The End
Friday, August 12, 2016
Our awesome adventure in 2016
We went to the weaving coop and I loved to see how young they learn to weave I also loved seeing how they did the weaving. I had an amazing adventure well i was there. I felt like I was in her shoes when she was telling us the story. I also was amazed to see how different the schools were. I was put in the teachers shoes for four days. Some of the kids listened some of them did not but it really depended on the teacher if the teacher never does her job most of the kids did not listened. It was different experience every day with the kids. I learned alot from the kids. I have had a lot of fun learning about the Guatemalan culture and their history. I have had an awesome time collaborating with Lacy she has been awesome to work with and was a great help when we were stuttering. Today we went to the chocolate museum and I had so much fun with Raul he taught me so much. I got to make chocolate bars and we are picking the chocolate tommorow and we had a competition to see who could mash the cocoa beans the fastest and the best my mom an Nate won, they got a free piece of white chocolate. We have been playing soccer at night and we have been really competitive. So I have had so much fun in Guatemala.
Market was fun
One of the highlights of my trip to Guatemala was visiting the market in the city. I thought it was really cool the way it worked and the things that people were selling. It was very different from the stores in the United States because instead of having one set price for the items, you could barter with the people selling until you could get a price that you wanted. I got a Lionel Messi jersey, a t-shirt that said guat's up, and a little Barcelona soccer ball. My dad was very good at finding a good price for everything. He got a Gallo t-shirt for himself and one for my uncle, and t-shirts that said guatever and guat's up for my cousins. There was much more for sale than shirts, there was also different cloths, bags, wallets, tops, flutes, and anything that had to do with soccer. And then we got ice cream at Pollo Campero, so that was one the most fun parts of the trip.
-Nate Ernst
-Nate Ernst
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
soccer with the other kids
so yesterday night after we did a group reflection Eryss and I made pancake batter we whent to go play soccer we were playing soccer for about 2 hours or so and we all were very tired I was goalie so when we came back in the middle of the game I hurt my foot Eryss and I woke up at like 6:15 to make pancakes then all the kids went to school for the first class it was a little hard because not everyone wanted to do a game and they would talk when Eryss and I were talking in the second class it was easier because there were 3 other kids in the class and everyone wanted to participate.
-Emily
-Emily
Guatemala Trip -2016-
It was a really fun, exiciting and very cool experiece to be in the schools with the kids and on the social work visits to see and hear the peoples living situations and it was really cool. Also reading how much their parents make, makes you want to see them and sponser them with a sponcership to help a child and to help their family too. It was also really cool to see where the kids go to school and how happy they are with just a bottle cap and playing and kicking the bottle cap around on the floor so it can be like their soccer ball. It was really interesting to see how their classrooms are and to see how they play at their recess with such a little amount of things. It was very fun to see and to help out people here in Guatemala. I just think everything abut this trip is just amazing and that if you're thinking about coming here you should cause it's amazing and is very cool and nice to help out people here!
Sincerely,
Tori Larson (2016 trip)
Sincerely,
Tori Larson (2016 trip)
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Redefining Gratitude
I wake up each morning, work out, grab my coffee, eat breakfast with my children and continue the routine of my day. Routine. Although I am thankful for everything that I have, this trip to Guatemala, with my daughter, has caused me to pause and freshly see things through her eyes. I have moved twenty-six times throughout my life...all over the world...but my children have been born and raised in Minnesota. There is a wonderment in experinecing a new culture, like tasting a new food and letting the newness of it all envelop you. As we have driven through the cobblestone streets, peppered with brightly clad children, tucked between their parents on a motorcycle, I have awed at the lack of judgement in my daughters eyes as she found acceptance that there are so many ways to do the same thing in the world.
On the first day we arrived we went to the weaving co-op of Santiago Zamora and walked the dirt floors of their 'showroom', strewn with fresh rose petals to welcome us. When is the last time you've sprinkled rose petals on your floors to welcome your children home from school? I found myself smiling at the wrapped attention of the kids as they listened to the stories of these women and how they struggled to build their business and all of the freedom that it brought to them. We were helping to make a difference as we purchased their textiles and shared a meal. Each day I notice the differences of our cultures as we partake in their culture and observe it's joyous simplicities.
Although there is so much need in this country I am dumbfounded by the generosity, larger-than-life smiles and joyful adornment of the poorest of homes that we have seen. I pause...as we have watched children squeel with joy as they play with a bottle cap in the school yard, the smile of the ironworker who shared his work with our group and the pride of the school girls walking home with their friends, arm in arm. I pause as I find a new gratitude...true gratitude... for my 'routine'. The sun looks different now when I wake, my new tennis shoes as I work out feel luxurious, my coffee is richer and my breakfast with my kids is priceless...and I haven't seen my daughter on her cell phone at all.
I realize that our visit here did not change much on a large scale in Guatemala but as we communicate with our sponsor child and contribute to their familys' needs, it will hugely impact our awareness of gratitude for all that we have.
On the first day we arrived we went to the weaving co-op of Santiago Zamora and walked the dirt floors of their 'showroom', strewn with fresh rose petals to welcome us. When is the last time you've sprinkled rose petals on your floors to welcome your children home from school? I found myself smiling at the wrapped attention of the kids as they listened to the stories of these women and how they struggled to build their business and all of the freedom that it brought to them. We were helping to make a difference as we purchased their textiles and shared a meal. Each day I notice the differences of our cultures as we partake in their culture and observe it's joyous simplicities.
Although there is so much need in this country I am dumbfounded by the generosity, larger-than-life smiles and joyful adornment of the poorest of homes that we have seen. I pause...as we have watched children squeel with joy as they play with a bottle cap in the school yard, the smile of the ironworker who shared his work with our group and the pride of the school girls walking home with their friends, arm in arm. I pause as I find a new gratitude...true gratitude... for my 'routine'. The sun looks different now when I wake, my new tennis shoes as I work out feel luxurious, my coffee is richer and my breakfast with my kids is priceless...and I haven't seen my daughter on her cell phone at all.
I realize that our visit here did not change much on a large scale in Guatemala but as we communicate with our sponsor child and contribute to their familys' needs, it will hugely impact our awareness of gratitude for all that we have.
Wow, what an amazing first few days we've had! We were lucky to be part of a group who traveled down to Guatemala a couple days ahead of the full group and got to visit Lake Atitilan and the Pacaya Volcano (both a short trip outside of Antigua). The sites were amazingly beautiful, the people gracious and friendly and both well worth the visit and extra travel time. I can't imagine we'll ever get the chance again to roast marshmallows on an active field of lava rocks!
Both today and yesterday morning, while the kids and chaperones were teaching in the public elementary schools, most of the parents got to partake in Spanish lessons. Our maestra told us that Antigua is famous for it's Spanish schools because Antiguans speak a very "clean" dialect of Spanish with "concise grammar" that is universally understood. Students come from all over the world often for weeks or months at a time to learn or brush up on their Spanish for travel, their jobs or just for fun. The school's setting is a gorgeous courtyard with gardens in full bloom and small tables set up among the plants, flowers and terraces. Teachers and students (1 teacher with a 1 or 2 students) were scattered throughout, hunched over books and worksheets and engaged in lessons and lively discussions. Our teacher Delores was friendly, patient and energetic and it was a great experience. She even took us out to tour a museum of pre-Colombian music and a Guatemalan coffee plantation. Make sure to ask me the difference between Arabica and Robusto coffee beans! We also learned (in Spanish) that coffee originated in Ethiopia and is to be credited for the European industrial revolution. Prior to it's introduction Europeans primarily drank beer for their daily fluid intake and not a lot of work got done. ;) The general consensus from parents was that we now know why our kids are so completely exhausted after school (especially kindergarten!), learning a new language takes a TREMENDOUS amount of energy and concentration!
The afternoon was Parker's and my turn to visit some Common Hope families with a social worker for their monthly unannounced in-home visits. We were able to visit 3 families living in very close proximity to each other. Our Common Hope social worker was kind, caring and professional and the families were all friendly and welcoming. Discussions ranged from how the kids were doing in school, healthcare issues (one young girl was recovering from a serious burn injury), family planning, pregnancy, prenatal care, drinking water, and needed home improvements. The home site conditions were sad to say the least. Mud, dirt floors, chickens, flea infested dogs and cats, rodents, trash, and all variety of bugs and insects were the norm. The stark reality of their incredibly poor living conditions was a lot to take in. The work that Common Hope does is incredible and so important if they are to have any kind of a chance of breaking the cycle of poverty. A day later we are both still processing what we saw and heard and trying to figure out how we can have a positive impact. I think Parker summed it up well when his sole, quiet comment immediately following the visit was simply that "We take too much for granted, what can we do to help?"
Allison
Both today and yesterday morning, while the kids and chaperones were teaching in the public elementary schools, most of the parents got to partake in Spanish lessons. Our maestra told us that Antigua is famous for it's Spanish schools because Antiguans speak a very "clean" dialect of Spanish with "concise grammar" that is universally understood. Students come from all over the world often for weeks or months at a time to learn or brush up on their Spanish for travel, their jobs or just for fun. The school's setting is a gorgeous courtyard with gardens in full bloom and small tables set up among the plants, flowers and terraces. Teachers and students (1 teacher with a 1 or 2 students) were scattered throughout, hunched over books and worksheets and engaged in lessons and lively discussions. Our teacher Delores was friendly, patient and energetic and it was a great experience. She even took us out to tour a museum of pre-Colombian music and a Guatemalan coffee plantation. Make sure to ask me the difference between Arabica and Robusto coffee beans! We also learned (in Spanish) that coffee originated in Ethiopia and is to be credited for the European industrial revolution. Prior to it's introduction Europeans primarily drank beer for their daily fluid intake and not a lot of work got done. ;) The general consensus from parents was that we now know why our kids are so completely exhausted after school (especially kindergarten!), learning a new language takes a TREMENDOUS amount of energy and concentration!
The afternoon was Parker's and my turn to visit some Common Hope families with a social worker for their monthly unannounced in-home visits. We were able to visit 3 families living in very close proximity to each other. Our Common Hope social worker was kind, caring and professional and the families were all friendly and welcoming. Discussions ranged from how the kids were doing in school, healthcare issues (one young girl was recovering from a serious burn injury), family planning, pregnancy, prenatal care, drinking water, and needed home improvements. The home site conditions were sad to say the least. Mud, dirt floors, chickens, flea infested dogs and cats, rodents, trash, and all variety of bugs and insects were the norm. The stark reality of their incredibly poor living conditions was a lot to take in. The work that Common Hope does is incredible and so important if they are to have any kind of a chance of breaking the cycle of poverty. A day later we are both still processing what we saw and heard and trying to figure out how we can have a positive impact. I think Parker summed it up well when his sole, quiet comment immediately following the visit was simply that "We take too much for granted, what can we do to help?"
Allison
A Clinic Visit in Guatemala
A Clinic Visit in Guatemala
As a cardiologist in Minnesota, I was eager to see how medical care was provided in Guatemala. The clinic associated with the Common Hope Foundation is located on site and staffed by family practice physicians. I had the opportunity to visit the clinic and see two patients with the clinic doctors.
The first patient was an older woman who had classic angina--typical chest and arm pain associated with coronary artery blockages. She had hypertension and high cholesterol. Initially, she had such severe symptoms with activity that she could not walk far. She was referred to Guatemala City to see a cardiologist and had a stress test done, which was essentially normal. She was started on medication and her symptoms improved considerably. She is now able to work again. She was exceedingly gracious and appreciative for the care that she received.
The second patient was a young woman with a history of arrhythmia and now having an exacerbation of myesthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune condition causing muscle weakness. She was having trouble with swallowing, speaking, and dry eyes. The clinic doctors and I decided on a change in her medication that might help improve her symptoms. They will see her back in a couple of months to evaluate her symptoms again.
I believe that the patients who are eligible for care in that clinic have much better medical care than most other patients in Guatemala. The doctors were well educated and very caring. The doctors even go to the hospitals to visit their patients and provide them with medications and tests that are not available in the hospitals. The clinic has basic evaluations available, including ECG, chest xray (although the xray machine was lacking the necessary batteries currently), blood tests, and urine tests. When I asked whether it was possible to refer patients for an angiogram, the doctor indicated that it was possible, but he did not recall any of their patients actually undergoing that kind of testing. They do their best with medical management, it seems. The wait for surgery may be many months, and is often provided by visiting surgeons on humanitarian visits. Fortunately, much of the emphasis at the clinic seems directed at prevention of disease. They have programs to address infant and young childhood malnutrition and cervical cancer screening, for example. Their formulary of medications include options to address hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Overall, I was impressed by the dedication of the physicians and their staff. They wanted to treat their patients well and had high hopes, despite the paucity of resources at their disposal. They have a computerized medical system, but also still used a paper chart. However, their use of computers in their patients' care creates an opportunity to collaborate with doctors in the U.S. more often, using the power of telemedicine. We can all hope to provide the best care possible for people, no matter where they live.
Eric Ernst
As a cardiologist in Minnesota, I was eager to see how medical care was provided in Guatemala. The clinic associated with the Common Hope Foundation is located on site and staffed by family practice physicians. I had the opportunity to visit the clinic and see two patients with the clinic doctors.
The first patient was an older woman who had classic angina--typical chest and arm pain associated with coronary artery blockages. She had hypertension and high cholesterol. Initially, she had such severe symptoms with activity that she could not walk far. She was referred to Guatemala City to see a cardiologist and had a stress test done, which was essentially normal. She was started on medication and her symptoms improved considerably. She is now able to work again. She was exceedingly gracious and appreciative for the care that she received.
The second patient was a young woman with a history of arrhythmia and now having an exacerbation of myesthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune condition causing muscle weakness. She was having trouble with swallowing, speaking, and dry eyes. The clinic doctors and I decided on a change in her medication that might help improve her symptoms. They will see her back in a couple of months to evaluate her symptoms again.
I believe that the patients who are eligible for care in that clinic have much better medical care than most other patients in Guatemala. The doctors were well educated and very caring. The doctors even go to the hospitals to visit their patients and provide them with medications and tests that are not available in the hospitals. The clinic has basic evaluations available, including ECG, chest xray (although the xray machine was lacking the necessary batteries currently), blood tests, and urine tests. When I asked whether it was possible to refer patients for an angiogram, the doctor indicated that it was possible, but he did not recall any of their patients actually undergoing that kind of testing. They do their best with medical management, it seems. The wait for surgery may be many months, and is often provided by visiting surgeons on humanitarian visits. Fortunately, much of the emphasis at the clinic seems directed at prevention of disease. They have programs to address infant and young childhood malnutrition and cervical cancer screening, for example. Their formulary of medications include options to address hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Overall, I was impressed by the dedication of the physicians and their staff. They wanted to treat their patients well and had high hopes, despite the paucity of resources at their disposal. They have a computerized medical system, but also still used a paper chart. However, their use of computers in their patients' care creates an opportunity to collaborate with doctors in the U.S. more often, using the power of telemedicine. We can all hope to provide the best care possible for people, no matter where they live.
Eric Ernst
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