The Steps I Took: Guatemala 2014, Part 1
Jul 08 2014 · 0 comments · Community Service, Personal, Travel ·0
“Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead
My experience in Guatemala last year was so profound, that I decided to volunteer again this year with Team Kelly Kole through Catalyst Resources International. I really wasn’t sure what I would take away this year. Certainly, I knew more of what to expect as far as the conditions, the food and the poverty. What I didn’t expect was all of the questions I had about the future of the children, the education of young women and the corruption in the government.
As best I could, I’ve tried to convey my experiences and feelings about this year’s trip through my words and pictures. Lots of pictures…
As our flight comes in for a landing, I am struck by how beautiful Guatemala looks from above.
The pieced together rooftops are starting to come into view, what I can’t see yet are the huddled families who live under these corrugated tin flat tops.
Day 1: Our team is energetic and ready
As we approach our building site the path is narrow and dirty, we are balancing on stones and rocks and trying not to bump into barbed wire…
A Before shot, this is the area we will be building in. The cement foundation has been poured and is ready for construction to begin.
Hard to believe all the building supplies fit into these Rubbermaid boxes ~ I just packed away my winter shoes in something like this at home…
All it takes to build a house in Guatemala is a builder’s square, a pencil, and a measuring tape ~ oh yes, also a circular saw and a pile of wood with 81/2”x 11” papers with directions!
photo courtesy of Kelly Kole
Even though everyone on the team is participating in the building we take turns playing with the village children…
Joanne brought nail polish
This little one waits ever so patiently
The children use our wood scraps as building blocks
Back on site, no one works harder than the Kole Girls
Kelly and her daughter Riley
Can you believe that for most families, this is what serves as the Kitchen and the Laundry Room for a family of 6?
Beauty can be found in the most unlikely places…
Diego, the Guatemalan foreman, was my hero from last year and once again this year…
Did I hear Diego say, ‘Paaam more wood‘?
Hard at work
photo credit: Chasen West for Kandrac & Kole
photo credit: Chasen West for Kandrac & Kole
Yes, the dump is next door to the living quarters
We rested and regrouped at our living accommodations for the week
I never went to camp as a child, I think this is what it must be like…lots of fun with these girls!
One day our steps took us to another village where we visited with a special family. This is the grocery store we stopped at on the way there.
A few years ago, Kelly & her team built a home for this wonderful family. Each year when she comes to Guatemala, Kelly always pays a visit.
Kelly, Riley and Jen’s family….huge love
We all came bearing gifts. For the artist of the family, how could I resist a gift of paints and paper?
Look at the Welcome sign and the American flag that greeted us, we all had a tear or two in our eyes.
The family
The family and Team Kelly 2014
Our steps also took us to the local school to serve lunch this day. Take a peek at the stove and the lunch…
So priceless to see the smiles on the children’s faces!
Come back tomorrow when I will share pictures from the finished house and more of our great team!
xo,
Pamela
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