Travelogue #6 -- Guatemala volunteer work

I have five more weeks of Spanish-language classes, but will be traveling and doing volunteer work over the next few weeks besides studying Spanish on my own.

I will be working as volunteer computer tech. support for http://safepassage.org at their complex for abused children from Guatemala City garbage dump. I still need to fill out the paperwork, but very interesting -- right down the street from where Hermano Pedro used to serve the poor in the 17th century.

Even before this official volunteer job, I've purchased a few planks of wood and have been cutting and sanding wooden block sets for children who don't have toys. Papa Neto has been kind enough to share his carpentry workshop and tools. I'm still looking for non-toxic paint for the wooden blocks.
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About the Program Safe Passage
(“Camino Seguro”)

Program Overview: Hope, Education, Opportunity Safe Passage (“Camino Seguro”) opened its doors in 1999 to provide hope and assistance to the children of the Guatemala City garbage dump. Where others saw a lost cause and lost resources, we saw potential and determination in the eyes of these children. We believe every child should have the opportunity to receive an education and to go as far as they are able in school. Our programs are designed so that each child can gain the skills needed to obtain stable jobs, to be self sufficient and to lead their families out of poverty in a dignified and permanent way.

Formal education is far beyond the reach for many of the children living on the periphery of the Guatemala City garbage dump. They are unable to afford the school uniforms & shoes, enrollment fees, school supplies and books required by the Guatemalan public schools. With financial support from Safe Passage, each child is able to attend a local public school for the half-day term and then come to our center for educational reinforcement, caring and supervision.

At Safe Passage, each child receives assistance with homework and hands-on learning activities designed to reinforce basic primary school concepts through our educational reinforcement program. They also participate in a range of arts, music, sports & recreational activities, English language classes, and computer instruction that provide opportunities to learn valuable life and social skills.

Safe Passage is committed to providing each child with nutritional support, including a daily healthy meal & snack, medical attention from our on-site clinic, vocational training programs, and weekend clubs for girls, boys and mothers.

Additionally, Safe Passage provides services for children 2-3 years old through the early intervention program, adult literacy for our children’s mothers, and residential care for children coming from the most dangerous and unstable living situations.

Safe Passage currently serves more than 550 children ages 2-19 years old. Our staff, consisting of Guatemalan teachers, social workers, and support staff and international volunteers are working to instill within each child a sense of hope and possibility and to provide them with the support, encouragement, and care they need to turn their dreams of an education into a reality.

For more information and pictures of the Guatemala City garbage dump, please visit http://safepassage.org

Love,
William