I Won a Guatemalan Trip Today!

[Guest]

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[cpbailey]

Steve,

I would think some classroom supplies that are more long term--dictionaries, an atlas, the book I recommended to you about cultures around the world.  Then put a donor sticker "Donated in Honor of [Child's name] by Steve and Syrenitee" would be a great option.  Perhaps some technology that would be out of reach for the school--to play music/tapes, a computer or something.  If it goes in the classrooms, they would benefit and could have status by bringing resources/fun for all.  If your idea isn't an option, ask what the school might be able to use long term.  You could tuck one book in your luggage, and pick up others locally.

Colette

[KivanSteven]

Perfect Colette, thats exactly what I meant by indirectly, not in the way of actual funds, but supplying needs for the family or community.  You took it a step further by mentioning the school(s) and I think thats a fantastic of an idea!  Of course Im keeping note of everyone's ideas--maybe I need to be doing more of the work around here   As busy as I am day in and day out I hardly have time to think--thats my excuse for relying on the bunch here.

[KivanSteven]

I wouldnt post these pics in another thread, but since its only devoted to what my luck has brought me, I thought Id post some for the curious--hey with Kiva we have come to expect pictures with everything right?  Others are more than welcome to post pictures of their sponsored children as well if they are comfortable in doing so and Glenda your stories cause me to ask you to consider this if you didnt mind--again very compelling narrative, but its ok if you decide not to.

2 days younger than Syrenitee, Yolanda will be 8 in November.  Favorite subject is math and loves to dance!

[wind5001]

She's adorable...and to think that she is a mere two days apart from Syrenitee, this makes it even more important in my eyes to take the trip, and take it with her!

[KivanSteven]

Maybe if I minimize their expenses they'll give me a third ticket Oli  lol

[wind5001]

Well, whom could that be meant for? 

Wait, I know, you want to take a cute babysitter for Syrenitee... If you really want to impress her, though, I believe you should NOT downsize on costs...just an advise from an older than you guy...

[Tatiana]

Hi Steve,

Just in case you still want to share with the rest of us:

I am quite curious how it is al going to work out in the end. Are you going yourself to Guatemala? Will you be donating (part of) the value of your prize?

[TheTatiana]

I was in Guatemala, at Lake Atitlan and in the nearby village of Panajachel, in the summer of 1991.  (There was a total eclipse of the sun that year that was seen by more people than any other in history, because it crossed over both Guatemala City and Mexico City.)  I want to say that Lake Atitlan and Panajachel have remained in my memory as the most beautiful place on planet earth.  I remember floating on my back in the cool crystal waters and looking up at jungle covered volcanoes all around, spilling over with bougainvillea and tropical flowers of all descriptions.  The mountain air was crisp and cool despite the strong warm sun.  The native Guatemalans dressed in their gorgeous traditional fabrics were so friendly and welcoming that I felt they must consider it a sacred honor and duty to show kindness and hospitality to visitors.  Everything I saw was charming and delightful.  I would not pass up a chance to visit again for anything!  I urge you to go, and to give your daughter the joy of going. 

[TheTatiana]

There is poverty in Guatemala, of course, of a sort that is particularly sad.  There is a very divided two-tier society, in which the native Guatemalans are not given the same opportunities as their brethren of European descent.  It reminded me sadly of my youth in the southeastern US, before the civil rights era, when cheap labor was extracted from blacks by dint of denying them education, voting rights, and jobs.  It saddened me greatly.  The villagers live almost at a stone-age level, with mud houses and thatched roofs, with no running water or plumbing, let alone electricity or decent roads.  A single well was in the center of the plaza around which the mud houses were neatly built.  I understand mud houses like that have to be rebuilt with every hard rain, which happens pretty frequently in the middle of the rain forest.  There is little or nothing in the way of education, medical care, and most such families can't afford enough meat for their children not to have iron deficiencies growing up.  This causes developmental problems that prevents them attaining their full intelligence, and causes other brain abnormalities.  Most of the native villagers are heavily parasitized by hookworms, as the ground never gets frozen there to kill the larvae.  This further deprives them of iron and other nutrients.  The civil war during the 1980s was so harsh and insanely cruel that entire villages would be slaughtered by the army in a systematic campaign of genocide.  Of course the journey of healing from times like that is long and painful, and no doubt it continues still.  It's a heartbreaking situation.  Yet despite all these hardships, they manage to live for the most part with such joy, and friendliness, and simple kindness for strangers, that it seems to a visitor like some paradise where no-one is ever cross or grumpy, and where the gods themselves smile on the weather, the landscape, and the gentle happy people.   Yes, I am in love with Guatemala.