Nuestros Ahijados
Andrea and I began volunteering at a "proyecto" (as we call them) at the beginning of January. The name is Nuestros Ahijados, in English it translates to "our godchildren." It's primary vision is to provide comprehensive education to the children who would normally be unable to pay to attend a quality school. A group of people from Bismark, N. Dakota started the proyecto and seem to be the primary supporters. Its been going for quite a while and has continued to expand into other pueblos bringing education, housing, and family health facilities. We volunteer at the main "campus" which is just a short walk to the northern outskirts of Antigua on the road to San Felipe. What is attractive to us is the really incredible gardens they have and maintain for the children, as well as the after school reading programs in their large library. The gardens are a wonderful mix of natural play areas, water falls, murals, quite spaces, and even terrariums with reptiles and fish. Hopefully the pictures do it justice. Incredibly the place is bursting with blooming trees, vines, and tropical foliage even in this dry season. I have enjoyed working with the 3 full-time gardeners Nelson, Benedicto, and Anderson. Although I can hardly ever understand Anderson as he comes from a Mayan village and barely speaks Spanish. Generally we talk about how much money they can make if they emigrate to the US and whether or not so and so is gay and what I think about Guatemaltecas. Limited thus far, but its still in Spanish ya know! Also I have started stocking the beautiful fish pond with koi, as it has been empty for 5 months. Naturally they named the first one "Lucas" after me, and on a side note "to be lucas" also means to be crazy in slang here. Always a good laugh.
Andrea has been volunteering in the large library reading to children three afternoons a week. She has really enjoyed this individual time with the children as well as practicing her spanish. She will have to include some of her stories soon, as she is taking a break from Nuestros Ahijados and working for PLFM as the substitute Director! When does she sleep! Not much actually, but she's hanging in there.
Andrea and I began volunteering at a "proyecto" (as we call them) at the beginning of January. The name is Nuestros Ahijados, in English it translates to "our godchildren." It's primary vision is to provide comprehensive education to the children who would normally be unable to pay to attend a quality school. A group of people from Bismark, N. Dakota started the proyecto and seem to be the primary supporters. Its been going for quite a while and has continued to expand into other pueblos bringing education, housing, and family health facilities. We volunteer at the main "campus" which is just a short walk to the northern outskirts of Antigua on the road to San Felipe. What is attractive to us is the really incredible gardens they have and maintain for the children, as well as the after school reading programs in their large library. The gardens are a wonderful mix of natural play areas, water falls, murals, quite spaces, and even terrariums with reptiles and fish. Hopefully the pictures do it justice. Incredibly the place is bursting with blooming trees, vines, and tropical foliage even in this dry season. I have enjoyed working with the 3 full-time gardeners Nelson, Benedicto, and Anderson. Although I can hardly ever understand Anderson as he comes from a Mayan village and barely speaks Spanish. Generally we talk about how much money they can make if they emigrate to the US and whether or not so and so is gay and what I think about Guatemaltecas. Limited thus far, but its still in Spanish ya know! Also I have started stocking the beautiful fish pond with koi, as it has been empty for 5 months. Naturally they named the first one "Lucas" after me, and on a side note "to be lucas" also means to be crazy in slang here. Always a good laugh.
Andrea has been volunteering in the large library reading to children three afternoons a week. She has really enjoyed this individual time with the children as well as practicing her spanish. She will have to include some of her stories soon, as she is taking a break from Nuestros Ahijados and working for PLFM as the substitute Director! When does she sleep! Not much actually, but she's hanging in there.
posted by Luke & Andrea at 12:58 PM
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