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Hands-On Project In February, 2009 13 volunteers traveled to Guatemala to work on our hands-on projects. These volunteers worked in two groups - a construction crew and a dental clinic group. The construction crew worked side by side with local workers to build a new classroom at La Vega I primary school. They spent the week mixing cement, tying rebar, laying block, and enjoying the company of the local workers and the children. Led by our very able translator Fred Ledesma, the volunteers and local workers made tremendous progress on the building. The other team members were Dan Holt, Guillermo Nieto, Simon King, and Wayne Phillips. Additionally, the local workers began the construction of much needed bathrooms at La Vega II primary school. Amigos de Guatemala provided the construction materials for each of these projects. Skilled labor is provided by ADIZ - NGO and all other labor is volunteer. Dr. Mark Pratt, DDS (Fillmore, CA) returned again to lead the dental clinic. He was assisted again by his daughter, Kristyn Pratt. Also the dental clinic included three dental hygienists (Jon Sefton, Judy Young, and Joyce Meeuwsen). Our translator, Petra Wirrell, is a missionary serving in a mission school in Guatemala City. Her language skills and compassion for the local people was/is a model of "service above self". All the dental team worked hard to serve a large number of people in great need of dental services. This year the dental clinic was located in the remote aldea of Turbala where we built classrooms in 2008. Turbala is located at 7200 feet above sea level and this year was unseasonably cold. It was obvious that neither the dental team or the local residents were prepared for such inclement weather. Everyone worked together keeping warm and productive. We also witnessed the delivery of desks to a primary school that were purchased by a District 5220 district simplified grant sponsored by Groveland Rotary Club. These desks furnished the classrooms that were built by Amigos de Guatemala in 2008. Finally, Bob and Jan Hatmaker worked on the scholarship/sponsorship program. We began the week with a Super Bowl party/dinner for the high school students where we celebrated the high school graduation of Pablo, Elvira, and Mariela. These students are the first graduates of our scholarship program! On Wed. we had another dinner with the junior high school scholarship students. On Thursday, we hosted a meeting with the parents of the students. Some of the parents walked a long as 2 hours to attend this meeting. Without this scholarship support these students would NOT be in school. Amigos de Guatemala now sponsors 36 students to attend secondary school. Please read more about this important program here. There are no hotels in Zacualpa, Therefore, as in past years, we stayed at the Catholic Church convent in Zacualpa. We thank our hosts, the nuns of the church, for making our accommodations convenient, comfortable and safe. The work week was topped off by a celebration of thanks presented by the students and teachers of La Vega I & II. They entertained us with song, dance and gifts. Finally, Fredy Argueta, 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. Without him we could not do what we are doing in the Zacualpa area of Guatemala. It is difficult to highlight the dedication of 13 volunteers who traveled to Guatemala at their own expense to work with rural indigenous Mayan people. Some laid brick, hauled fill, mixed cement and poured concrete until their backs and arms ached. Others bent over dental patients until their backs hurt. Others worked with the children, demonstrated proper use of a toothbrush or read and donated books to classrooms. This exemplifies the Rotary motto "Service above Self". All the volunteers paid their own way, worked hard and were proud to be part of such an effort. Many will return for more next year because they love the people of Guatemala (esp. the beautiful children) and enjoy working side by side with them. Honestly, it was not all work - we had much fun also. The traveling Amigos de Guatemala volunteers were: (click on the names for photos)
Bob &
Jan Hatmaker - Groveland, CA Return to Hands-on Project Page or
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