July 9 - Tuesday
Our morning started with a hearty breakfast at Hotel Santo Tomas and we were off to Camanchaj. The mountain drive was hazy with clouds and
we couldn't see much. We were so busy talking about what we were going to be doing that day that the trip passed by quickly. The men were
talking construction, the women busy with ideas about lunch and what is going on in the preschool, working in the pharmacy and all the tasks that
needed to be done with the clinic. Our youth have been fantastic, they are ready to help where ever there is a need.
we couldn't see much. We were so busy talking about what we were going to be doing that day that the trip passed by quickly. The men were
talking construction, the women busy with ideas about lunch and what is going on in the preschool, working in the pharmacy and all the tasks that
needed to be done with the clinic. Our youth have been fantastic, they are ready to help where ever there is a need.
When we drove onto the construction site, the patients were lined up waiting for treatment. There were many children waiting for us to open the new
preschool classroom. On Monday the children had passed the time coloring and producing their own art. They were ready to start! What a great
way to introduce our school into the community.
preschool classroom. On Monday the children had passed the time coloring and producing their own art. They were ready to start! What a great
way to introduce our school into the community.
The local pastor was present to begin our day with a devotion and we sang a song in Spanish. Each team member decided where they could be the
most helpful and went to work. Each person seems to have found their place in the many things that need to be done.
most helpful and went to work. Each person seems to have found their place in the many things that need to be done.
The construction team began moving more cement blocks to the upper floor. There was still rebar to be tied before the blocks could be put into
place. Small chunks of cement were dropped into the blocks so that the concrete could be poured and it wouldn't take as much concrete. Several
small showers slowed the construction down. However, it was plain at the end of the day that much had been accomplished. It is tiring work and we
appreciate the long hours they spend on construction.
place. Small chunks of cement were dropped into the blocks so that the concrete could be poured and it wouldn't take as much concrete. Several
small showers slowed the construction down. However, it was plain at the end of the day that much had been accomplished. It is tiring work and we
appreciate the long hours they spend on construction.
In the preschool classroom Evelyn and her team of children were drawing and painting. Cornstalk stencils were cut and using big sponges they
were painted onto the walls. The balloons were finished and Spanish words were added to identify colors. Across the room shapes were painted
and also labeled. Labeling in the preschool with appropriate Spanish is very important. The children will be expected to learn Spanish when they
attend public school. We hope to give them a boost by exposing them to Spanish in everything they do. K'iche is the local native language and is
an oral language. There is very little available in their language that is written.
were painted onto the walls. The balloons were finished and Spanish words were added to identify colors. Across the room shapes were painted
and also labeled. Labeling in the preschool with appropriate Spanish is very important. The children will be expected to learn Spanish when they
attend public school. We hope to give them a boost by exposing them to Spanish in everything they do. K'iche is the local native language and is
an oral language. There is very little available in their language that is written.
RuthAnna and Barb prepared a delicious lunch. One of the patients brought huge fresh carrots. They made a delicious carrot soup with grated
carrots, chicken stock, onions and spices. The soup with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches hit the spot. Everyone pitched in with cleaning the
dining area and then it was back to work.
carrots, chicken stock, onions and spices. The soup with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches hit the spot. Everyone pitched in with cleaning the
dining area and then it was back to work.
For the remainder of the afternoon we all worked trying to accomplish as much as the team was able. A group worked on cutting pills in half and
packaging them for the pharmacy. Other medication needed to be recounted and placed in plastic bags ready to be dispensed to the patients.
packaging them for the pharmacy. Other medication needed to be recounted and placed in plastic bags ready to be dispensed to the patients.
Around 4:00 we packed our belongings and began to board the bus back to Chichicastengo. It was a rewarding day and much was accomplished
by the team. It was raining slightly as we traveled back to our hotel and the temperature began to drop. Dr. Phil was waiting for us when we
returned to the hotel. He ate dinner with the team and then explained the Salud Y Paz project to the team members. He is a wonderful speaker and
we felt like we are a small part of his dream.
by the team. It was raining slightly as we traveled back to our hotel and the temperature began to drop. Dr. Phil was waiting for us when we
returned to the hotel. He ate dinner with the team and then explained the Salud Y Paz project to the team members. He is a wonderful speaker and
we felt like we are a small part of his dream.
As we all began to drift to our rooms, it was with a feeling of accomplishment and being a part of a bigger picture. For many of us this is the
beginning of a new path in our lives. This experience we will cherish for years to come as we continue to promote this project in each of our
individual ways.
beginning of a new path in our lives. This experience we will cherish for years to come as we continue to promote this project in each of our
individual ways.
Thanks to all who have supported this project and those who will support it in the future.
Pray for these wonderful people and the continued support for this project.
May God bless each of you.
| Preschool classroom |
| Upper level construction |