Contrasting with the horrors of the garbage dump were the various Safe Passage facilities we visited. The first was the guarderia or pre-school. Set in a neighborhood of lamina-roofed shanties, this facility is truly an oasis of beauty and safety and calm. They will soon be embarking on a project to install a proper surface for their sports field, and there is a wonderful garden that was donated and installed by students from the University of Washington.
After visiting the guarderia we traveled by shuttle a short distance to the main facility for Safe Passage, but not before enjoying a lunch at the comdedor next door: chicken, rice, and beans. The comedor serves not only the Safe Passage employees and volunteers, but also the employees from local factories.
Our tour of the main facility revealed a site that illustrates how much can be done with so little in terms of resources. We observed partnerships between private and public entities, involvement from international volunteers, and programs in social work, medicine, and educational support. I will post more details about these in subsequent days as we launch more into the work.
We finished up with a visit to the adult literacy center at Safe Passage. We will be returning there for an art project, and to visit the jewelry-making cooperative that was established to provide the women who would otherwise be working in the dump an alternate income.
Overall the day was emotional, inspirational, and full of sobering lessons and information, including:
- only 18% of Guatemalan children graduate from elementary school (grade 6)
- currently there are about 17 murders a day in Guatemala City
- despite international attention, the Guatemala City garbage dump continues to grow at an alarming rate
- the average dump worker (guajero) earns 7-20 Quetzales a day, about $1-$3
Abrazos desde Antigua, Guatemala...
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11 comments:
Thank you for such a beautifully descriptive account of your journey thus far. Your experience is alive for us back at AEA! You will touch the lives of many with the work ahead. Our school community is very proud of you!
Hi,
what was emotional and what was inspirational?
I can just imagine the smell when you were standing above the garbage dump...is the smell really intense?
I think the difference between the garbage dump and the safe side must be extreme...is it like unrealy when you see both the whole time?
Take care...BRutz
Sounds like you've been able to experience so much guajero culture already. I'd like to hear more about the pre-school and possibly the art project you wrote about, if possible. Great photo-journaling, by the way!
Ms. Peters
This is so sad but I'm proud to know that our principle helped with this
I am following your story with great interest! Please explain about what the "Safe Passage" thing is all about. What does your group expect to accomplish? The pictures are wonderful! We miss you at AEAMS, but you are providing an outstanding example to our students. I hope they are all reading your blog, too! I look forward to the next day's posting. Mrs. Hinesley
Hola Senor Sciarretta,
Espanol 3 is here checking your blog. We so appreciate your faithful communication. We love the pictures. What has been your favorite part of the trip so far?
My students have promised they would try to get on to your blog and leave comments and questions.
My students want souvenirs from the trash dump:) Alejandro and Julian and Gethin wantw a sope. Raven wants trash, Hector wants food. We joke, we joke. Thanks so much and we look forward to reading more.
Mrs. Burnham's class.
Thanks for your support. It means so much to know there are folks back in SD following along on this adventure.
On the kids mouth is that food or dirt?
This is super cool....i have learned to appreciate the stuff i have more cuz i usually take it for granted
it must be a big held to teach the children that dont get an education
this is really cool, i dont really know wat to put here so have fun and come back soon
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