ICOatitlan

Well, that's a Wrap!

2012-02-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

If you've been following the dental caper, you will know that during most of our clinical days we were operating at less than 100% as we awaited the portable patient chair and overhead light. These both arrived with Jaclyn and that is a story in itself. In both the San Antonio Palopo and Santa Catarina Palopo clinics we used a borrowed "birthing" bed as our patient chair, and the only light we had was the headlamp attached to my loops. One has to learn to be adaptable when working in the field.

The addition of the chair and light were a godsend indeed as we were then able to function like a truly complete dental office. Both ease and efficiency were increased exponentially and exceeded all my expectations. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to both Rotary Clubs of Oak Bay and Nelson, who so generously provided all the essential components. And to "Aseptico", the company who created the portable dental clinic and who provided ongoing technical support. We spent approximately 3 weeks in each village providing dental services that ranged from cleanings to fillings to extractions, with many of the extractions requiring challenging surgical procedures. We managed all this without the aid of X-ray, but are hoping to find a way to fundraise to purchase a portable digital X-ray that can be connected to a laptop and provide essential pictures.

This year we decided to provide all services to children at no fee and to charge adults 10 Quetzales ($1.25) for fillings, with surgeries and cleanings free. One of the challenges we face is the overwhelming need for our services; hopefully we can attract other dentists to join us in this essential service in years to come.

The educational component is about to begin as Jaclyn and a local woman, Ursula (who also assisted us), visit the schools with a variety of teaching aids.

In order to further teach the value of dental health and services we are considering charging a fee of 10 Q next year for all services, including children. We are convinced that "giving things away" does not lead to "responsibility" which is our ultimate goal. Knowing what I know about the implications of dental health on whole health, I am deeply satisfied with the work we did in these villages, in particular, the surgery rendered to remove chronically infected teeth. We witnessed things that most dentists in Canada never see and while ours was a basic and simple approach, it was most fulfilling and health promoting.

Tricia has been indefatigable in her compilation of treatment data which will provide an valuable historical reference and I am deeply grateful for her organizational skills and attention to detail. Ursula was invaluable not only as a translator into the local dialect of Kaqchiquel but also for her willingness to step in as a chairside assistant. Jaclyn was our "go to gal" when we needed supplies during our clinical days; and a late addition, Dianne, a nurse from Victoria, provided compassion and help wherever required. Not enough can be said about the inestimable contribution of Maria, a certified dental assistant from Victoria, without whose direction and expertise none of this could have come together as well as it did. I am especially grateful to her for making my job so much less stressful. ICO, our parent support organization, has been totally helpful in all regards, including fundraising, and we are all indebted to the many volunteers behind the scenes for making this opportunity available to us. Mil gracias a todo!

And to you the reader, a special expression of gratitude for your prayers and your financial support so that we can continue to be of "service above self".
Bendiciones,
Juan Jose

2012-02-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

February 5th...From Kathy:

We are now here a whole month and there is never a dull moment. I seem to be in constant communication with Felipa (seen above right with new employee Isabel), our Centre coordinator, as there is a constant need for cash transfers! We discuss everything from food for the ancianas’ lunch to a new sewing machine or a pair of shoes for a scholarship student. We have hired Isabel, who has been volunteering part time for the last few months, as assistant to the coordinator. We interviewed 3 other young women and Isabel was by far the best candidate. She will be working a lot with our pre-school program for 4 & 5 year olds three days a week. It is quite a big leap for many of the poorest children to come from their homes where there is absolutely nothing to prepare them for the world of school.

Now that we have the scholarship students all set up, the school supplies doled out, the assistant hired, and the programs planned, we can actually start implementing the classes. They will start this week. For women there will be the ancianas’ (elderly women) lunch on Mondays, in between high school scholarship students tutoring primary students who need help with specific subjects (probably reading comprehension and maths). The high school students are required to participate in this in exchange for transportation money as they have to take a pick-op or van to school - there is no high school in San Antonio Palopo. Tuesdays there will be more tutoring in the morning, and in the afternoon there will be a group of women coming who want to learn useful conversational Spanish through dramatization, games, and whatever else we can think of!

The rest of the week in the mornings there will be the preschool (or escuelita), and in the afternoons more groups for women. There is one sewing class that includes embroidery and crochet and an introduction to sewing with electric sewing machines - and making little things. Women can make money embroidering their traditional clothing, table cloths, bed spreads, etc. Another afternoon there will be a cooking class combined with the not so hidden agenda of nutrition, health, hygiene, and family planning. (In fact all the classes will include some of this.)

Fridays in February will see a volunteer, Cathy Hargreaves from Nelson, BC, teaching a group of young women to sew sanitary napkins. They are really keen and it would be great to see them turn it into a small business. They are also making cushion covers and aprons.

Saturday mornings will be reserved for activities for about 20 children aged 10 to 13. It will be fun to see what they get up to in the next couple of months!

Meanwhile, rent for the Centre is to be negotiated… we are trying to figure out what is fair. We are making an effort to turn the Board of Directors (seen below meeting with Kathy) into a more active group with more responsibility and involvement.

Dianne Perry (below), a nurse from Victoria, arrived a week ago and has been making the rounds to see how she could help in the Puesto de Salud (health clinic) and the schools; she is teaching First Aid to teachers and grade 6 students.

And finally, Tricia Timmermans from Victoria is teaching English in the Centre Monday and Wednesday nights to a keen group of students. During the day, she joins fellow Victorians Dentist John Snively and Dental Assistant Maria Consalvo along with Ursula Cumez Calabay (of Santa Catarina Palopo) in the Lake Atitlan dental project where there are presently treating patients from San Antonio and Santa Catarina.

Next installment in a few days!

The Dental Team in Action

2012-01-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Dental Assistant, Maria Consalvo, demonstrates teeth cleaning to young patient while Mom, brother, and Ursula, a volunteer from Santa Catarina Palopo, look on. Dr. Juan is in background attending to the Mobile Dental Unit, which was donated by Rotary.

Coming to a place like this, the land of the Maya, one must park one's traditional views and expectations at the door or "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune". Things hardly ever go according to plan and often more time and energy is spent on attempting to be "organized" than on providing the service. We are quickly learning both patience and tolerance and realizing that appointments for treatment are more loosely regarded as "whenever they can make it!" Some people show up on the wrong day or several hours late because something more important came up in the meantime. Back home we also take for granted that the electricity coming out of the plug is generally 110 V but here it can fluctuate anywhere between 80-150 and our sophisticated dental unit moans when the voltage drops significantly. We are now well recognized within the community, not totally because we are obviously from somewhere else and wearing "scrubs" but more importantly that we are providing a valuable service and those that come to the clinic are indeed grateful. It is still very heart rending to see children whose permanent teeth must be extracted because they have never been taught the value of teeth nor given any instruction on how to care for them. While our immediate concerns are focussed on the clinical side we all agree that education is the key to change.

We were fortunate to connect with a native Guatemalan, Monica Diaz, who is a nutritionist in this area; together we are going to collaborate on a teaching method that will bring understanding to the local people about diet, oral hygiene and the impact of dental health on whole health. This will be our greatest gift to give. Without knowledge and understanding there can be no opportunity of choice and hence responsibility. Our role must go beyond being "fixers".

On a personal note I must express my deep appreciation to both Maria and Tricia who are totally dedicated to the management of all the records, patient comfort and the numerous duties required to keep everything sterile and in order. Their days begin early and end late with phone calls and paper work. In addition they should be commended for their tolerance of my brief moments of frustration when things go sideways. We are proving to be a very dedicated and effective team and we appreciate all the support sent our way by you.

Juan Jose

Guatemala's future in the hands of a new government

2012-01-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

Check this Guatemala Human Rights Commission blog to get an idea of the direction in which new President Otto Molina Perez is taking the country.

Busy, productive week in San Antonio Palopo

2012-01-20T20:41:00.000-08:00

Our Scholarship Students

Filling the bags - scholarship kids help at the Centre

What a productive week. All the scholarship students have met, handed in their school financial requirements, received their school supplies, had their inscription and tuition fees paid for January and have started school. There are 17 of them, 11 in middle school and 6 in high school. I am trying to learn their names. Once I can see beyond the sameness of the traditional dress of the girls I can identify faces. With the boys there is a sameness of non traditional dress...T-shirt and jeans and that doesn´t make it any easier. About 100 other primary school children each received a bag full of school supplies that they are required to have. We thought we would be receiving 100 filled bags however the supplies came in cartons of paints, crayons, notebooks, pencils etc so we had to organize an assembly line. A child would go down the line with a bag if it was a boy or a servietta if it was a girl. All women and girls carry these squares made of the same material as their huipiles or blouses. Then they tie them up and carry things on their heads. Their posture is unbelievable. I was amazed at how smoothly the whole operation went.... thanks to most of the scholarship students and a few other volunteers who helped us out.

Meanwhile, the sun shines, the wind blows and it is incredibly beautiful here. Momentarily the pressure is off but it is only momentary! Next comes planning the Centro Qawinaq activities - all within a budget of course. It is quite easy to get carried away as there are so many possibilities. We are looking at wages..... have to hire one or two part time people, painting the walls, buying a couple more sewing machines and a pila - a sink like fixture where dishes can be washed. As well as a rent increase. The price of electricity in Guatemala (privatized) is always going up and our use of the Centre increases. Felipa, our coordinator, is anxious to get things going again after the holidays and the beginning of school. We are planning a meeting of the board of directors. We will be looking for new members as some have moved on to other things. It is a bit tricky for us who don´t know much about the relationships in this tightly knit, interrelated village! But we will be meeting and planning a visit with the new mayor who evidently is educated and may be the first literate one!It may help if they know about the Centro Qawinaq and about InnovativeCommunities.Org.

I have begun talking with CONALFA, the government literacy organization which gives classes to adults who haven´t managed to get their primary school education. We have supported them in some way for the last 4 years. They have been using the Centre for holding at least one class that meets twice a week for 3 hours. There is a new coordinator and she would like to continue to be able to use the space. So we will be factoring that into our schedule of activities too.

And on it goes... . I keep seeing people who want to talk to me about getting some kind of assistance. Some of it is really basic, like food, clothes; others want to go on to school, or need money to buy something, or a loan. The price of onions is down, no one is making money weaving. There are very few tourists.

All for now!

Kathy

Two happy kids gratefully holding their new school supplies

School supplies, scholarships, and cooking pots

2012-01-14T19:17:00.001-08:00

From Kathy:
Day 7 or 8 in San Antonio Palopó and time flies. With some urgency we are getting the scholarship students sorted out, trying to keep within our budget. Felipa was up rather late last night figuring out school fees and school supplies. This year we will include transportation costs for the students going to high school. In exchange, they will help some younger children who are not doing well in school. This will be a great savings for the families. One young fellow is taking an exam to take a course in automotive mechanics. Aside from nursing and teaching that is the most sensible plan I have heard!

At noon today I went to visit a family that we have been giving support to so that the older daughter could go to school rather than to work. The Mum is a widow of 4 years now and we thought this would help her get back on her feet. It is not happening quite as we had hoped and the daughter who is 15 and would only be going into grade 5 doesn´t want to go back to school. Who can blame her -- she´s just plain too big! I hope we can find some other options for her but she seems to want to go to Guatemala City and work as an ´ama de casa´, looking after children, cleaning, etc. She and her 4 younger siblings live with their mother in a very tiny concrete block house. I think the house is just getting too small.

While having lunch back at the hotel, a former scholarship student came to say she is not returning to school as she did not pass her year..... one failing mark and she has to do the whole year over again. This gal is having difficulties at home with her parents she tells me, and she seems quite depressed. There is a psychiatrist who comes once a month so I will try to get her an appointment.

After this I went to the Centro where 50 women who received stoves in December were waiting to receive their pots and pans and have a little fiesta. It was great, they thanked us and the donors profusely for providing stoves and pots. We had cake and juice, handed out pots, gave speeches and then turned on the music only no one would dance except for one woman who got up to dance with me! The rest laughed a lot. One woman gave me a ´cinta´ which is a long hand woven colourful´thing´ most use to put up their beautiful long black tresses -- then she did my skimpy grey hair with it. They laughed at that too!

As soon as the fiesta was finished we cleared the floor and chairs for the smaller group of scholarship students and their mothers (as it turned out, no fathers). Some we helped last year but there are quite a few new ones and they are going in all different directions for school. Felipa read them the ´rules´and they all signed papers saying they will comply!! I took pictures of each one and then we gave school supplies to those who are in the equivalent of middle school. The others will get theirs on Sunday. I get rather emotional when I see how much it means to them to have this (your) help.

Tomorrow I and the dental team will continue working but Saturday we will all have a day off, hire a van and go to Iximché, about 2 hours (and only 45 K) away. Iximché is a Mayan Archaeological site, not very developed but quite a beautiful location and the last place to be built before the Spanish came. I am going to check it out with the idea of taking a bus load of children from here one day. Many haven´t been very far out of the village and being able to learn about a bit of their own history seemed like a good (and fun) idea. Also it is a lot of wide open space, if I recall correctly, and I thought we could take soccer balls and the kids could run wild -- not much room to do that in this vertical village where there is no grass.

All for now!

Dentistry at San Antonio Palopo

2012-01-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today we had an early start to try to get through the list we had planned after screenings on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Mobile Dental Unit (seen in action in the Puesto de Salud at right) that Rotary so generously provided worked exceedingly well. We had a few start-up glitches, but overall the day went fairly smoothly. In the afternoon we had three no-shows in a row - not such an unusual occurrence - so we filled the spots with some walk-ins. Many people are keen to have the work done, but then get cold feet, or forget, or simply, for whatever reason, don't show up. Ursula (left in photo at right) from Santa Catarina was a great help all day long. I found standing all day on a concrete floor had its challenges. The room we are working in is extremely crowded, but you get what you get and make do.

Here's a close-up of the mobile dental unit. We keep the sterilizer in the room across the hallway, as there simply isn't room in the procedure room. The Puesto de Salud staff have accommodated us as best they can, given the very poor circumstances in San Antonio Palopo. We have seen some incredibly healthy sets of teeth, but many of the kids, who seem to enjoy a diet of coca cola and sweets, have horrendous teeth requiring several extractions. Maria's experience as a Dental Assistant has been invaluable to the team.

School's In - Almost! Planning is Underway in San Antonio Palopo

2012-01-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

From Kathy in San Antonio Palopo:
Once again I find myself in this amazing village, working with delightful Mayans. My experience is mostly with women because we have hired women to work with women and children in the Centro Qawinaq. However there are some great men too. One, Rodolfo, who organizes our stove deliveries in Santa Catarina, his helper Martin; Francisco who is the President of the board of directors for the Centro in San Antonio; the directors of the schools, and lots more.
But back to the women. With Felipa our Centro coordinator, I have just spent the better part of 3 days organizing scholarship students, new ones and on-going. Everything from deciding on new candidates, finding out how much their costs will be this year, to pricing and ordering school supplies -- keeping all within the budget. We are fine-tuning the process too. The students are required to help out in the Centro during the year. And this year our coordinator will be able to keep a much closer eye on their participation and their school marks; school fees will be paid monthly instead of annually as before. My biggest challenge is having to say `no ´ to the queries. Amazing what they can´t do for want of under $200 (for a year in middle school).
This year we are going to shop locally for school supplies. The `librería´ here in San Antonio is being extremely helpful. And their prices seem comparable with the bigger store we usually go to in Panajachel where they are so busy this week that they spread right out on the street in front of them. We will not only be buying supplies for our 15 scholarship students, we will also bag up enough for about 100 primary students and give them to families with limited resources.

School starts Monday for most students so this will presumably be finished then.
Then we move on to planning programs for 2012 in the Centro, hiring a new assistant or perhaps 2 part timers, preparing the budget, and when that is all done it will be time to start finding more families that need stoves. I will be ready for a vacation after that!

Screening Day 1 - Centro Qawinak

2012-01-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

After the announcements were made over the Municipality loudspeaker to advise that a dental clinic would be held, we were unsure how many of the people of San Antonio Palopo would make their way to the Centro Qawinak to have their teeth checked today. We needn't have worried that the word hadn't been broadcast - at the end of the day we had screened 43 adults and children, most of whom will require treatment - extractions, fillings, cleaning and scaling, root extractions, etc. We (Dr. John, Maria and Tricia) were going full throttle all day from eight in the morning, when we had to lug an examination bed from the Health Clinic to the Centre, till after five in the evening. We were assisted ably with translation (from Spanish to Kaqchikel) by Brenda from San Antonio Palopo and Izabel from Santa Catarina Palopo. Tomorrow we repeat the screening process and on Thursday we will start treatment and surgery at the Health Clinic. Here are a few photos from today's work at Centro Qawinak:

Introductions ... and cooking pot distribution

2012-01-08T05:31:00.000-08:00

At the Qawinak Centre

This morning, Kathy, Maria and Tricia attended the Qawinak Centre to be introduced to the youngsters who take part in the Saturday program run by Felipa, an assistant and a volunteer. The kids took turns introducing themselves and telling us what they liked to do most at the Centre. Many of the thirty or so boys and girls were very shy, so Felipa encouraged them to speak with confidence, which was usually accompanied by loads of giggling. When we finished the children carried on playing card games, doing jigsaw puzzles and reading books until it was time to leave.

In the afternoon, we travelled via "pick-op" from San Antonio Palopo to Santa Catarina Palopo to distribute cooking pots (a big one and a small one) to the women who had just received stoves. Rodolfo, and Ursula of Santa Catarina and Brenda of San Antonio, organized the distribution at Rodolfo's home. The women patiently sat on the floor until everyone had arrived; some were feeding babies, some were holding small children; all were dressed in the beautiful colours traditionally worn by the women of Santa Catarina. The huipiles (blouses) they wear are made of an exquisite deep-blue intricate weave and usually the turban-like headwear is made of a deep burgundy velvet fabric. Before the distribution, a small candle-lighting ceremony was held and speeches were made. The women's deep-felt appreciation was palpable, and there was much hugging and kissing before they left to try out their new pots on their ONIL stoves.

Happy New Year to ICO Atitlan Supporters and Friends

2012-01-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Kathy, Maria and John enjoying beautiful Lago Atitlan.

The year has just begun, and already volunteers have arrived in San Antonio Palopo to take part in projects here and around Lake Atitlan. Kathy has had meetings with Felipa and Francisco to discuss and plan ongoing and new projects, and John, Maria and Tricia have been organizing to begin the dental project, with screening to begin on Tuesday in the Qawinak Centre. We will update you with how things are progressing on a regular basis, now that volunteers have arrived. Happy New Year to all our supporters and friends.

Our Donor Gift Cards are ready for Christmas

2011-11-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

Instead of buying gifts for your loved ones this Holiday Season, why not consider a Christmas Gift Card, and make a donation in their names to benefit less fortunate Mayan villagers in Guatemala. This would mean a world of difference to the poor of San Antonio and other villages on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Our four cards give you a choice of donating to buy eco-stoves, to provide much needed social programs, to assist in a dental project, or to educate children. You will receive a Canadian tax receipt for your contribution. If you would like to give a donation and have cards sent to you, or sent directly to the gift-recipient, please contact Susan: susangage@innovativecommunities.org. The four categories of cards (Stoves, Community, Dental, and Education) appear below.

Scarf Sales - just in time for Christmas

2011-11-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

A new shipment of our gorgeous GUATEMALAN SCARVES has arrived in time for the holidays.

Many of you have generously supported (by donations and by purchasing scarves) our Scarves for Stoves Project. We are a small group of committed volunteers who work in small impoverished villages in Guatemala, where we are having a very positive impact on the Mayan villagers' health and on the environment through the distribution of safe, fuel efficient stoves to replace open hearth fires, which cause major health problems such as respiratory illnesses, eye infections, burns to children - as well as massive deforestation.

Please pass the following scarf sale information on to all your friends.

1. THE CRYSTAL SINGERS HOLIDAY SHOPPING FAIR at ST. PETER'S CHURCH, 3939 ST PETER'S RD, (off Quadra near Reynold's Road) on NOV 19th from 1PM TO 3.30 PM

2. VIDEA FAIR TRADE FAIR at the First Metropolitan United Church Hall, 932 Balmoral Road (off Quadra)

on Saturday November 26th from 10AM until 4PM.

3. SUNRISE WALDORF CHRISTMAS FAIR, Sat. Nov. 19 from 10AM to 3PM at 4344 Peters Road, Cowichan Station (in the Cowichan Valley). Check here for more details.

4. COURTENAY FIESTA, held at the Filberg Centre on December 3rd from 10AM to 3PM. Largest Fair Trade Fair in Canada.

VIDEA's Fair gives you a chance to support more than 35 local fair trade vendors, make your holiday purchases with a conscience, enjoy great live music and food from the International Women’s Catering Co-op, good friends, and lots more! Admission is by donation; there are lots of door prizes. More information at www.videa.ca

2011-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Weaving is vital to the livelihood of the people of San Antonio Palopo. Lucien tells here of how much his family depends on the sale of his family's weaving products while some of his family demonstrate how the products are created.

Scarf Party a Success

2011-05-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Gorgeous Guatemalan Scarf party was a resounding success. More than one hundred people arrived to see and purchase the beautiful scarves displayed in Carole Sabiston's lovely heritage home.

When all was said and done, we had met our goal of $2,200, which will buy 20 Onil stoves, and had also banked an equivalent amount to pay for the next order of scarves. This is good news for the weavers of San Antonio, who are always desperately seeking markets for their beautiful weavings.

Thanks to everyone supported or assisted the sale in any way.

Scarf sale in Victoria - an Invitation

2011-04-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

GORGEOUS GUATEMALAN
SCARF SALE

SATURDAY, MAY 7^th, 10:30 TO 12:30

1648 ROCKLAND (corner of Terrace)
limited parking

Carole Sabiston, the artist, is co-hosting, along with the ICO Guatemalan Scarves-for-Stoves Team, a Scarf Sale in her heritage home. This is a great opportunity to buy yourself or any mothers in your lives a Mother’s Day gift that makes a difference!

Many of you, especially if you have been reading our blog, are already familiar with the work we’ve been doing in small impoverished Mayan villages, replacing open hearths (which are so bad for the health of families and for the planet) with clean-burning, made-in-Guatemala stoves. When you buy a handwoven Mayan scarf for $20 to $40, you help provide a living for a village weaver, and also contribute towards a stove. And every penny we make goes towards the project: we pay all our own travel costs.

Our goal for this sale is to raise enough for 20 stoves - $2,200. Please join us and pass this on to any interested friends.

Please pass this Internet URL on to any of your friends who you think may be able to come.

www.icoatitlan.blogspot.com

Mary Lynch

San Antonio Palopo - a volunteer's typical day

2011-04-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today was another typical day here in San Antonio Palopo, so typical, that it is worth telling you about. This morning I walked up to the markets to buy my usual pan frances (unsweetened rolls) at the small tienda owned by Julio and Rosa, plus a few plump tomatoes, an avocado, and a couple of small onions from the various ladies who regularly spend their days in the markets. Lunch! I splurged today and added a can of apple juice.

I then walked down the hill (north) to take a closer look at the area that was devastated by the mud and rock slides in September. One can only try to imagine what the terror of that tragic night must have been. On the way I was stopped by a couple of the women who I know from the cooking and sewing classes at the Centro Qawinak, just to say Hi. Oh, well, one did want to sell me chalinas (scarves), but she didn’t push it.

I made a decision to go down past the man who sits most days on the steps that lead down to the lakefront from the church, not my usual route. I had an inexplicable urge to talk to him. He told me his name was Santos Sicay, and that he had been blind for about twenty years. His sign read (in English): Please help me out to survive. I’m a blind person and can’t no longer make a living on my own. Thank you very much and God bless you on your way. He said he went blind poco a poco and that he could now no longer see anything. He explained how he lived close by, and how it was difficult for him to traverse the complex, maze-like paths that link the dwellings in San Antonio Palopo, so he rarely ventured from this area. We chatted for about ten minutes about this and that. I asked him how old he was. Sixty-five, was his answer. Oh, I said, I’m almost sixty-five too. He found this strangely amusing and laughed his head off. Maybe it was my Spanish! Anyway, I pressed a few coins into his hand and left thinking: well, if all I have done today is to give a blind man a good laugh, it’s been a day well spent.

Later, after lunch, I went to the Centro Qawinak to see if Felipa (our project Director) needed any help with her Spanish class. As usual, the little boys and one tiny little girl (Karina) were causing havoc, seemingly unnoticed by their mothers, nor by Felipa. The women were there to learn Spanish. They are some of the many unfortunate ones who missed school, because they had to work for their parents, or because their parents could not afford the school fees Guatemalans must pay. The Centre is helping them catch up, and they are taking precious time out of their days to take advantage of what the program offers. I took the kids outside to the adjoining room and brought a bundle of crayons and sheets of paper with me; there was much laughter, but each of them eagerly sat quietly on a step and drew some wonderful pictures.

These kids are typical of the indigenous kids throughout Guatemala. Only today in the Guatemala Times there was article about the possibility of the Guatemalan government enacting a national food emergency in Guatemala. It stated: About 49 percent of children in Guatemala are chronically malnourished according to the World Food Program—the fourth highest rate in the world. In indigenous communities the rate is closer to 70 percent.

Little Karina (left) fits the picture to a tee. She is way too small for her age, has an almost blank stare about her, and is an obvious victim of poverty and deficient nutrition. All of these kids today had runny noses and needed a good bath. None had shoes. One can only wonder at their futures.

In the evening, I taught my English class to about 20 keeners. It’s such a delight to see the eagerness in these people – half of them adults, half of them kids of about 10 to 12 years old. The questions, the willingness to learn, it’s simply a wonderful experience. Tonight I decided to divert from the boring verbs we have been concentrating on lately (although they assured me that verbs are not boring) to do a class on food. I learned a few new words – for example, what I call a chayote (or choko in Australia) they call a guisquil (but with two dots over the “u” and sounding like whiskil). There was loads of laughter as they listened to me trying to pronounce it. To get back at them, I gave them the dreaded Homework! They have to write out a recipe using the new words they learned tonight – in English! Little Luis came to me after the class and asked if it would be all right if he just did the words in English, and did the description of how you make the recipe, in Spanish. He and his brother, Alex, are two of my favourites. At the end of each class, they have the loudest voices when we all say: Are you ready? Yes! OK, let’s Go!, always causing the adults in the class to burst out laughing. And, as usual, before she slips out the door, lovely Reina hands me a note that always gives me such a warm feeling. Tonight’s note says: Tricia, te mando esta carta para ti, Tricia gracias porque estoy aprendiendo un poco Englesh. Reina, Buena amiga which translates, more or less: Tricia, I send this letter to you, Tricia, to thank you because I'm learning a little Englesh. Reina, your good friend.

And so another day goes by in this enchanting little town.

Simple Pleasures

2011-04-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Catholic Church above San Antonio Palopo

Sometimes it’s the simple things that generate the greatest joys. Take, for instance, the trip I took to Sololá on Saturday with Francisco, the husband of our centre’s Director, Felipa. We were off to buy a whiteboard (pizarron blanco), which would be a teaching aid for programs in the Centre. Sololá (about 80 kilometres west of the Capital) is a mere 20 kilometres northwest of San Antonio Palopó – less as the crow flies. A trip that would be relatively easy in most countries is a little more complicated in Guatemala, especially in this tortuous, volcano-scattered, highland region.

San Antonio from a lancha - note how the lake has risen!

To get to Sololá, Francisco and I first hopped into the back of a pick-up outside the large white Catholic Church overlooking San Antonio Palopó and Lake Atitlan, and, like Jack and Rose on The Titanic, we stood tall, with raised faces to the wind, taking in the sweet mountain air as we zipped past stunning lake views and crumbling cliffs, while thumbing our noses at the seat-belt laws of the western world. Seat-belt laws exist here in Guatemala, too, Francisco yelled in Spanish above the noisy gear-grinding of the “pick-op”, but it’s a bit of a joke. How else are we going to get there? And that was the truth. There are no buses to San Antonio Palopó, as the winding, treacherous roads are not exactly big-yellow-school-bus friendly. In Panajachel (Pana to the locals) we hopped on one such school bus and headed for Sololá. The buses pull up close to Sololá’s wide main plaza,

Main plaza, Sololá

where there’s a pleasant old park filled with families enjoying a pleasant weekend. I glued myself to Francisco’s heels as he hot-footed it through the maze of the busy, but relatively quiet market, down a steep back alley to a little libreria. We described what we were after to the owner, a humorous fellow, who proceeded to take us down a set of steps to a hideout under his shop. And there she stood – the most beautiful pizarron blanco in Guatemala! We bought it on the spot.
Francisco had a Calculus class to attend (he’s studying to be an engineer), so we parted, and I took off to explore Sololá. As well as its market, it’s full of farmacias and restaurantes, but what I was really looking for was a place to have a pedicure. I scampered up and down asking in sleepy tiendas where I could find a Salon de Belleza, and I did find a few, but being Saturday afternoon, most were closed – or they would return at 2.30PM, or some other such story. In the markets I found a little girl selling bright red nail polish, and another selling nail clippers, so that solved my glamour problem.

Back to the libreria. Francisco arrived from his class, and we started the trek back home. He, being the gentleman that he is, insisted on lumping the huge board onto his back and heading uphill, through more precipitous backstreets to a pick-op privado.

Francisco and our precious cargo

Our monster barely fitted, but it did, and after a little negotiating, off we sped to Pana, roller-coasting along while gripping the whiteboard for dear life as we turned this way and that, downhill the five kilometres to Panajachel, which sits 600 metres below, and where the temperature was a pleasant few degrees warmer. Another hike and another pick-op, but this one was not a privado! It was absolutely crammed with Kaqchikel Mayan women dressed in their traditional San Antonio huipils which differentiate them from women in other communities. They had been selling their wares in Panajachel. They barely gave a glance towards the large whiteboard poised precariously between the passengers, and soon we were off on another winding, spectacular ride to San Antonio Palopó. Just outside Santa Catarina Palopó, we slowed down for a quarter-mile-long wedding party walking behind the veiled bride to a dramatic looking reception venue on the lake. We were soon back to the big white church that stands grandly overlooking the stunning lake. The whole trip there and back for the three of us (our monster had taken on its own personality) was a whole $6.50. But we weren’t finished yet. Francisco lumped our new friend on his back again (easier for one than two in the tiny alleys was his excuse for refusing help), and the gleaming whiteboard was soon standing in the ICO social centre, ready to be a teaching tool for the many classes that will follow. Last night, I christened the whiteboard when teaching my English class. Oh, the joy of the feel of those squeaky markers on the brilliant white surface. It may seem an insignificant item to most, but in this part of the world where people have so little, our new whiteboard stands as one of life’s simple pleasures.

Another of life's simple pleasures!

Volunteering in paradise!

2011-04-03T20:47:00.000-07:00

Learning English is not something that I had thought would be very popular in San Antonio Palopo, after all, many of the people, especially the older ones, speak limited Spanish and are often illiterate. Their mother tongue is Kaqchiquel (pronounced catchikell). But how wrong I was. I have been pleasantly surprised with the numbers arriving at the Centro door for lessons. To date, I’ve taught ten lessons, and with twenty lessons left before I leave on April 30, what a wonderful experience it is turning out to be. I teach for an hour and a bit every week night at 6PM. There is palpable enthusiasm among the students, who range in age from 8 to about 48. My first class consisted of 9 students, for the second there were 19, and for the third, it was standing room only. The average, after two weeks, is about 17 students. I’m teaching conversational English – often simply things that they ask me to teach them, and things that I feel would benefit them in their daily work and lives. Julian, whose rooms we rent for the Social Centre, is one of my keenest students. This is handy, as he has the keys! I see him most days outside of the lesson times, and he always tries to greet me in a different salutation in English. Luciano (the colectivo driver) comes when he can as well. He was delighted to learn: “Are you ready? OK, let’s go!” I have no doubt these words will be heard by tourists arriving in Panajachel anytime soon. A wonderful side-effect of teaching English is that it has improved my Spanish. This week I am pricing an 8 x 4 whiteboard, as it would be a useful addition to the English classes, and to all the classes that are held in the centre.

The English lessons are but a small part of my experience in San Antonio Palopo. Last Sunday night, I sat in on the Directivo's Board meeting. They're a group of local volunteers who oversee the running of the Social Centre. Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours at the basico school, helping to fix some of the computers that were non-functional. The days are full and varied, and always interesting.

Felipa and Angelica, our two employees, do a stellar job in keeping things running smoothly. On Mondays, Felipa holds a clase de alfabetización en español (Spanish literacy class) which runs for three hours. Angelica runs a similar class on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, Isabel from CONALFA, the government organization responsible for literacy programs, has a three-hour Spanish class, while Felipa holds a sewing class for women. Lately it has been embroidery and crochet lessons, but soon they are going to start a project (using the electric serger) where we will be teaching women to make washable sanitary pads. We are sharing fabric (and hopefully machines) with the school. Some of the impermeable fabric was generously donated by Fabricland at the Tillicum Shopping Centre in Victoria (250- 475-7501). The manager there was moved when I told her about San Antonio’s 2010 disasters, and what the fabric would be used for, and she gave a substantial discount. Another regular project involves a class for mothers with toddlers, where they are taught good nutritional practices, and more. That’s the Thursday morning group, and then in the afternoon there are cooking and Spanish classes.

One of the most delightful days is Fridays, when the group lovingly referred to as the ancianas or, in English, the elderly ladies, come to the centre. They are given a healthy meal and do small sewing projects. Presently they’re making monkeys out of socks! There’s much infectious giggling filling the room as they try on various pairs of glasses (at times, upside down) till they find a pair that actually help with needle threading. Before their meal, they pray fervently, eyes closed, with profound sincerity. How I would love to have an entry into those minds as they pray, as they have no doubt experienced many sorrows throughout their tough lives.

On Saturdays, it’s a lively time at the centre, when the nine-to-thirteen-year-olds appear on the scene. Yesterday they were making fabric art pieces out of scrap material. There’s much hilarity as they dive into the mound of fabric on the floor, searching for the perfect piece for their artistry. Sadly, many of their pictures are of the terrible mudslides that so recently changed this little town forever.

I had hoped to be blogging more regularly, but somehow the days are so full, that by the time the English lessons are over, the tropical tiredness sets in, and, well, you know how it goes.

Hasta pronto .... Tricia

Adios from Jacqueline - until January 2012

2011-03-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

As I leave Guatemala after three months I am thankful for all that has happened and the positive impact of our three new projects. The greatest joy was to watch the children in their non-stop play and laughter enjoying the newly installed playground equipment.

This project, sponsored by ICO and funded by Rotary Nelson, services close to 1,000 children and is in full use by the schools for gym classes and recess. It was very special to cut the ribbons at the opening ceremony on a day of great fiesta and sing together the national anthem with heart felt emotion.

Our initiative for the elders that we are fondly calling our ancianos, has met a real need in San Antonio Palopo. The group consists of fifteen tiny women in their 70s and 80s that look forward immensely to the hotmeal provided on Fridays and an activity that follows. As we listen to their stories, often through tears, we begin to realize that this demographic group suffers deeply. The new generation of young families live in crowded spaces with many children and mounting expenses with no space or money left for the elders. In earlier years they would be part of the household. Yesterday I attended a first birthday celebration for the child of a single Mum, and later in the day the traditional wake around the coffin of Nicolasia, our anciana who sucumbed quickly to pnemonia. Such is the ebb and flow of life. Our excursion around the lake to San Lucas Toliman was a huge success and enjoyed by all the elders.

Another first this year has been the dental clinic. I have a number of speaking engagements lined up to procure funding for the mobile unit which we realize is essential to aid these communities. The dental work linked with dental education will continue to make a big difference in the general health of those who cannot afford the service and are unaware of the importance of oral hygiene. It was a learning experiece to work with Dr. Juan Jose (John Snively) as I held the patients and he pulled the teeth under some very primitive conditions. We were able to present dental hygiene classes in all the classrooms in town and to many women's groups. This is the way to improve the dental health of the communities in the future.

In all these projects we are honoured to have young Mayan leaders doing an excellent job.

Saying Goodbye to Freddy - Linda's experience in San Antonio Palopo.

2011-03-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hola everyone, I am home now from my trip to Guatemala and want to share some of my experiences while they are fresh.

San Antonio Palapo is such a different world. The village is built on a steep slope, rising up from the lakeshore. A narrow road brings you to the centre of town, near the small white Church, and the Mercado. The rest of the "streets" are steep paths and steps between the jumble of adobe and cement block buildings which seems to defy any building codes or town planning. The air feels thin up at 5000 feet, as you hike up and down the paths, visiting families. The poverty is shocking- in your face - overwhelming. Many homes have dirt floors, no bathrooms, no furniture, and open hearth fires which blacken the walls and the lungs of those cooking over the thick smoke. Yet every house seems to have a million dollar view of the shimmering lake with three volcanoes standing guard. I love watching these mountains form little cloud sombreros, as the heat rises in the morning light.

The Social Centre is a hub of activity in the village with programs for all ages. I played games with the kids; laughed and ate hot soup with a group of tiny elderly women; watched a group of brave women learning to read and write for the first time. We started this centre a year ago and over 200 participants are attending programs. There is so much potential here to make a positive impact on this community, which faces multiple challenges with so few resources.

There are some families that I have come to know over the past 3 years and I enjoy visiting with them. I am humbled by their endurance and by their grace. They continue to be very poor. But their warmth and friendliness is so genuine. When I arrive, someone always brings a plastic stool for me to sit on, while everyone else sits on the dirt floor or stands. Now, it is time to say goodbye. As I walk away, Freddy calls "Buen viaje" . I turn and see this young boy looking at me wistfully, with the seat of his jeans hanging together by a thread. "Gracias Freddy, Adios".

Linda Woodward Stanton

Mari Cruz has a dream ...

2011-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Mari Cruz was inspired when she visited the Social Centre in San Antonio Palopo last year, and had the idea to bring the same model to her community. Here is her story:
Hello, my name is Mari Cruz Arenales, an indigenous woman; I like to help the women in my small town, La Cruz San Lucas Toliman. For the last two years I have been a volunteer leader teaching health and social awareness classes to mothers. I present educational talks to the women in my sector of the town. They are very poor and live in small shacks in the coffee plantation. I help to measure and weigh the children and examine their nutritional health. All my work is volunteer. On Sunday in the Central Market I sell small items in order to obtain sufficient money to support my young daughter.

When Jacqueline came two years ago, she brought new life and hope for me, and my life has changed. Her group is very special and has helped for the last two years in projects with energy efficient stoves and work that benefits my community. The classes in health and nutrition and the smoke-free stoves have prevented respiratory illnesses and eye infections and brought better health. I am very comfortable to be able to help her, my leader, and to change the lives of the poor of my neighbourhood.

Also I have a grand dream ... I would like to start a centre of social work for the women here as their leader. I would like all of the women of the world to be able to live with gratitude. I thank Jacqueline for helping me to realize my dream for now and the future. I want to give friendship and many thanks to the group for the donations of 20 stoves this year and 20 stoves in 2010.

I am 30 years old with one child. I am Mari Cruz Arenales.
---------------------------------------------------------

Jacqueline translated Mari Cruz's story.

Kids, Dirt and Enthusiasm - a Photo Essay by Linda

2011-03-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

The kids taking part in the Saturday morning program in the Social centre want to grow gardens. However land is at a premium in this densely populated village where the tiny casas are stacked almost on top of one another, up the mountain slope.

So Margaret and I and Felipa from the Social Centre went with 25 kids to collect some clean dirt. First, the kids all went home to collect plastic bags, sacks or buckets and then we headed out of the village on a dirt road which skirts along the lake.

Behind the ceramic workshop, up a steep path, was a pile of soil where everyone enthusiastically filled their containers and scrambled and slid down the hill to the road and back to the village.

Once back at the centre, we gave each child a small plastic bag, the kind used by nurseries to grow seedlings. They collected small stones to provide drainage in the bottom of the bags, and loved getting muddy while stirring water into the dirt until it was nice and moist.

Everyone took great care to transplant their seedlings of beans and cucumbers and took them home to look after them until the garden space is readied at the school. It was such a fun time, full of enthusiasm and hope.

Linda Woodward Stanton

Some Project Pics from Felipa

2011-02-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

A picture for Kathy (by Nelson)

Linda helps the women try on donated glasses.

Margarita is tracing feet in preparation for buying new shoes


Jacqueline hands out sets of pots to a stove recipient.


Jacqueline is gifted a new huipil by the stove recipients.

Such Beauty, Such Heatbreak - from Linda Woodward Stanton in San Antonio Palopo

2011-02-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

I took a break this afternoon and walked past the washed out road caused by the landslides in September - up the hill that leads to the Ceramic workshop. I bought some lovely little bowls with beautiful fish painted inside each one. As I left to walk back to the hotel, I heard Hola Linda being called out. I turned, and there was Francisca and her daughter and little boys walking back into town with huge loads of wood sticks on their heads. The boys had bare feet and were using head straps - the wood hung down to their ankles. The women just balanced the huge piles on their heads. They cannot afford to buy wood, so they had picked up cut branches from the roadside. They were hot and tired, yet remained cheerful and pleasant to me. I felt so sad to think of the fun we had together yesterday and realized what a happy diversion it must have been from the grinding poverty they live with every day. They had the electricity connected today so at least they will have some light tonight. I said goodbye and walked home as the most magnificent sunset that I have ever seen changed colours behind the volcanoes. This is such a place of contrast; I feel very priviledged to experience all of it ... the beauty, and the heartbreak.

Donations needed for our Dental Health and Education program

2011-02-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

There is a great need for Dental Health improvement in San Antonio Palopo. Some of you who have read the blog post below from Dr. John Snively have expressed that you would like to donate to Dentistry specifically. As described by Dr. John: "We regularly see young children, age 3 and younger with all teeth decayed to the gumline. We have a very rudimentary set up - no drills, chair, light, water or suction." If you want to make sure your donation goes to a specific initiative (e.g., dental health or education), here's how:

To donate by cheque, make out your cheque to ICO Foundation, and on the memo line write specific instructions, including the village name (San Antonio Palopo). Send the cheque to:
ICO Foundation, Box 8300, Stn. Central, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8W 3R9.

To donate online, go to the ICO website:
(http://www.innovativecommunities.org). When you select the fund/designation, choose San Antonio - Education/Community. In the Message/instructions box, write a comment about where you want your money to go. We'll make sure it gets there!

Dental Update from Juan Jose (Dr. John Snively)

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

I wanted to bring you up to date on the dental service as we are currently able to provide it. In addition I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to those of you who have offered financial support to this most valuable project. It is a well known fact down here that, unlike the norm in North America, someone can die from a dental infection, yet the ignorance of such basic knowledge continues throughout rural Guatemala. Through my work as a "biological" dentist I understand the powerful impact of the dental component on whole health.

Click here to view photos of the Dental Project

Early on in my career I worked as an itinerant dentist in the Canadian Arctic, flying into remote Inuit settlements with portable equipment, but never have I seen such widespread infection, loss of teeth and unavailability of both service and education. We are truly overwhelmed by the need. We are working in very primitive conditions.

This photo shows you the "Sterilization Centre" in the village Health Clinic where we have been graciously provided the use of the Doctor's office for our days in the clinic. That's an ancient aluminum pressure cooker atop a gas range! A single sterilization cycle requires almost 1 hour, not to mention constant monitoring to prevent it from "blowing up". Understandably, we are called up to perform primary surgical service through extractions; some cases are very challenging with deep and widespread infections. We see mostly women and children as men are working in the fields or elsewhere. We regularly see young children, age 3 and younger with all teeth decayed to the gumline. It's so tragic! We have a very rudimentary set up, no drills, chair, light, water or suction, so we go through a ton of gauze during/after surgery. We hope to somehow fundraise for a basic and simple dental treatment centre that can provide more services including an ongoing "basic cleaning" and education centre by training a local young woman to provide these services in our absence. There is also the potential of attracting other foreign dentists to come and provide service if a clinic is available.

The key is, of course, "Education", for one cannot take responsibility without being properly informed. Toward this end we have begun offering classes to groups of women in several villages, and soon will be doing dental health education presentations through the local school. It is so gratifying to see the light go on in their eyes through our presentations.We are feeling both inspired and compelled as the need is obvious as is the gratitude of the indigenous people. What a gift in both directions!

I would like to personally thank all those who have contributed to this, our first dental service visit. In particular, the Nelson morning Rotary Club, whose generous donation of a "Dental Pack" through HPI contained sundries without which none of this would be possible. In addition, monies were made available through the scarf sales to purchase additional surgical instruments. Thanks to you as well. And to all of you who are supporting us with your prayers, I am truly grateful. My heart continues to open in the most magical ways here, and all of you reading this are "making an enormous difference" simply by sending your love.

Mil gracias

Juan Jose

Progress in San Antonio Palopo: New volunteers arrive to meet the challenge

2011-02-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

I am so delighted to introduce our newly arrived team of volunteers. How easy it is to fall in love with the people here and quickly find yourself involved in an intensive project. This lively team from British Columbia, Canada, is involved in some exciting new efforts that truly make a difference.

Greg Lawrence (above) from Nelson BC, was warmly greeted by Mari Cruz, our stove rep in La Cruz. His reputation as stove installer, photographer and his friendly nature is well respected and remembered from the year before. This year we have 110 more stoves to monitor in three communities. He is taking a critical look at the temporary school and taking action to make necessary improvements. His objective view on the disaster is most helpful.

Greg's wife, Marilyn Lawrence (below), a skilled teacher and Rotarian from Nelson, BC, is presenting helpful and innovative teaching methods for our social centre's teachers to observe. She is working with groups from 3-13 years of age. Her creative presence and ideas have the centre alive with colorful visuals and learning toys. In the evenings people will benefit from her English classes. Her passion for these needy people touches my heart.

Dr. John Snively (below), from the Oak Bay Rotary Club in Victoria BC, has been here for a month presenting the dental initiative.

Long line ups appeared outside the health center with people wanting to have their teeth pulled. The need is so great as little or no service or education has ever been offered. I had my first opportunity to take a look at some of these amazing mouths and was shocked to the core by the negative effect of overuse of sugar/junk food and lack of dental education. In March every classroom will receive dental hygiene/health instruction by John and Carmen (photo with John, above), an indigenous hygienist in training. He is truly dedicated to addressing cause/prevention while he is here.

Bob Hargreaves (above), also a Rotarian from Nelson, has already made an impact with his managerial skills in getting clear estimates from local welders, along with input from the mayor, for the construction of a playground. There are over 1000 children here without a dedicated place to play.

Bob's wife, Cathy Hargreaves (above) is organizing a group of women from the poorest barrio of Chocruz to be instructed in sewing on the two newly donated machines in the centre. There is real enthusiasm here.

From this you will begin to see the wonderful contribution we can make as we share our various gifts. I am looking forward to Friday when we greet our first group of widows for the hot lunch and conversation weekly initiative. Due to crowded conditions of space and time these are the most marginalized and needy group, according to Santo, the mayor.

There is much I have left out but I would have to say my greatest delight comes in visiting the homes and spending time with the families. They have so little but are so generous; they welcome us in with open hearts and pride. I have come to love so many of the people here over the years and our presence is deeply appreciated. Truly our experience here gives back to us far more than we can ever provide for them.

Jacqueline

Images from John Snively in San Antonio Palopo

2011-02-05T21:51:00.000-08:00

Click here to view a selection of recent photos showing the casita in San Antonio Palopo where some of the volunteers are staying, as well as scenes from La Cruz across the lake where they held a dental/nutrition presentation to Onil stove recipients. John's day in the dental clinic, followed by their visiting homes in San Antonio Palopo to qualify families in need, and then winding up at the casita with 4 fellow Rotarians (from Nelson, British Columbia) to view a beautiful sunset was a day to remember.

Jacqueline and John arrive in San Antonio Palopo

2011-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

A new team has arrived in San Antonio Palopo providing a transition from all the wonderful work Kathy has achieved over the last three months. The 2011 initiative will provide energy efficient stoves, much needed medicines, support for our vibrant Social Center, donations of school supplies and repairs to the temporary school to provide a safe and healthy environment for the 450 young children. Dr. John Snively (below) is new on the team this year as the first community dentist, providing already some excellent groundwork for this initiative, and bringing promise and hope for many.

Consumable products are necessary for the volunteer dentist to begin his work, and ample medicines are needed to fill the empty shelves in the local clinic for 10,000 people. All our preliminary paper work was approved, my volunteer secretary spoke personally with the wife of President Colom, we had an interview in the palacio, but the medicines remain in customs after two weeks. Still, I do not give up hope. I found a female doctor in the clinic today willing to be persistent on the case, the mayor has volunteered to take a full day to drive to the capital and get the last permit from the Minister of Health, and then go to the airport four hours away. Positive thinking, good responses, but still no medicines. These medicines are a sizable gift for Guatemala, consisting of $10,000 in medicines selected by the town and a large amount in dental consumables and anaesthetics. We have partnered with the established organization of Health Partners International which covers the bulk of the cost of supplies, and with the generous help of Nelson Daybreak Rotary and ICO Foundation. Who knows, maybe tomorrow, or next week, it will happen and you will be the first to know! Such is the style of Guatemala. It is here we learn the lesson of patience. [UPDATE:
Yesterday, January 26, was a happy ending to a difficult three weeks of correspondence from SOSEP. Luis Ruiz, the First Lady's secretary called the aduana to advise them to give us a break. Although it took over two hours the meds were released for $120 US. This is wonderful as all the transports were done with no charge.]

Arriving back after a years absence from this once idyllic village is a journey to a very different reality. A pervading sadness lingers over the community. I am pulled aside constantly in the village for the dear

residents who, each in turn, share their story of the disasters that occurred in 2010. So many have lost loved ones in the mudslides, many are still digging out or living in temporary accommodation. The economy is at an all time low, and the picturesque village is now a sea of rubble and dust. Roads are barely passable but life must go on, so we are here to bring smiles, listen carefully and assist wherever we can within our limitations.

Kathy's presence in the community has been so very well received over the last three months. Despite her injured knee (that resulted from too many ascents up the steep mountain paths of the ever expanding village) she managed to bring an excellent program together, present more opportunities to develop young leadership in the town, giving greater confidence for all concerned.

Everything takes longer than expected here. Banking should be simple but it took us three hours and three banks to finally cash a money order even though we have established accounts.

Today was delightful as Dr. John (Juan José) accompanied me for the first time up and around the mountain paths of the town. During this one full morning we were invited into many small casitas all ravaged by the storms, but making the best of what they have with their incredible resilience, so strong to their character. I was offered two more babies to become the madrina, which regretfully I must pass on to some other loving arms as I already have 25 godchildren. We were gifted weavings, told many stories that required compassionate listening, and were able to promise stoves to seven needy families and place orders for some of their beautiful weavings. A day of smiles for all of us.

Back to our shared Casita, a kilometre away, for a short rest on the hammock overlooking the lake, and then more appointments beginning at four when the sun is less aggressive. John and I were taken aback by the very poor condition of the teeth of both children and adults. There has been no dental education and therefore no brushing, combined with a generous amount of sugar to balance the somewhat bland repetitive diet of the very poor. The results are damaging indeed. Many children have already got missing or rotten teeth. We have selected a wonderful young village girl, Carmen, who will be trained by John in this work. The public clinic has opened the opportunity for exclusive use of one of the rooms in the building for our dental project. There is a very great need indeed. John will use a table to examine patients, pull teeth and clean. It will be a challenge, but if anyone can make it happen he will indeed. At least we have access to running water and soon the consumable supplies will be let out of customs. This is only the beginning of something good and beneficial for the children.

Today marks our first week on this project. We are so blessed to be here and have the resources to make a difference, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to be apart of this endeavour. We look forward to the arrival of two Rotary couples who will be here in February to help with the stoves and in painting the clinic and school rooms.

Jacqueline Mealing

Kathy's Last Hurrah!

2011-01-21T01:08:00.000-08:00

January 17, 2011: Greetings/Saludos and a belated Feliz Año Nuevo to all.

It is the eve of my departure and who knows where the last month went. Everyone here says it is cold (and the nights are chilly) but I only have to think about returning to Canada and how much I will miss the heat of the day here, the lovely blue skies and the vista of volcanoes, blue lake, wonderful cloud formations, sunsets, etc. Never mind all that – I have much to look forward to upon my return!

Three days ago Jacqueline Mealing, an experienced hand here, and John Snively, a retired dentist from Victoria arrived and will be here for a couple of months. We have been busy making the transition and talking about what initiatives will come next.

And now I will catch you up on a month’s worth of activities (more or less!). Happily the stove team in Santa Catarina finished their installations quickly giving us time to meet with recipients in both villages; with much fanfare we gave each family a set of pots to use on their new stoves, and everyone expressed their gratitude to all of you.

The last few weeks have been really focused on determining scholarship recipients - assessing need and ability. Not an easy choice and not a very scientific process! I relied to a great extent on the gals working in the Centro Qawinaq. I believe I mentioned that one of our students from last year appeared to be very pregnant in November; she wasn´t being very communicative about it so I thought that there was no possibility of her carrying on in school, at least for a while. However, she gave birth just around Christmas and unfortunately due to complications and the ambulance not coming, the baby died. A while later she phoned me and asked if she could continue so I invited her to come over to talk about it….. and ended up agreeing that we could support her in her last year. She´s a good student and says she´s learned a lot from her experience. In a year’s time she will be able to work and help support her family.

We are also supporting 4 middle school students with typing/computer classes, uniforms and school supplies; 4 high school students with tuition, uniforms and school supplies as well as giving about 12 primary students some school supplies. It is a mere drop in the bucket of need but Jacqueline will be working with the school directors to see what other ways we can help.

Meanwhile the classrooms of the temporary school now all have metal supply shelves, windows, doors and padlocks. A small space in the main building has been transformed into a library with new wooden shelves. There remains one window to do which was forgotten because it is in between classrooms and the two windows that face the street need ‘balcones’ which translates as bars that will prevent anyone from breaking in (though not necessarily from breaking glass). The director of the school, Odilio, is so pleased with everything that one classroom will be named after ICO!

School starts on the 17^th and last week the Papeleria in Panajachel, where we buy a lot of supplies for the students, reminded me of bookselling days the week before Christmas. What a zoo.

The Centro Qawinak now has an expanded board of directors as of last week. It’s a pretty dynamic group of mostly young people. The program for the next few months has been planned and includes one morning a week for 3- to 5-year-olds, 4 to 5 afternoons with groups of women (Spanish, cooking, needlework etc.), Saturdays with 2 groups of older children doing a variety of activities, educational and otherwise. There are also computer classes organized by the Centro but taught by volunteers in the community. In March the K´aslem Mandala environmental education team will start a 3 month program, part of it with children, and part of it with women. I have wanted to partner with them for a couple of years now and finally it is happening. At the moment we are in negotiation, designing a program and a price. Also the Asociación Xocomil will be giving classes for youth on the responsibilities of parenting, sex education, and I´m not sure what else. Already 20 are signed up.

And Jacqueline has many plans to work with groups of women in the Centro while she is here.

Last Wednesday was HackySacky Day at the Centro. A huge group of kids from 4 to 14 years old came in the morning and there were hackysacks flying all over the place. The afternoon group was much smaller, calmer! Fidel, the fellow from Panajachel (not San Pedro), who came to teach the kids was having a great time just playing, having never taught before. And the kids learned. The hacky sacks were all beautiful colours, made right in town here. Fidel picked 4 out of the whole group who had really mastered the juggling of two hacky sackys and out of the four, three were girls. A surprise to me because often they are too shy (and several were) but these gals were very focused! The prize was a third hackysacky. Felipa, our coordinator, will invite them all back one day with their hackysackys to see how the juggling is progressing! Everyone had fun and I actually learned to juggle 2 balls.

In the last few days Sandi Chamberlain from Victoria visited for a week and made herself most useful with some of the finer details. I have been busy sorting out money from different accounts, things I brought down or purchased here – deciding where they should go, collecting receipts, parceling out school supplies, and feeling wistful about leaving. A parade of parents, kids, and friends have been coming to my door either with needs or to say good-bye and thanks to me and everyone in Canada who has helped the village.

So that is the end of this chapter. My intention to write in the blog every couple of days still remains unfulfilled – perhaps Jacqueline will do a better job!

Once again I am so grateful to you all for making the work here possible. I am constantly telling the people about the wonderful Canadians who are supporting our initiatives here. And as they would say ‘Que Dios les Bendiga’

Con cariños,

Kathy

Stove Distribution

2010-12-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

November 25, 2010 – December 12, 2010

Greetings again! This is Saint Catherine’s Day and therefore a big Fiesta and procession in Santa Catarina. I was invited for a midday meal by Rodolfo who helps with our stove project there and has a very empty house right on the main street which he doesn’t live in (yet). The traditional soup called Pulique was served, this time with just one piece of chicken and no pieces of vegetable. But very tasty. I ate this meal with 3 men and we talked about religion and the state of the world but mainly Guatemala. And the rest of the family ate in their house way up high in the village, where I couldn’t go because of my knee (good excuse, it’s a hell of a climb)! I have also had an invitation for a good old US Thanksgiving dinner tonight….. or some variation of it.

Two days ago we had the stove recipient’s meeting for women in the afternoon. We used the main room in the Centro Qa Winak and it was full, the children could play in the outer room with books and puzzles. It went well and nearly all the women took pamphlets on birth control with them on the way out! I had a long chat with Juana, a widow whom we helped last year by buying materials to build her and her 5 young children a home. In return she was weaving small table cloths for us that we could sell in Canada. It seemed like such a brilliant idea last April…… Her house and all the things she wove, and wove with, were destroyed in the September mudslide…….. She brought me pictures, the whole family compound was wiped out She wants to start weaving again so I will lend her enough to buy threads and then buy some of her weaving.

In the evening, the men´s meeting was held - the first one of its kind that we have initiated; attendance was low but a good start. A woman from an organization in Solola called Asociacion Xocomil came to facilitate and she did a marvelous job and got the men interacting, studying pictures depicting family situations (above), writing what they thought and felt about them and then presenting that to the rest of the group.

The following Tuesday we had similar meetings in Santa Catarina but only half the women showed up (even though this time we wrote the schedule down and gave it to them) which meant we had to schedule another day………. And some women who ‘forgot’ about the meeting in San Antonio were given a second opportunity to come to Santa Catarina (there were 5). Between the two meetings all the women appeared…… we are fairly strict about the need for them to do this part….. or to send someone in their place. The men’s attendance was much poorer than in San Antonio…… only 3. We shall just have to keep working on this. Many have voiced that they would like it if the Xocomil organization came regularly and worked with young people…. Something our Centro could probably organize.

The 4^th of December the normal activity with children in the Centro Qa Winak´ was cancelled because a group of 3 psychology students, Guatemalan women (non indigenous) who have gone back to school and are just finishing up came to the Centro for the fifth time since the Agatha disaster. They have been teaching a group of people including those working in the Centro, techniques for healing trauma and helping folks to help themselves. Part of what they are teaching was a rather amazing parallel to what we do at home, using Circle principles, a candle to begin, each person getting to say something, honouring the 4 directions and traditional Mayan ways. As well as a lot that I was taught in Capacitar training.

That was followed by the women´s group learning how to make empanadas! They sure worked that dough to death!

In the meantime there has been a lot of organizing. First, for the stove demonstration for the installers from both villages. We have 3 new members of the 4-member team here in San Antonio. And 3 people came from Santa Catarina. Scheduled for 2pm, it started about 3:30 when the last 2 from SCP arrived. We had to quit by 5:15 because some had other commitments……. So we never got to try cooking tortillas. Something new this year from HELPS International is a one-year guarantee for each stove.

Our scholarship student from Santa Catarina is on that team (as well as her Mum)……. However she looks suspiciously pregnant. After the demonstration I decided that I just had to ask and she said no that she had just gained a lot of weight during her first year of high school! I must say I am not sure what to think… it poses a bit of a dilemma!

And then next, the stove deliveries. (See photo at top). And the delivery of the concrete blocs. We changed the location of delivery in SAP to the dust bowl down by the docks as there wasn’t really enough room above in front of the market. Because we would be right next to the place we buy the concrete blocs I got a little indefinite about the delivery time – thinking we could just say: now, please. However their truck was otherwise occupied for much of the time and it was touch and go whether or not they would arrive before the stoves…….. Aaahhh, the stoves. They were going to be picked up by the Municipality, scheduled to arrive at 2pm but didn’t arrive until just after 5pm. So we JUST managed to get the blocs all dispersed before the stoves came. It was a long 3 hours and everyone was quite patient. I am not sure what happened except that there was a long wait to load them at the factory and then there was construction on the road.

The delivery itself is hard for me to describe because it gets so chaotic I can barely handle it. I don’t speak Kaqchikel and because most of the women speak little Spanish they don’t even bother to listen to me as I try to create some order (HA). I find the women here are only interested in getting the parts of their own particular stove, not in helping with distribution per se. So this time I disappeared behind the truck for a while and just let it happen – best thing to do, it turned out just right and the stove team handled it really well. I left them just after it got dark and the women were just in the process of signing for their stoves and carrying them home with the help of family members, picops, whatever it took. The stove team came to the hotel about 7:30 and I asked Manuela to make empanadas for all. It was a beautiful day and there is such a feeling of satisfaction when it is over!

The day after that I went into Panajachel to a little hospitalito and had an injection of an anti-inflammatory for my knee and was told to stay off it! Which I did except for the next afternoon when there was the stove delivery in Santa Catarina in the afternoon! And what a contrast that was; the concrete blocs were distributed in the morning! And only 40 stoves, for one thing, and they arrived EARLY, before the scheduled 2pm time! There was time to get things going before a lot of folks arrived and when they did it was amazingly orderly. There were enough men to get the heaviest pieces distributed (we make piles of complete stoves) and all the rest – chimneys, fire bricks, tubos, ladrillas, estantes, ganchos, planchas, codos etc – I know their names better in Spanish than in English – were distributed to all by women and children and then the women waited patiently in line to get the ‘arena’ or pumice-like sand that is used inside the stove for insulation. Each woman signed (most using thumb prints) for her stove and carried it off and suddenly the square was empty. Our scholarship student and her Mum did not show up and luckily Rodolfo was able to find a couple of others to help out. Afterwards, one thankful woman brought us each a cold drink so we just sat and talked over how it went, in the cool of the late afternoon, again feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

Afterwards, I went to a rather nice hotel for an early supper since I had had no lunch. I was there a week or so ago for supper and as they are not very busy the waiter, remembering me, just went and got the pillows I needed to rest my leg!! I had a lovely pasta primavera as the sun was going down and then caught a picop back to San Antonio Palopo. The driver, another Rodolfo, happened to be a young fellow I wanted to talk to about translating for some of the team coming down in January/February who aren’t awfully fluent in Spanish. He is one of the very few who speaks English well, and speaks Spanish and Kaqchikel too. The work he does is flexible so he said he would be delighted. There is a very busy woman named Rosario, an old time friend of our group who also speaks all three languages and will be available some of the time.

The other day when I took a picop to Panajachel I got talking with Mateo the driver (since my knee injury I tend to sit in front whenever I can). He makes hackysacks. A while ago I was actually thinking about hackysacks – I’ve never seen anyone use one here and I think most of them (in the world) are made around this lake (no research done on that!) And I was thinking it would be a great kid activity and it doesn’t need a ball field. So I asked him if he knew how to use them, either juggling (hand motions used to describe this) or kicking them (whatever that is called). No, but he has a friend in San Pedro who does, who would probably love to come over to teach kids. So, perhaps we can get that happening through the Centro.

Today is Sunday the 12^th of December. I stayed put all day and was visited by 5 little boys who wanted to draw and colour. I had just received an electronic Christmas card from a friend (thanks Cheryl) so decided to show it to them and they were enchanted - we watched it at least 20 times and 3 of them decided to draw the scene. And the biggest surprise was just a bit after dark fell (6ish here), while I was eating my dinner. The stove team arrived to leave all the tools for installing the stoves! They had just finished their last one and it only took them 3 days. Such fine hard workers. Now I can pass the tools on to the Santa Catarina team tomorrow.

In amongst all the big events there are myriad smaller ones, impossible to keep track of! Such as December 7^th when the devil gets burned – be it an effigy or just some garbage – to clear the way for the Christmas celebrations. (Lots of firecrackers). And yesterday there were 2 great fireworks displays as well as lots of firecrackers and bombas, to celebrate the construction and decoration of the village Christmas tree. I think that next weekend the Posadas will begin. The turkey down in the garden is getting fat. The weather is much colder at night and there is lots of wind -- it´s howling as I write! It was -2C in Quetzaltenango..... frost on the cars.

And I want to wish you all the best for the Season and a warm and wonderful Solstice. There is still time to give a gift by making that all-important donation to the work being done here – stoves, school supplies, scholarships, urgent relief and our Centro Qa Winak´. Every little bit helps. You are making a huge difference to these villages.

With heartfelt thanks,

Kathy

Stoves, Scarves, Schools and Survivors: More from Kathy in San Antonio Palopó

2010-11-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

November 6-21, 2010

Good news that comes from one of our team in Victoria: Miguel Granados, Director of Productos ONIL at HELPS, confirms that by replacing an open hearth fire with an ONIL stove we are saving 3.4 tonnes of emissions per year from entering the atmosphere. In terms of carbon offsets it is at least two return flights to Guatemala! And I will add in terms of health it is saving lives and suffering from dreadful illnesses.

Greetings all,

Lots of catching up to do. I got a little distracted when friends (Melanie and Michael) arrived in Antigua to celebrate my birthday!

To pick up where I left off:

While I was in Antigua I managed to do not only the Stove Fair, with a large amiable group of Rotarians from Oregon and California, but I went to the offices of WINGS/ALAS (www.wingsguate.org) to find out what information they have regarding reproductive health and family planning and what tools they might share for teaching it. We ask every one of our stove recipients to come to a meeting that includes this subject as well as nutrition, health and hygiene. WINGS is a gold mine and they have an educator that will come for one of our sessions. This year we will also have a program for men in each village and are in the process of organizing that. I have no idea what the outcome (meaning attendance) will be.

Women demonstrate the Ecocina Stove

The Ecocina stove looks good. It is smaller, very portable and is less costly, seems to do the same job as the Onil although I don’t know if it saves as much wood or reduces the carbon output as much. Research to be done. The day was fun, began with breakfast at Fernando’s and getting to know a few people. Then a few hours at the factory, including a traditional dance performed by local children, women selling their woven products, a tour of the factory and a demonstration of how the stoves are built. One good thing is that in reality they can’t be tampered with or altered (unlike the ONIL with which there is a tendency to enlarge the opening of the fire box in order to put in larger pieces of wood and get a bigger fire going – which can crack the concrete and if used correctly really isn’t necessary). After this we were transported to a restaurant that fed us Mexican food and then to the main square where the stoves were being set up, lit and eventually women were cooking pupusas (a filled tortilla specialty from El Salvador) on them. And there were some folks interested in the stove itself but it seemed that it was mostly our group in the square for a long time. All in all it was an informative day, albeit long.

Two days in Antigua was very pleasant but enough, so I returned to San Antonio with my friends in tow. And during the week they were here I got some work done and they saw parts of it, and some of the surrounding villages around the Lake as well. They helped me buy scarves to ship back to Canada, had fun in the Bomberos’ market buying old huipiles and fabrics, visiting the market in San Lucas, breakfasting at the Hotel Toliman, picop and boat rides to different places like Santiago and Santa Cruz, all this while I was attached to my cell phone wherever we were so my ‘work’ could continue. We all went to a young gals high school graduation family gathering and were served the traditional Pulique.

Ambrosio with Mandala

Melanie (below) did a mandala drawing workshop with nearly 40 children in the Centro Qa Winak’ and started it with Capacitar exercises. The gals have now organized 2 more mornings for groups of children during the school vacation. All in all it was a lot of fun, more or less ending with a delightful walk up to the Catarata or waterfall, high up above this village on a very beautiful day.

There is still a lot of water coming over, more than I’ve ever seen before. The terrain was much changed since I was last there. That is true of many of the paths in the village too.

I went to a grade nine (Basico) graduation at the school (Instituto) as we had two scholarship students graduating and they wanted me to take pictures…… and the Director surprised me by asking me to get up on the stage and give them their diplomas!

As soon as Melanie and Michael left and I realized how much time had gone by, rapidly, I did something to my knee that basically has greatly limited my activities. It’s gone from canteloupe size to a large grapefruit, with rest and applications of vinegar or aloe, turmeric and traumeel (internally), and use of pressure points. Let me tell you it is a real handicap in terrain such as this. BUT the benefit is the stove groups are doing most of the work and I am not playing mountain goat as usual….. and they are getting much more accomplished more quickly than they would with me accompanying them. Also perhaps, this is the way it should be….. with them deciding and running the show with an ICO representative for oversight and asking the questions that are important to us.

Already the date for meetings with stove recipients had to be changed because of Santa Catarina´s Fiesta day Nov. 25 (St. Catherine´s Day) – nothing will get done for a few days on either side of that.

Two evenings ago, on my balcony, I met with a small group of 6 women weavers from the group that lost everything including family members, in the Agatha mudslide. We were trying to figure out a way to help them get back to work. The Hornby Island weavers gave a nice sum of money for women weavers affected by the disaster so this seems like a perfect fit. It was nice just sitting here with them, listening to them discuss things in Kaqchikel and then explain to me a bit of what they had said. Some spoke no Spanish. However, I think I have mentioned before, the pain and suffering is often almost palpable.

The next couple of weeks will be taken up with stove meetings, trainings, deliveries and installations; getting some computer classes running at one of the schools (part of our Centro Qa Winak’ program), upgrading the temporary school, checking up on scholarship students who don’t seem to be doing their volunteer service at the Centro, and spending more time with families and assessing needs, for future ideas in the Centro Qa Winak’.

Meanwhile the weather has been beautiful. There is a wee bit more activity on the tourist front in spite of the fact Americans (and maybe Canadians) have been warned not to come to Lake Atitlan for the next month because the main road from Solola is closed for major repair since the land slide and an older route (which involves fording a river where the bridge was washed out) is being used which ‘they’ say is very dangerous (meaning robberies). I have taken that route with no problem and Guatemalans are making sure it is safe. So, if you have plans to come don’t change them….. the Mayans need you and your business.

A couple of nights ago I was woken by a very loud and strange sound emanating from just outside my room. It turned out to be a Taquacin, 2 in fact, squabbling over something. I only saw the tail ends which looked hugely ratlike. Evidently they are marsupial, related to possums.

And for now you have read enough and enough has been written. Bless you for your interest. Hope you get to take advantage of scarf sales in Victoria, sounds like they will come in handy for the weather!

Warm regards from beautiful Guatemala,

Kathy

Christmas is Coming - consider these cards for your family and friends

2010-11-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

This Christmas season, instead of searching through the malls for the perfect gift, have you thought about giving an ICO gift card? Your family and friends will have the joy of knowing that money has been given in their names to buy a clean-burning stove, to help a child get an education, or to help a community move ahead. We're happy to send you a number of cards for one contribution. For example, if you want to send a donation to buy a stove ($110) we could send you 2 or 3 cards which you could send to different friends. Several families we know have decided to put in together to buy a stove, or to make a contribution to education, rather than to give presents to each other.

And a great benefit is that you will receive a tax receipt (Canada only) for your contribution.

For more information on how to receive these cards and make your donation, email susangage@innovativecommunities.org

These are samples of the cards that are available:

After the Mudslides with Kathy in San Antonio Palopó: Eating Alone, Kite Making and Flying, El Dia de los Difuntos, Scarf Buying, Cemetery Vigils, School Reconstruction and Stove Fairs.

2010-11-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

November 2, 2010

Hello all, time to catch up!

The last few days have been full of meetings and visits. I helped hand out threads and pots and pans to families who lost everything in the September slide last Friday. In the summer we raised money to buy looms and weaving equipment for the families who lost everything and this evening I will meet with a representative to see samples of what they have been weaving. Hopefully there has been some quality control so things are saleable.

Saturday I was invited by a family to their child’s First Communion (mainly so I could take pictures at the end!!). There were 98 children from 12 to 15 years old being confirmed. The children have been going to catechism classes for months and were quite prepared to answer the priest’s questions. He spent some time just joking with them too. I got quite dizzy from the heat and incense in the tightly packed, overflowing church so spent much of the time on the front steps watching the scene on the street! They invited me for lunch after this. A traditional dish called Puliq. It involves a tomato and chile ‘soup’ and a plate full of chicken and vegetables which you can eat separately or put in the soup. And a basket full of tamalitos cooked in corn husks -- mainly just masa with no flavouring. They are filling which is about all I can say about them! This meal was quite an experience, not new to me, but I’ll share it. I was given my meal to eat way ahead of the rest of the family, and they told me not to let it get cold. I was eating slowly thinking they would join me. One family member did sit and talk to me for a while before he got up and went into another room. Finally I was finished and decided to say my goodbyes and found them all sitting on the floor in the kitchen and another room, eating their meal. I joked that I liked socializing more than sitting by myself and next time I would join them!! Interesting traditions. At least I had a utensil to eat with (that doesn’t always happen, fingers are more common).

Sunday the Centre Qa Winak’ had a children’s program and about 25 children from ages 3 to 12 were making kites. They were quite wonderful, very engaged in cutting colourful tissue paper, gluing it onto the sticks they had tied together with string, making decorations and streamers to add to them and then attaching the necessary string that eventually would connect to the long line they would need to fly it! There were only 2 little boys who were acting up – they were quite a bit louder and running around – and of course they belonged to the coordinator!!

Monday, was All Saints Day. I went to visit a young gal at her house after breakfast, not realizing there would be more food at her house: the traditional elote and guiskil (corn on the cob and a green vegetable you won’t have seen unless you’ve been here)! Both tasty with salt and lime juice. This took me into a part of San Antonio I had noticed I was a little reluctant to visit, where the first mudslide took place. The pathways (there are no roads in this area except down by the lake) are now quite treacherous, homes are left hanging or partly disappeared, what used to be gardens have gone, where there were terraces planted with onions, trees growing, in a lovely valley, there is now just a huge gully of boulders and rocks and the remains of a bridge and pathways, vacant areas where houses had been.

I finally had to tell myself to think like a new visitor here, seeing all for the first time. Perhaps it wouldn’t seem so awful.

Today, Tuesday, is an unofficial holiday but it feels like Sunday! It is called El Dia de los Difuntos (Day of the deceased) here. EVERYONE has been out flying kites, large and small and all a bit different. I took pictures of them in the sky, they are like dots. But it was very festive and fun to watch mainly groups of boys and especially young men with huge homemade kites turning it into a contest to see whose kite lasted the longest….. there is great competition to ‘cut’ the other guy’s string. The wind was really good for this today.

Last evening I spent some time in the cemetery with much of the village. I went with Maria del Carmen, a young gal whose cousins, a family of four, were killed in the May mudslide. Everyone was sitting or standing near their deceased, in candlelight, with flowers, some in tears, some quietly communing with each other. And others, getting quite drunk! It smelled like someone was cooking hotdogs (for sale) too. Folks spent the night there; it was beautiful to look at from afar, as there were so many candles.

I ended my day (Tuesday) at a meeting at the Centre Qa Winak’, planning how to best employ our scholarship students who will be doing some community service, helping out with our groups of women and children. During the school holidays we will have more opportunities for children to come and do planned activities.

In the meantime I have been looking at some beautiful weaving, purchasing some scarves to send to Canada for Christmas sales. I met with Antonio at the weaving Cooperativa to get Global Village´s order expedited. Spoke with the Mayor about helping us by fetching ONIL stoves from the factory for us, so we don’t have to pay the freight. Celebrated the 6^th birthday of Manuelito, the youngest son of Manuela, the hotel owner. She made a chocolate cake that was quite hard (and she kept laughing about it, so we did too!). I went to Panajachel to do many errands and forgot my ATM card and just did whatever I could so the day was not completely wasted. Decided to ask for a bank draft to move ICO money from the Panajachel bank to a different one in San Antonio Palopó. The process took about an hour and ended up with the teller having to cut a piece of clear packing tape a bit longer than the draft and then covering the front of it with the tape so it couldn’t be tampered with, then trimming the ends. He was holding his breath that it would work, so as not to have to go through the whole process over again. Ohhhhhh what we take for granted!!!

Thursday, and nearly the end of this installment. From 1pm on it has been like a wild stormy mid- summer day on Vancouver Island. Lots of rain and wind. Loved it! But I don´t envy the people of the village whose fear level must have risen substantially during 4-5 hours of rain.

Before the weather changed, I had a long visit with the school director (of the condemned school) who has been working to maintain a school in less than ideal conditions (partly in the basement of an unfinished church – rather dungeon like). We raised money to help construct doors and windows, to put in more (energy-saving) lights, to build shelves for a bit of a library, to buy shelving for classrooms, and whatever else they need. I am now waiting for him to cost out the list and prioritize – in case we don´t have enough for everything. He is extremely dedicated to the children and their well-being and wants to get all the work done during this school vacation (October to mid January) so as not to cause any more interruptions during school time. He basically said this last year has been a nightmare.

Tomorrow I will go to Santa Catarina and meet with our stove team there… get them working. Saturday, after a couple of hours with children at Qa Winak´, I will go to Antigua for a couple of days because there is a Stove Fair and the Ecocina stove will be presented there --- we´ve been hearing a lot about it. It is supposed to be very efficient and have many of the benefits of the ONIL stove.

So, as you can see there is a lot happening here, too much to include without tiring you. But thanks for reading this far! It is great to know there is someone interested.

Abrazos, Kathy
To Contact Kathy: kpcoster[at]hotmail.com

Dispatches - CBC - Designing a Smokeless Stove

2010-10-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Smoke-related illness from cooking fires is killing over a million people a year. It is the second-biggest source of global warming, so it's also attracting some high-tech commercial interest.The quest just got a big boost from a sixty-million-dollar initiative recently announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Click on the heading to listen to CBC's Dispatches with Rick MacInnes-Rae where he interviews American journalist Burkhard Bilger, who's written about it in The New Yorker Magazine.

This fall the ICO team in San Antonio and Santa Catarina is gearing up to install 100 ONIL STOVES that are very efficiently burning 70% less wood than traditional open cooking fires and have chimneys to direct the smoke away from eyes and lungs. And more will be installed in the winter thanks to your generous donations for all or part of a $110 stove.

Kathy's second letter from San Antonio Palopo

2010-10-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 28

5 full days later. Little by little I am taking in all the damage done - the hardest being what I hear in people's voices as I listen to their mudslide stories, and what I see in their eyes. I've been out in a boat and counted up to 14 slides of varying sizes in the surrounding hills - just around San Antonio. Santa Catarina has fewer but there is one major one - pretty scary.

On the 'up' side is the work that was just beginning to take shape as I left in April last spring. We rented a space and hired 2 women. One nearly full time and one part time, and working along with a 'board of directors' they began a 'social centre' called Associacion Qa Winak' (nuestra gente or our people). The purpose was multifold. To work with women to help them improve their Spanish, to learn more about health, hygiene, family planning, raising children, self esteem, and the environment and to work with children in many different areas. Some just come for some caring recreation, activities and games often related to a particular theme, to do handwork like drawing and painting and to work with various materials. They are separated into 2 groups according to age, necessary because there are so many. And then there are young students who come on the weekends to study mathematics and learn better studying techniques. The women are really excited about the centre and have worked out some of the kinks. Felipa, who is working as coordinator, says it was a challenge for her to be in charge (Jefe) as she has always just worked for other people. Brenda is enjoying it so much she has volunteered well beyond the hours she's paid for. Felipa's husband Francisco is very involved on a volunteer basis. I will visit all the activities in the next 2 or 3 days. We had a short meeting last evening and discussed ideas for the next 2 months, I got much more detail about what they have been doing so far, and look forward to getting students we have sponsored involved during their holidays. Perhaps also expanding the children's program during this time. Saturday morning Brenda and a sponsored student volunteer, Maria del Carmen, are going to make kites with the children.... many of whom can't afford them.

Right now there are kites flying whenever the wind comes up in practice for Monday and Tuesday - All Saints Day and The Day of the Dead. It is just lovely to see them dancing in the sky. Evidently last year there was no wind on those days. It looks pretty good for this year!

And I must stop here and go visit some folks I haven't seen yet.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your incredible support.

Warm regards, Kathy

Letter from Kathy in San Antonio Palopó

2010-10-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Greetings to all,

I arrived in Guatemala on the 20^th and spent 3 nights in Antigua, recovering from an overnight flight and the tail end of a cold. The weather is lovely, quite hot in the daytime, cooling in the evening. Everything is green and comparatively dust free (usually I am here in our winter – the dry season, or summer, here). Today I made the trip to San Antonio Palopó.

Most of you know that Guatemala was hit by tropical storm Agatha last May and it apparently rained every day until the 4^th of September when there was an unusual deluge that lasted 18 hours. All this rain caused an awful lot of damage in the country. Today I first saw the highway damage where quite often 4 lanes were diverted into 2 lanes and there were incredible gouges and drop-offs or mountains of dirt piled up. Most credit it to bad engineering… where the roadway was cut into the mountainside the bank wasn't stepped but left sheer and the amount of rain finally made it give way. One good thing is that there wasn't much traffic. And right now it is dry although I do hear there is another storm coming.

Once we got to Sololá the descent into Panajachel turned into a one-way road where enormous boulders had fallen at one sharp corner near a waterfall. In Panajachel when we crossed the river on our way to San Antonio, there were many buildings in odd positions and the road surface was deplorable. All the way there were areas that were obviously washouts but have been cleaned up somewhat. More huge boulders, piles of dirt, mudslides, etc. Occasionally, where there had been streams coming down the mountainside to the lake there are now huge boulder-strewn gullies. All very disconcertingly different from last April when I left. The vegetation is so verdant and lush right now that it made the road seem much narrower!

Finally I arrived in San Antonio and it felt like the tide had come in! The lake is about 7 to 8 feet higher. It is odd to hear it lapping so close to the road and the hotel. San Antonio was perhaps the hardest hit village in Guatemala with 2 mudslides that damaged many homes, commercial buildings, roads, footpaths, waterlines, electric lines, and drainage pipes. Even the new little sports field that the schools were using has been reclaimed by the lake. I am trying to take it in bit by bit. Furthermore, people are living in fear of more of the mountain coming down. It is a very changed place that is trying to get back to normal. There are no tourists. The Lake is still beautiful, although the algae is beginning to come back, I´ve been told, though this is not evident right here.

After dark tonight I walked around the village and was warmly greeted by a few people I know; so wonderful to see them safe. Shelter Box is much in evidence with their grey tents dotting the hillside.

I have a feeling my time here is going to be very full.

Scarves for Survival

2010-10-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

Here's where you can buy these beautiful handwoven scarves shown below - they make perfect Christmas gifts:

Crystal Singers Craft Fair - Sat., November 13, 1 - 3 pm, St. Peters Anglican Church Hall (off Quadra Street) in Victoria BC

Just Christmas Fair – Sun., November 21, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, St. Aidan's United Church (near the corner of Richmond and Cedar Hill X Road) in Victoria

VIDEA Fair Trade Fair - Sat., November 27, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, First Metropolitan United Church Hall, 932 Balmoral Road off Quadra, in Victoria.

Scarf labelling

2010-10-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

The ICO Atitlán group banded together in Victoria this week to label and price the scarves hand woven in communities around Lake Atitlán. The sale of these scarves will help the villagers of San Antonio and Santa Catarina recover from the devastating mudslides.

Above: Susan, Jacqueline, Kathy and Linda at work on the tagging. Mary arrived to help a little later.

Photos by the newest member of the team, Tricia.

News from the Cooperative in San Antonio Palopo

2010-09-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

Antonio Pérez Pérez, Gerente de la Cooperativa, San Antonio Palopó R.L., writes that the weaving cooperative, with 142 members from the village, has suffered extensive damage. Many of the members have had their homes damaged or destroyed as well. Below are some of Antonio's photos:

In the Thick of It: experiencing the latest mudslides in San Antonio Palopo, Lake Atitlan, by Thomas Zieffle

2010-09-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Thomas Zeiffle is a Canadian from Alberta who, several years ago, travelled to San Antonio Palopó on beautiful Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Thomas married a lovely Mayan woman named Francisca and has become a Friend of ICO. In this capacity he has been coordinating the relief funds we have sent down, working with the local municipal government and other community members. He has updated us regularly on the situation.

Well, folks, I guess it has started again. At about 1:30 AM (Saturday morning) of the 7th of September, I heard and then watched the slide that roared through the centre of San Antonio Palopo. When people talk about hearing a freight train, it is actually quite accurate. Just add in the resounding crack of huge rocks colliding and you have it. This was the culmination of over 18 hours of steady rain; sometimes hard downpour or medium to hard rain. This, of course was on top of the already saturated land from the months of almost steady rain before. At about 10:00 PM, announcements from the municipality officials warned people to get to safe places: the church and the community market were suggested. Some small indicators of an imminent slide were noticed up the mountain, mostly small mud movement and the odd rock being dislodged. So, out we went. Francisca chose to go to the market, and then the church. I went to her mother's place behind the church, a little house I fixed up quite comfortably. Over the next several hours, we heard slides which were of little consequence as they were on established slide areas. At about 1:35 in the morning, I was watching the mountain side, a little tough to do in the dark, when I heard the cracking and rumbling of a major slide. By training our flashlight on the sound, we could see the spume rising as it came crashing down. Naturally, I was QUITE interested as it was obviously close to our house, but we couldn't tell for sure. Then, the sparks and flashes as the power line was destroyed confirmed that we had trouble again.

In the morning at about 5:15 I went to check our house. It was with care that I went as there were on-going reports of more potential movement on the mountain. I think I may have been the first across the slide area as it crossed the main street, and it was treacherous. There was no pathway and lots of spots where one could sink up to one’s hips. As I passed over, I saw the levels of the destruction - again: enormous tree trunks, rocks the size of cars, and a lake of mud. It anything was in the direct path, it disappeared.

I finally got out of the mud and continued on to our house. In front was mud and water about a foot deep, but no damage. What a relief! After checking that no one had been in the house, as looters had been reported, I returned. As I was passing, I heard my friend Alyse sobbing and almost howling over the loss of his house and livelihood. He is young, about 35 years old, and now has nothing; just a family to care for with no house nor any means of earning a living. It was heartbreaking. With the advance warning, there were no deaths directly related to the slide. One man was buried in the slide but lived. However, after being rescued, he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. For those of you who know some people here, the man was uncle to Rosario Sicajan Xoc (Santo's wife).

Well, that is about it. It took until yesterday (Friday the 10th at noon) to get power back into the house. We only lost about 5 pounds of meat as well as much of the fruit that Francisca bought to sell in her tienda. All in all, we came through quite well.

If you can help the people of San Antonio, please donate via InnovativeCommunities.org at this LINK.
Click here for information on ICO San Antonio Palopó Community
Click here for information on ICO Santa Catarina Community

Registered Canadian Charity BN/Registration Number: 871126249RR0001

Thanks again to Mike Butler for use of his image at top.

San Antonio Palopo update - September devastation .

2010-09-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

San Antonio has again been hit with devastating mudslides. Thirty more homes have been destroyed (in addition to the 45 lost when Tropical Storm Agatha struck in late May). Many more are full of mud and must be dug out before it sets like cement. Thanks to Mike Butler for these images sent yesterday (September 7). If you can help, please donate via InnovativeCommunities.org at this LINK.

Registered Canadian Charity BN/Registration Number: 871126249RR0001

Remember, if you can help the people who have been so devastated, please donate via ICO here.

Registered Canadian Charity BN/Registration Number: 871126249RR0001

San Antonio Palopo and Agatha

2010-07-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 30, 2010, Guatemala was hit by tropical storm Agatha. Ten thousand people in villages around Lake Atitlan are living in temporary shelters because their homes have been destroyed. San Antonio was the worst-hit of the villages. Twenty-two people were killed, 40 homes destroyed, the water system destroyed, and one of the two schools declared unsafe. ICOatitlan is working with a group of San Antonio residents who have organized to respond to the crisis. These residents are working closely with the elected town council.

Here’s what they have accomplished so far:

With the help of funds sent by ICOatitlan friends, they have installed a pumping system to pump water from the lake and large tanks holding water treated with chlorine. Four doctors are now working at the San Antonio health clinic (as opposed to a half-time doctor they had before the disaster). Our team was able to meet their urgent request for medicines.

San Antonio is a village of weavers. Women traditionally weave on a simple belt loom, while men weave on foot looms. As well as having their houses destroyed, many weavers lost their looms. ICOatitlan is replacing these looms (the municipality is lending a large space to house them), as well as a sewing machine lost in the slide.

The families who lost their homes are currently living in temporary rooms; some are with extended family and some are in rented rooms. It'll be a long time before homes are re-built.Suitable land must be found and bought. ICOatitlan has helped make life more livable by providing each family with a portable gas-fuelled cooker, and has also provided mattresses for many of the families. Urgent funds are needed for ICOatitlan to continue in a supporting role. To donate to this initiative, please go to this LINK and indicate that your donation is for the Guatemalan projects. No matter how small, 100% of the donation goes to the donor's choice of ICO initiative.
Registered Canadian Charity BN/Registration Number: 871126249RR0001