Hello friends and supporters! It's been awhile since we posted here and we want to bring you up to speed on some important updates from Brian and Sheila's 2024 visit to Guatemala and Saludos Niños.
Brian and Sheila arrived in Guatemala last March with a very busy agenda and only a few days to accomplish many important tasks. Their friends Terra and Darrin from home (Wakefield, Quebec) joined them to learn about the project and help in any way they could. Here is Brian & Sheila's trip journal:
Day 1 - Meetings, Project Planning & Easter Cards
On our first day at Saludos Niños, we toured the school - checking out the kitchen, play structure, and classrooms and meeting with the teachers to discuss what construction projects and classroom equipment would be required this year. It was a great opportunity to meet all the kids, many of whom were new this year.
Our cook, Maria had broken her foot, so her daugther (also named Maria) had stepped in confidently to run the kitchen. She prepared a delicious lunch for everyone.
That same day, the kids crafted Easter cards based on a a sample sent from a friend of Sheila's in Texas. The craft time was a hit with the kids and they were so proud to bring their cards home at the end of the day.
Day 2 - Water Filters, Medical Clinic Prep & A New Printer
A meeting was held with the parents of Saludos Niños kids to distribute and demonstrate the set up and use of the water filters. Following the demonstration, various parents provided demos in their indigenous idioma to the assembled parents.
This year, 20 new and 10 replacement filters were provided. A sincere thanks to Laura Massey of Chelsea, Quebec, who continues to fund this important health changing gift year after year with funding collected from her Yoga on the Bridge classes in Wakefield.
Rosario, our Liason Officer, purchased the printer requested by the teachers the day before. She assembled it at the school and demonstrated to the teachers how to use it. It will prove to be very useful for crafts and projects.
The rest of the day was spent preparing for the next day medical clinic. We prepared the medical forms for each student, set up the examination rooms, determined what meal to provide to the medical staff, and so on.
Day 3- Medical Clinic
We arrived early with the medical staff to be ready for the kids and families. While families were waiting to be seen, the kids were fitted with new shoes and in some cases clothing and eye glasses - all imported by SuDen-entreaide, whom we work with every year.
Following the examinations, families were given the necessary medicines and had their time with the doctors and nurses to answer questions they might have. The forms were organized at day's end and stored for followup throughout the year.
The medical staff was very happy to have our friend Terra's help, with her experience as a nurse and excellent Spanish.
Semana Santa
Our visit to Guatemala coincided with Semana Santa (Easter/holy week), one of the country's most important holidays. It is a hectic but beautiful time to visit the country and it was so special to take part in the festivals and religious celebrations.
Summer Update To Come
We will soon be sharing a blog post with a Summer Update to bring everyone up to speed.
Thank you to everyone who supports this project. Every donation of is so greatly appreciated. You are helping a community invest in their own.
Comments