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Hands-On Project In January, 2007 23 volunteers traveled to Guatemala to work on our hands-on projects. These volunteers traveled in two separate groups. The first group (primarily from Arizona) helped enclose a primary school (Portrero Viejo II) with a very nice brick and metal fence. They also started a second fence at another primary school (La Vega II). The second group (primarily from California) continued work on the fence at La Vega II. They also conducted a free dental clinic. Also, other projects funded by Amigos de Guatemala were completed and others were begun. This was a very busy two weeks!! The "Arizona Group" + one volunteer from Portland, Oregon all met in Dallas and flew together to Guatemala City. We spent a day in the historic city of Antigua gathering supplies and doing some shopping. On Sunday we traveled to our destination (Zacualpa) stopping to take in the famous Mayan market in Chichicastenango. The traveling Amigos de Guatemala volunteers in this first group were: (click on the names for photos)
Bob &
Jan Hatmaker - Groveland, CA As in
past years, we stayed at the Catholic Church convent in Zacualpa. Our
work site, Portrero Viejo II (roughly translated Old Pasture) primary
school, was a 20 min bus ride each day. Our work consisted mainly of
mixing cement and laying block for the lower portion of the fence.
This group and the Guatemalan workers (adults and children) were so focused
and hard working we were able to start a second school fence at another
primary school (La Vega II). Earlier the parent volunteers of La Vega
II had finished paving the muddy patio/play area which Amigos de Guatemala
funded. This group also visited past projects at Tunaja and La Vega I
primary schools. The first group capped off their experience with some R & R at the beautiful Lake Atitlan and then a visit to Guatemala's most famous Mayan ruins - Tikal. One volunteer even did some scuba diving in Belize. The "California Group" picked up where the AZ group left off tying rebar, mixing cement, and laying block for the fence. School was in session so we had lots of little hands to help with the work. The traveling Amigos de Guatemala volunteers in this second group were: (click on the names for photos)
Tom &
Adelia Hornick - Marina, CA In addition to the fence work, the teachers at La Vega II reluctantly asked for help with an infestation of head lice among the children. We purchased medicated shampoo and helped wash the hair of over 100 children. The group also distributed dental kits and demonstrated their proper use. Finally, we showed the girls how to clean and polish their fingernails. The intimate nature of this attention to personal hygiene was greatly appreciated by parents and teachers and loved by the children! When the fence at La Vega II is finished, Amigos de Guatemala has funded the replacement of the old, smelly, and unsanitary school toilets. When these projects are finished at this school, like its sister school (La Vega I) it will be a much more sanitary, safe and suitable atmosphere for quality education. In addition to school improvement projects, the second group conducted a free dental clinic at the offices of the NGOs ADIZ & APRODEZA. Dr. Rick Holm - Marina Rotary Club with his dental hygienist Betsy Rangel did over $28,000 (US value) worth of dental work (extractions and fillings). They were assisted by Inocencio Rangel with excellent translation services. The work week was topped off by a celebration of thanks presented by the students and teachers of La Vega II. They entertained us with song, dance and gifts. We reciprocated with gifts of soccer balls and school supplies. Finally, Fredy Arguefa, President of ADIZ NGO expressed his appreciation on behalf of the larger Zacualpa area. We are also thankful to Fredy for his help in arranging for all of our hands-on projects in Guatemala. Many of group #2 had to rush back to work but a few had some R & R at Lake Atitlan and others visited Tikal and went deep sea fishing in Belize. Marina Rotary Club sponsored a district simplified grant with a value of $3,000. This grant purchased and delivered 100 student desks, teacher desks and white boards to the very remote Pasajoc primary school. Tom Hornick, International Chair for Marina Rotary had the privilege of visiting this aldea (village) and accept the thanks from the parents and children of Pasajoc. This school is high in the mountains beyond even 4 wheel drive roads. The walls of many houses and the local church are corn stalks. Electricity has yet to be connected to the one room school house. Some classes will meet outside under a tin roof until the new school is built. The desks were carried in on the heads of the residents. Tom will carry the thanks of the people of Pasajoc to his very generous Marina Rotary Club. Every year we have worked in Guatemala, we have carried high quality vegetable seeds donated by the Seeds of Hope project under the direction of Mel Hansen of North Stockton, CA Rotary Club. These seeds are distributed by the ADIZ NGO for individual, school, and community gardens. Hands-on projects and project grants are much more than cement, bricks, rebar, desks, chairs and school supplies. Primarily, the volunteers of Amigos de Guatemala go to Guatemala to say "we care" to a people who have suffered with years of violence, isolation and poverty. The love expressed by these volunteers and those that support the work of Amigos de Guatemala is returned with the genuine gratitude of the people of Zacualpa and the surrounding aldeas (villages). Return to Hands-on Project Page or
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Group #2 (The "California Group")
Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge picture |
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 Cutting fence pipe |
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 "Work, what work?" |
 Speed block laying "team" |
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 Back to work - Pete & Carol |
 Leslie Brunker from Portland, Oregon |
 Rita Petersen from Yuma, AZ |
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 Pipe cutting crew |
 Sitting down on the job |
 Little helping hands |
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 Form cutting races |
 Seeds of hope |
 La Vega II parent committee |
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 La Vega II project |
 Tying wire for La Vega II fence |
 "Moving" fence block |
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 Cutting fence pipe |
 Foreman Juan Ruiz |
 La Vega II fence started |
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 Dental clinic |
 The Dental Team |
 Pasajoc |
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 More Pasajoc |
 Even More Pasajoc |
 Hair washing |
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 Finger nail care |
 Reading to the students |
 Gift of a skil saw |
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 "Praise the Lord" and pass the ear plugs |
 Inocencio's beard |
 La Vega II celebration |
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 Jaibalito mud/rock slide |
 Final thank you from the teachers at La Vega II |
 Adios Guatemala |
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