aren't available in the classroom. 

I also visited a school that received funds from "Sharing the Dream" to assist with construction. The parents had come and hand-dug the side of a mountain to create a flat spot. A cinder block retaining wall had been built below to hold the dirt during the rainy season. This year's project is building a retaining wall to prevent a home above the school from washing down. Fathers of the students stay at the school each night to prevent vandalism. The mothers prepare and serve the snacks and meal. The few students who receive scholarships are interviewed, assuring that the student and parents are committed to the success of the student. The student must do community service to give back to the village. This is an integral part of "Sharing the Dream." Every recipient of monetary support must perform community service for the betterment of the village. I really love this philosophy.

Here's some information from their website: 

"Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is a non-profit organization that promotes fair trade with cooperatives and small businesses in Guatemala. We are committed to providing fair wages and employment opportunities to low-income artisans, which will result in creating sustainable markets for their products. Our craft products are handmade by Mayan artisans using many traditional techniques. Purchasing these crafts not only provides work for these artisans, but the profits go to support community development projects in Guatemala. Friends of Sharing the Dream is a 501c(3) organization which accepts donations to be used for projects helping the artisans and their families."

If you want to know more about "Sharing the Dream" in Guatemala, go to http://www.sharingthedream.org/

Part 21 "Santiago Atitlan"

Michelle writes:
Hola, from my new volunteer location. I have joined a group of women from South Dakota and Minnesota here in Santiago Atitlan, which is a 2-1/2 hour drive northwest of Antigua. Atitlan is a fairly large lake with 12 villages scattered along its bank. The villages are accessible by boat and road. Actually, part of this particular village was wiped out in 2005 from mudslides down the steep volcanic slopes caused by a hurricane.

View from the Rooftop of the Hostel

Three volcanoes surround me, but this time they are very close. The fire volcano in Antigua is active, and I did see red, molten lava one night while I was there. How's that for excitement? There are others in Guatemala that are currently active, but not these here, thankfully!

I had a tour of town and have been learning about the war. I took photos of the Peace Park, with its graves of people killed while trying to talk to the military. The soldiers were raping the women and girls. One girl got away and ran to town; the church rang the bells, and the town mobilized. The men and boys went out to the military base with their machetes and hoes (the only tools they had) and white flags. They were mowed down. This park has grave stones of people from age 6 to 53. Sad.  
      At some point, the mayor went to the government with a document which was then signed, saying that if any military personnel come to this village, the people have the right to kill them on the spot. No military is ever welcome here again. 

      This village is only accessible by boat or a long trek along the side of a volcano. Because the village is so remote, the war really took its toll. That is why there is the Elder Center. These women have no families left to take care of them. I will meet some of the elders tomorrow.