Guatemala Day 3
You know how when you see some amazing things in nature
and take a
photo then realize the picture just couldn't capture the
true
beauty you saw in person...well, I don't think I can even
come up
with the words to fully describe our day and have you
appreciate
the beauty of what we saw at the children's malnutrition
center
today.
After breakfast and some Dramamine, we headed about an
hour out of
town through some really squiggly and VERY tight roads. I
have
learned that driving techniques are quite similar in most
Central
American countries, they can fit two large trucks, a
motorcycle
and a tuktuk (kind of like a golf cart) all around the
same corner
simultaneously. The landscape was filled with terraced crops,
flowers and for some reason, lots of furniture stores.
We made it to the center at about 9:00 and our leader,
Howie, along with
Olivia and Alejandra were greeted by hoards of giggling,
squealing
children. It was obvious that the kids felt love for and
received
love from these three amazing people. The center
currently has
approximately 75 undernourished kids living on the
premises (it
can accommodate 100). We took a quick tour of the
facility (many
years ago the building was used as a TB hospital and after
the
disease was eradicated, it became a malnutrition center).
Now to the truly AMAZING people of this whole
endeavor...the
nannies. As I said, there are approx. 75 kids and are you
ready.....11 nannies that care for them. They work 12
hour shifts
6 day a week! These beautiful women are loving, sweet,
"mamas" to
these children.
I was assigned (along with Tara) to the
"pollitos" (chicks) room.
We had 9 children age 2years-3 1/2 years and our nanny is
Susie.
As soon as we joined the room, it was Tara and I against
the
masses :). Susie left to get some other things done. When
I sat on
the floor, I was quickly greeted by a little boy that
came over to
give me something; as I held out my hand, he deposited a
large
booger into my palm...welcome to the world of toddlers. I
was awed
at how well the children played, although mostly alone
and not so
much interacting with one another and the only words
heard were an
occasional "uh oh". Obviously, to keep
everything running and not
having it collapse in chaos, there is a very rigid
routine and the
kids know it well. After breakfast (before we arrived)
all the
kids are bathed, diapered, dressed and teeth brushed. Then they are placed
in the play area for the group. If there is no mission team
there on
any given day, the nanny does this entire process ALONE!
We played
with toys for a while and at 10:30 they had snack, which
is a cup
of pediasure.
The kids new they had to sit down on the mat and drink the entire
cup and
not get up, roll around, wander, or play with toys until
it was
finished. That was the entire snack.
Afterwards we played
with the toys and made a cross craft until lunch time. It was
interesting
how quickly we learned the different personalities and
how quickly
some stole our hearts. Mine was stolen by a sassy little
girl who
was about 3 and had been at the center since she was a
baby, this
is not a normal situation. Depending on the severity of
the
child's undernourishment and the families ability to
provide a
healthy, nutritional lifestyle, most head home within a
year.
These kids are not in abandonment situations. It is a
gut-wrenching decision for the parents to leave their
children,
but know it is best for their baby. The parents visit on
weekends,
although they can come anytime they want. Some children
come from
very far and it is just not possible for their parents to
make the
trip very often.
A lunch time, our little pollitos, who are all pretty
good at
feeding themselves, head to the dining room and sit at
the table.
These little ones sat quietly at the table and waited
ever so
patiently about 15 minuted for their meal to arrive. They
received
nice size portions and were served one item at a time.
They had to
finish each item to move on to the next...the dangling
carrot was
more drink after they ate (they love the taste) and a
tortilla
(another favorite). If you noticed, the 2-3 years olds
haven't
had any kind of nap yet, so a couple of them were falling
asleep
at the table. For our little guys, they are just learning
to be
potty trained and obviously with 9 children, one person
can not
keep running them to the potty one by one, so it is a
group potty
effort. All of them are taken to the bathroom and they
sit on
little pots, not toilets, and they all just sit there for
about 15
minutes. Since efficiency is required, they are given
little
toothbrushes while sitting on the potty and use this time
to brush
:). Afterwards, they are put down for nap.
After a restful lunch, we were assigned a variety of
chores to do
while the kids were napping. We woke them up around 3:15,
did any
necessary diaper changes and headed to the courtyard to
play. We
enjoyed the children but needed to head out by 4:30 to
make sure
we weren't traveling on the roads back to the city after
dark (not
always safe). Just as were were greeted by a group of
squealing
little ones upon our arrival, those some little voices
sent us on
our way with lots of "adios." It was an
invigorating yet tiring
day. The hugs and smiles will have to last us through the
night.
On the way back to the hotel, they took us to an overlook
that is
open to a vast view of the city of Antigua, back dropped
with a
spectacular view of the largest volcano around us and to
top it
off, a beautiful stone cross. They took us there for a
team photo.
And then the downfall of my day occurred..my camera
battery died,
I couldn't find my charger when I left home and no one
else's
charger works with my battery. I am hoping to figure out
some
remedy.
We are all completely whipped, but can't wait to turn
around and
do it again!
Oh yeah, the BEST God moment of the day...our children's
director,
Mandy, was here in September and became very attached to
one
specific little girl and upon returning home, her family
decided
to sponsor this little girl. She became deathly ill after
Mandy
left but bounced back and is now home with her father.
The center
was able to reach her dad and he drove 1 1/2 hours each
way to
bring her to see Mandy and Emma. It was such a blessing
for them
to see her well and loved on by her father. Our God is so
good and
wants to give us our hearts desire. On behalf of Mandy
and Emma,
"Thanks God!"
Be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the
saints and
seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:12-13
No comments:
Post a Comment