September 15 will be Independence Day in Guatemala
As the country moves towards to Independence Day celebrations the city has blossomed with individuals selling then national flag on the streets.
In Guatemala Independence Day is a bit different. The major activity of the day will be parades of school bands. Fireworks is not a major part of the celebrations. |
Fredy Sanchez one of our great volunteers purchased this flag and draped it over our balcony in order to stimulate strong patriotic feelings in our neighbors.
|
On Saturday, August 25th we attended the meeting of the Guatemalan Group of Maryknoll Affiliates.
|
Members of the Guatemalan Chapter of Maryknoll Affiliates
|
Attending to lecture on saving the planet.
This quarterly meeting of the Guatemala Chapter of Maryknoll Affiliates devoted it time and effort to learning more about ecological problems currently facing our Common Home. This was done by video, lecture and exercises.
We generally have our affiliate meetings quarterly in Guatemala City. However it is worth mention that our group consist of individuals who come from all over the country. We often have visitors from El Salvador and other places.
Our general agenda is to have a general theme for the meeting thus after an opening prayer we will have video, discussion, lecture and exercises around the theme of the meeting.
Our attendance will vary but is generally approximate twenty-five individuals.
Here are photos from our efforts to provide good nourishment to our students. Did you know that malnutrition is at times worst in Guatemala than in Africa.
Prayer is always encouraged at our program home. Thus meals general start by blessing the food.
Prayer is always encouraged at our program home. Thus meals general start by blessing the food.
Our children pray before having the provided lunch before tutoring sessions.
|
We are able to provide a nutritious meal when the kids come for tutoring
May 2017
|
We recently started a monthly Holy Hour for the Children we serve
Photo below from first children's Holy Hour
The Children's Holy Hour will be a monthly event. An adult will lead the children in a bible study style meeting. At the time of the Children's Holy Hour the adults will have their weekly holy hour. (presently we alternate the style with one week being a bible study using the next Sunday's readings and on alternative weeks we pray the Rosary.
We had the great honor of being selected to work with "shoes to the world."
Shoes to the World is a California-based project. Its main purpose is to provide shoes to children in marginalized areas of the world. We are deeply grateful to them for providing over 200 pairs of shoes for distribution to children here in our neighborhood.
** Please note that Shoes to the World prefers that shoes donated be manufactured in the country where they are distributed. This is to double the benefit of the donations they receive.
You can visit Shoes to the World and learn a lot more about their effort to provide safe footwear to children in need. Just use the link below.
www.shoestotheworld.org
We were permitted to select the style, etc. of the shoes for distribution.
Here is a good picture of the shoes we decided to distribute to the children in our community.
Of course we had sufficient sizes to provide to various age groups as well as styles for both girls and boys.
Lined up outside awaiting shoes
Matt from Shoes to the World with some of the participants
|
Waiting for a short ceremony after distribution.
See my new shoes!
|
 Inside our house working on the
distribution
We want to thank Shoes to the World: Your effort to help those we serve is greatly appreciated. |
May 2016
|
A special day especially for the kids
|
On Saturday, January 2, 2016, we made a spiritual journey with our neighbors to Cerro Del San Domingo. It is a wonderful park on a mountain overlooking Antigua, Guatemala. Dependent upon the generosity of your donations we hope to make two Spiritual Journeys each year.
As seen here we include a Holy Hour, a time of reflection during these special moments for those we serve.
As seen here we include a Holy Hour, a time of reflection during these special moments for those we serve.
The park is full of wonderful statues!
Something new at every turn!
Something new at every turn!
Silverware a bit large.
We always include a Holy Hour on our Spiritual Journeys.
This merry-go-round horse is just like the ones we rode when we were kids.
|
The theme of statues varies throughout the park.
Here it is very whimsical with a horse from a merry go round. |
Much of the art work in the park is based on religious inspiration, be it the Christian faith or Mayan beliefs.
This beautiful and touching representation of the foot of the crucified Christ is located near the entrance to the Chapel.
It was a day of heart warming moments, just watching the children.
Oh, how much fun it was!
After our picnic lunch the kids got to play in the grass. This may seem like nothing to some. However, these kids are from the concrete jungle and rarely if ever have this opportunity. It was something truly wonderful for them.
Over and over again, up and down the hill
Laughing and expressing great happiness, they rolled down the grass covered hill over and over again.
Leavng after a wonderful adventure
Sadly, four o'clock came so soon and we had to leave this wonderful place.
|
|
Holy Week 2016
As in past years, a number of processions filed by our place during Holy Week.
Some of us participated in the making of alfombras (carpets) in the street. These carpets are made of many materials, especially dyed sawdust. The carpets are made for the processions and are destroyed when the people carrying the statues walk over them. This custom was introduced by the Spaniards.
Scenes from Holy Week 2016
In June 2016 we were visited by a Mission Immersion group.
They shared lunch with us and worked with our kids.
They also toured the neighborhood.
|
The mission group was sponsored by the Maryknoll Mission Society. The participants visited a number of different mission activities in Guatemala.
|
|
Our new program (initiated July 2016).
Sorry the photo is so dark. The kids are lying on the floor and watching a movie on the tutoring room wall. They are being rewarded for participation in school and their tutoring efforts.
The movies are offered to the deserving children twice a month.
As of August 2018 the movie program continues with offering every other Friday being greatly enjoyed by our kids from Tutoring.