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We have temporarily changed our focus.
As the Covid-19 pandemic has penetrated our country, we have found it necessary to temporarily change our primary focus. We are now heavily involved in combating the hunger that has penetrated our neighborhood.
One good way to understand the hunger problem is to realize that our area (Paridiso II, Zone 18, Guatemala City) is one of the most marginalized in a city known for its poverty. Almost no families in this area have more than one breadwinner in the home. They are all living, as we would express it— "hand to mouth" or "paycheck to paycheck." When the virus struck, the government immediately shut down businesses, Thus, people lost their only means of earning a living and paying for food. In addition, food from the mountains not being able to reach the colonial because of travel restrictions caused more food distribution problems.
One good way to understand the hunger problem is to realize that our area (Paridiso II, Zone 18, Guatemala City) is one of the most marginalized in a city known for its poverty. Almost no families in this area have more than one breadwinner in the home. They are all living, as we would express it— "hand to mouth" or "paycheck to paycheck." When the virus struck, the government immediately shut down businesses, Thus, people lost their only means of earning a living and paying for food. In addition, food from the mountains not being able to reach the colonial because of travel restrictions caused more food distribution problems.
Our response to the hunger crisis!
Our original response was stimulated by two events occurring simultaneously. First, as the crisis began to unfold, a growing number of individuals were coming to our door seeking food. Secondly, as the situation got worse, we received a phone call from our friends at Cross Catholic International asking if we would be interested in a grant specifically for providing food to the needy in our area. We immediately responded and received a grant. The photos below tell the story of our anti-hunger effort.
Food packets were Prepared for distribution. Our first two distributions were to approximately 150 families both times.
Food packets were Prepared for distribution. Our first two distributions were to approximately 150 families both times.
Phase 1 Getting the food from markets to home
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Then getting it into the house
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A lot of food stuff to turn into small packages.
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Some of the more recognizable food stuff.
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Food package ready for delivery to a Neighbor in need.
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Maryknoll affiliates in Guatemala celebrate Sister Helen's 100th. Birthday
- The celebration was held on Saturday,, February 22, 2020
- Our friends from Albany New York had come. They have known Sister Helen even long before our program was initiated.
Sister Helen is seated beterween Richard Lassard, President of the Affiliate board (standing) and sister xxxx
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On the left Steve a local affiliate and the visitors from the states addressing the group. (Steve is nterperter).
On the right you see our President Carlosl his wife Karla and their son Andry at one of the banquet tables. |
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A great visit with our friends from Albany New York
Friday, February 21, 2020
Thanksgiving week 2019
Some of our volunteers are preparing the meal for ourselves and the visitors.
Table fellowship is always a special time at Caminando Por La Paz.
(If you choose to visit us one day you too can experience it)
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Two Photos of the group. Us, our neighbors, and the wonderful visitors! |
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A visit from our friends in the Byzantine Church.
- Group Photo of us and our visitors
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On Monday Rev. Father Merek Vismoskey offered a byzantine liturgy in
remembrance of our Founder, Father Thomas Goekler. It was the
10 anniversary of his death.
All of us at Caminando Por La Paz were both surprised and grateful for this special time
of remembering our founder.
Meal time with our visitors. Table fellowship never fails.
Father Visnoskys at the head of the table with
some of us and some seminarians.
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It seems that what our visitors most enjoy is their time of interaction with our kids. |
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On the right you see some of our kids awaiting lunch. L Lunch is always served before the afternoon tutoring session. However on this day it is very special! Rev. Father Elias Rafaj from St. John Chrysostom in Houston is preparing some special grilled cheese sandwiches for our kids. |
A day for the girls
After our recent Guys Day it was only fair to have a day for the girls.
After some discussion they asked to go to Mondo Petepa ad local amusement park
To the right yu see some of them as we entered the park.
A clear photo of the vary happy girls at the Petapa Park.
Here you see them as they landed after the bamboo roller coaster.
One of the more interesting rides.
The carrage goes rather high up and then the disc moves in a clockwise motion.
You can hear the riders yelling and you won't need an listening devices.
Only our younger choose this one.
The carrage goes rather high up and then the disc moves in a clockwise motion.
You can hear the riders yelling and you won't need an listening devices.
Only our younger choose this one.
Guys Day
February 25th 2019
One of our consistent donors asked that a certain part of her recent donation be utilized to provide two days with recreational activities for the main leadership living in the program house. The guys choose to go to Mountain Adventures. That is a park especially designed and programmed for paint ball.
The second day is for the gals . They are now deciding where and what they would like to do with their special day.
The park also had these giant plastic globes. The guys got inside and ran about bumping into each other. A time of great laughs. They fulling enjoyed their special day.
It is wonderful that someone cared to arrange a special act to show appreciation for all the hard work our people do for their neighborhood.
November is the time of School Graduations in Guatemala.
This year several of our current students have graduated various levels such as elementary school, Junior High School, and High School, we even now have a couple who are working toward their college Bachelors Degree. Below are a few pictures from one graduation exercise.
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Our School Break Project (November 2018)
We have begun the arduous work of remodeling our kitchen. We feed upwards of 75 kids a day when tutoring session are occurring. Our cooks need more space accomplish this. you will note here that it required first the leveling of the area where most of the utilities for preparing, serving and clearing up of meals will take place.
We have begun the arduous work of remodeling our kitchen. We feed upwards of 75 kids a day when tutoring session are occurring. Our cooks need more space accomplish this. you will note here that it required first the leveling of the area where most of the utilities for preparing, serving and clearing up of meals will take place.
Here you have a view of the current kitchen situation. I imagine six cooks fall over each other in the area you see here. We at Caminando Por La Paz are so blessed to have some many wonderful volunteers working to provide so much for the kids and our neighbors.
On Saturday, August 25th we attended the meeting of the Guatemalan Group of Maryknoll Affiliates.
Here are photos from our efforts to provide good nutria 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.
Prayer is always encouraged at our program home.
Our children pray before having the provided lunch before tutoring sessions.
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We are able to provide a nutritious meal when the kids come for tutoring
May 2017
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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
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Waiting for a short ceremony after distribution.
See my new shoes!
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 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
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A special day especially for the kids
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The mission group was sponsored by the Maryknoll Mission Society. The participants visited a number of different mission activities in Guatemala.
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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.