Back in Guate

Anddddd I’m back!

Wow, after flying on what is probably the most ghetto, and cheapest, airline in America, we (my brother and I) arrived in Antigua at about 4 pm Wednesday afternoon. It kind of all hit me at once that I was actually here, and man does it feel good to be back in this part of the world! I am so happy.

On Thursday morning, I went on the Safe Passage tour for my second time. I figured that, even though I was already familiar with the dump & its surrounding, I could always see and learn more. Plus, I knew that I would have the opportunity to see some of “my” old students. Fredy, who works in P.R. and has been with Safe Passage since its inception ten years ago, once again gave a thoroughly informative tour. And, once again I was struck by the severity of the living situations under which these people live.

Although I had already heard much of what Fredy told us about the Guatemalan reality, one of his points that hit me hard went something along these lines: “Education is very important for these people, but first, they need to have the opportunity to live like a human being, and go from there.” As he continued to explain, the 22,000 people in the dump community share their workplace as well as their homes with rats, dogs, bugs, and vultures, while the ubiquitous stench of decomposing garbage and methane gas penetrates their homes. Of course, from an outsider's opinion, this reality is troubling and even revolting, but these people have grown accustomed to it and know no other way of life.

For the most part, everything at the project seemed the same as when I left last August. With one exception. The Guardería (Nursery School) is located smack in the middle of the dump neighborhood, a little paradise among the shacks. To keep it secure, the property is gated, guarded during the day, and protected by barbed wire that spirals on top of the walls. Because of its location, no volunteer is allowed to walk outside the gates unless accompanied by a Guatemalan Camino staff member.

The Guardería was built on land that was donated by a rich Guatemalan who owns the dump and some of the property in the area. However, not all of the land he donated was used for the construction of the Guardería. Thus, some of the land adjacent to the Guarderia, that now belonged to Camino, remained vacant.

Last November, literally overnight, some people in the community “took over” the vacant plot of land and constructed makeshift shelters that have since evolved into more permanent houses. I forget the estimated number of people currently living there now, but it a significant amount of people, and clearly the possibility of them moving to a different area is quite low. Where else are they supposed to go? What other options do that have? I must say, it was incredible to see that this neighborhood had sprung up from nothing in such a short amount of time. I bet they are there to stay.

During the tour we stopped for lunch in the main center where I worked last time. We stayed until the younger kids began to file in for lunch, which meant that I got to see some of "my" old students. What a special experience!! With the exception of one little boy named Walter, they all seemed to remember me. Not all of them remembered my name but they definitely remembered my face and gave me big hugs. I saw my sponsor child, Elías, who had no idea I was returning, and he was literally speechless. It was very special and gratifying. (However, I found out that Elías failed 2nd grade and is now repeating it!!).

Now it is Sunday, meaning that I start again tomorrow. It looks like I will be helping out with the lacrosse festival this week and weekend which should be fun. I cannot wait to be back there!!! I am so happy!!

Some pics:



people working at one of the "stations" in the dump




I witnessed this little boy's brother rummage through the garbage truck, find this stuffed animal, and give it to his little brother, who then hugged it.



the new houses next to the guardería