Favorite Safe Passage Experience - Mike

My experience that I would like to share was sharing music with the children of Safe Passage.  Ever since I arrived it has been difficult to communicate due to my limited Spanish.  Music is the only universal language regardless of lyrics that everyone can enjoy and understand.  It was hard at first to express the actual meanings behind some of the songs with English lyrics, but all in all, it was my best way of connecting with the kids.

Last Journal Entry - Grace

Our last journal entry is supposed to be our most memorable event in Safe Passage.  Something worth pointing out is how grown up the children act.  Maybe that’s what makes them so adorable in comparison to kids from home.  You can really see the difference.  Also they all want to hug you and hold your hand, just because you’re there.  I think my last day with Safe Passage was the most memorable.  We were working in Hanley’s Farm.  Our second group was larger than the first.  It was the class we had been meeting everyday helping them hang up the 2 liter bottle plant holders was a lot of fun even if the number of tomatoes were too many.  They’re all so full of energy and smile and laugh even though I sure that they have had to deal with worse life situations than me.  I know that this trip has changed me.

Favorite Part of Safe Passage - Anna

It’s too hard to write about my favorite of Safe Passage.  I loved every single minute of it, especially the kids.  I wish I could stay longer to get to know them all better, but I am positive I will be coming back soon.  I will miss them all so much, especially Ada, Antony, Marco Tulio, and so many more.  All of them are amazing and I can’t wait to get back and see them all.

Favorite Part of Safe Passage - Jackson

My favorite part of the trip was lunch with Astrid (Jackson’s sponsor child).  She got all dressed-up in high heels, a dress, and a leopard print cloak.  She looked like a little princess.  It was adorable.  She was extremely excited and nervous about going out to lunch with her “padrino” (sponsor).  We left after she was singing and dancing and waving scarves to K-non.  As we got into the bus, she said that she wanted to go to McDonald’s.  Her favorite food is hamburgers.  She was very shy and could only talk with the Safe Passage sponsor support person.  We had a small discussion about colors, and then we arrive at McDonald's.  She was visibly excited as we hopped out of the van.  She grasped my hand and gave me a nervous smile.  We went in and she told me that she wanted a Happy Meal.  As she chose her toy I ordered our food.  We waited and sat by the play place.  As we sat she daintily removed the fries from the Happy Meal box.  She then informed me that she had selected the Tweety Bird toy.  She finished her fries and went to play on the play place.   She made a friend who would cry when he couldn’t see her.  After about a half an hour and her trying to scare me by sneaking up and shouting “Boo!”, she decided she was hungry and ate about half a burger, pineapple and drank her anaranjada.  After this she was literally bouncing off the walls.  She eventually got bored so we opened her gifts.  She loved them and we spent the rest of the time drawing.

Medical Care at Safe Passage - Mike

Safe Passage has one sole provider for it’s medical program.  The organization is an NGO called Shared Beat from Texas (kind of like Doctors without Borders).  For several years they have provided a nurse on duty during school hours, a doctor who comes in three times a week, a psychologist who comes in a couple times a week.  Shared Beat also teaches the basic information about health and sexual education at the appropriate level. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schmaltz - Connor

Richard Schmaltz is a seasoned-looking man. Fairly tall with gray hair and glasses, he commands an attitude that is immediately friendly. When one speaks with Mr.Schmaltz the individual will feel as if he is a friendly man that can make tough decisions with the best logic.  I believe he's from Canada.

I didn't know what to expect from Susan Schmaltz (the wife of Mr.Schmaltz, obviously). I don't think she expected me either as our meeting was not a planned for event. So I sit down with Mrs.Schmaltz. I give her my Kindle Fire (which had a copy of my paper “Game Mechanics in Education”) and she read the first line of my paper “To play is to learn.”

 As head of the Escuelita (the little kid area, essentially) for Safe Passage, Mrs.Schmaltz has a play focused methodology. I believe we spoke for about 2.5 hours.; after which, I make the decision to finally take a gap year and volunteer at Safe Passage.

Mrs.Schmaltz shows me a small section of playground. It is not a bad playground, just small. This small section is meant for the youngest students and is nowhere near the size of the epic playground only 30 feet away. I ask myself, What can I do with this?
Simple idea: get a sandbox digger (little manual mechanical excavator, often put in sandboxes), get a sandbox, fill it with plastic caps like those from milk jugs (sand gets in the eyes, it's messy and doesn't make too much sound). Put the excavator in the middle of the sandbox, a pathway to get to the excavator, and you've got yourself an excellent play area.

[Ed. - I had some groundbreaking schematics here,
I see lots of opportunity here. For instance, there is a bus in one of the classes that is made out of wood. It's cool as is, don't get me wrong. But beyond the steering wheel, it's not extremely interactive. The simple solution is a Switchbox LED (a term I just made up): You have a small box (maybe ¼ the size of the shoe box), you throw in an LED, a battery (no exposed wires), and a switch (button, toggle, anything) and you've got a fairly sweet bus.  If all I did was build toys like this, it'd be my dream job even if there's no pay.
Susan and I also shared ideas and information. I gave her names like Roger Callois, Albert Bandura, James Paul Gee, Jane McGonigal, and Johann Huizinga. She gave me the names Howard Gardner and Jean Pizget (names I can't believe I've missed in my research).
I had an excellent time speaking with Susan. I look forward to working with/under her.  (Note: Connor illustrated many of his ideas in his journal- great job!)

Creamos - Kim

A business opportunity that has grown from the Adult Literacy Program is CREAMOS-  Creaciones con Reciclaje, Esperanza y Amor por Madres Organizadas y Solidarias. Creamos also means: we create, we grow.  A group of the women from the Adult Literacy Program learned how to make beads from recycled magazines.  They then use these beads and purchased material to make a wide range of colorful and very beautiful jewelry, angels, purses, and even wallets made from Doritos bags.  Each year the jewelry has become more fashionable and creative.  The women run their business independently,  each jewelry creator keeps a record of her expenses and time and then sets her price.  The jewelry can be purchased at their showroom in the project, at a few stores, and online: www.creamosfuturos.com.   Every year I love shopping in their store and watching the women become more independent.  With this project several have been able to leave their job in the garbage dump or at least spend less time there.  One of my favorite stories is of one of the women who was able to sell their jewelry at an upscale department store in Guatemala City.  For this she had to wear a uniform with the store logo.  Her son was so proud of her that he wanted her to wear her uniform to his wedding!

Adult Literacy Program - Troy

The Adult Literacy Program at Safe Passage is one of my favorite programs there.  It takes the parents of the students and puts them through an education up to 6th grade.  That alone can get you a better job and increase your wages.  The program aims to teach parents to read, write, and do practical math…. The program started with the mothers, but now the fathers are showing up wanting the classes so that they can set a good example for their kids and to better their lives.  I also believe that the program betters Safe Passage in the eyes of the community.  With the parents now experiencing Safe Passage first-hand they know it isn’t about a bunch of caring gringos and that the establishment is there to serve a good purpose- to better their childrens' lives and to better their own as well.

4th Grade Class - Anna

Today was our first day working with Safe Passage.   It is a wonderful place.  You can really see the happiness of the kids that have the opportunity to go there.  I am writing about the 4th graders, a lovely group of kids: funny and welcoming.  They were excited to meet us and play with us.  They are very sweet and have the need to be loved.  My favorite is Addi.  She lit up when she saw me again which made me feel so good.  She’s so cute and I think I want to sponsor her.  The kids are funny and attentive.  I will miss them so much.

La Escuelita - Jackson

The Guardaria has recently become the Escuelita and this has brought many changes, both good and bad, for the staff, children and parents.

For the staff this change has been stressful.  As an official school, the teachers need credentials.  This caused many of the teachers to be let go (because of lack of credentials) and replaced.  This also means that the day starts earlier and ends earlier to fit into the school laws in Guatemala.  They are also subject to monthly examinations from the superintendent.

For the   children the change has been almost all positive.  They are now only with Safe Passage. The staff can spot difficulties earlier and then provide support.  They have also had varying disciplinary expectations when at a school part-time then at Safe Passage part-time.  This was confusing to the children, so with one place disciplining them, they will be less confused.

For the parents, this is a mixed bag.  On one hand they only need to drop their children off in the morning then pick them up at night.  On the other hand, it now costs 15Q (about $2) a month to have a child in the Escuelita.  This has raised the expectations that the parents have for the Escuelita.

Description of Main Campus (Reinforcement Center) - Andy

Today we went to Safe Passage.  We started with a visit to the main office in Antigua, and they gave our group two branded t-shirts.  Next we visited La Escuelita, a kindergarten style facility.  After that, we toured the main campus of Safe Passage.  We saw all of the classrooms, their gym, and the cafeteria.  It was really interesting how resourceful they are with their space, and really make the most out of everything.  Even though they need a lot in so little space, everything is very nice, and very well organized.  They have a beautiful garden on the campus that was designed by the University of Washington.  I’m actually sitting there as I write this.  It’s really nice because it’s practical (lots of plants to learn about, benches to sit on) and it’s also really pretty with colorful flowers, and brightly painted walls.  Overall I think that the campus represents what Safe Passage is. Not only is it resourceful and practical, but creative and helps makes schooling seem like less of a chore and more enjoyable for the children.

El Basurero (The Dump) - Grace

Today was the first day at Safe Passage.  Our tour started at the graveyard overlooking the dump.  As we drive further into the graveyard, you can start to smell the dump.  It smells like rotting meat and methane and food gone bad.  At the edge of the cemetery there is a cliff going down to the dump.  This part of the cemetery looks somewhat abandoned; some of the mausoleums have broken glass, so you can see into them.  It’s common knowledge that for people who cannot afford to keep their loved ones in the vaults (you have to pay a yearly rent) to have the coffins thrown over the edge of the dump.  These are picked through to find jewelry or anything else of value.  Half of the tombs have been bashed in and are empty.  I can’t help but wonder who was in the tombs, whose family they belonged to.  All of the little houses (burial vaults) are in rows with no space to walk between.  At the cliff you can see the dump.  The ground below is filled with trash that is decomposing.  In a far corner you can see some burning methane.  I’m told that the dump is not nearly as bad as it used to be.  No one under 14 years old is allowed in.  All the new rules and regulations are because of the fire of 2005.  People used to live in the dump.  You can’t really see the toxic river at the bottom of the dump.  It is very dangerous.  The people working there look like ants… they put their hands on the garbage trucks coming in to claim it as theirs to look through as it unloads.
I have never seen so many birds at once (buzzards).  Have you ever dropped a chip or a small piece of fruit and come back later to find it coated in ants?  So much so, it doesn’t really look like that chip anymore?  That’s how the birds look; but in the sky you think there’s no way there could be more, but you look up and there’s hundreds above you and more around the graveyard outskirts and then a hundred more on the other side.  There are cliffs around the dump.  It looks boxed in with houses at the top.

Volcano Hike - James

For the volcano hike, we woke up at five in the morning to get there before the tourists.  We had an hour long ride and, once we got our walking sticks, we were off.  We had a hike through a forest.  I was not used to the altitude difference or the hiking.  When we got close to the volcano, the ground became like ash and it looked like another planet.  We had a choice to keep going or to stop,  I decided to muster all my strength and push on.  It was incredibly difficult, my clothes stank of dirt and sweat, my muscles aching.  I got to the top finally and it felt like a wind tunnel and it got very cold.  We laid down and saw the steam from the volcano.  I had expected to see lava, but alas, no luck.  The trip was cool and I definitely will remember it.

Volcano Hike - Anna

Today we hiked the volcano… However, hanging with Julio's daughters, Paola and Daniela, was fun.  Paola has down-syndrome, yet she is still so beautiful, full of life, wonder, and lots of energy.  She and I had a great time.  I really hope I get to see her again.  I also admire Daniela because she is such a great sister.  It can’t be easy having a sister who gets more attention, but she handles it well.  I think they are both beautiful.

Pacaya Volcano Hike - Andy

Today we woke up at 5:30 AM to go hike a volcano.  The hike up wasn’t bad.  I had to stop a few times because of the altitude…Later we went to an area with benches and ate lunch.  We went further up and I could see the clouds beneath us.  There was a point where it was like walking up sand dunes.  We walked back a different way.   On the way down they roasted marshmallows over a volcanic hot air vent.  They were very good.  Later on the way down it got very hot… It was also really, really dusty.  Once we were down the volcano we were all covered in dust, and I took a shower A.S.A.P.

Last Day of Spanish School - Anna

Today was the last day of Spanish School.  It was fun, but I will miss Sylvia.  We presented our fruits.  Mine was the Anona.  It’s pretty good, but has a weird flavor and texture.  We had a good last day.

Best of the Day - James

Today Connor, our Spanish School teachers and I went to a fried chicken place that was better than Pollo Campero and cheaper….  Later that day I decided to play soccer in the yard in front of the house. As I was playing, some younger kids went by me. One of them sat across from the field and I, thinking he'd like to play, invited him to partake in my play. I tried to speak Spanish the best I could and he knew a little English.  Eventually, his sisters asked if they could play and I allowed it.  They were young and still learning, but we had fun.  The boy was 8, I believe his sister was 6 and his other sister was probably four years old. Eventually I was called in for dinner, ending our play.

The Chocolate Museum - Connor Heckler

Ah yes, Chocolate!  The dark chocolate is extravagant and good for you.  The chocolate museum was an excellent little store.  We learned a bit about chocolate, then made our on concoctions.  Here’s a quick list to review the steps:

1. Smash and strip- We were given cacao beans in their shells to separate. (Señora, you did fairly poorly.   I beat you easily.)
2. Ground and Pound- We then took the beans and pulverized them into paste.  There was a first prize for the fastest past.  The winners are: 1. Troy, 2. Jackson, 3. Don’t remember 4. ME!
3. Chug! Chug! Chug!  We drank two kinds of chocolate stuff: 1. Dark, very water-like and incredibly bitter.  Lots of honey was poured in this. 2. A lighter, sweeter beverage.  I would have enjoyed a thicker beverage.  
4. Customize our Chocolate- YUM!  We were given bowls of chocolate and about a dozen possible ingredients.  I wanted milk-chocolate, so I added powdered milk to it.  I should have added more as it is still bitter.  

Overall it was an excellent, most delicious activity.