I can't believe how much time has passed! Tomorrow Chris and I are leaving for Boston, where we'll spend a night and then catch an early morning flight to Guatemala City. We'll be gone from February 2nd until March 6th. We've decided to go for just one month for a few reasons. Finances is definitely the most major reason and the other is that we are simply looking forward to settling down.
The money that we raised for volunteering will be just enough to cover our trip expenses. Thanks to all of you who helped make this possible! Fortunately flights to Guatemala are not that expensive. I can't imagine why they are so cheap... low demand? That's what our Moms say.
We will be living with a family in Antigua, Guatemala who commonly rents rooms to Safe Passage volunteers. There will probably be other volunteers living there with us! The family prepares three meals a day for us and I think this family has a washing machine that we are allowed to use! It should be a really interesting experience. We hope to better our Spanish as well. We've been practicing along with our Learn to Speak Spanish CDs.
Our time in Saint John was really wonderful. It's a much different and MUCH slower paced culture, but it was nice while we were there. We worked as painters while we were there and on the weekends we tried our best to get out and see the Island. Three quarters of Saint John is National Park, so it has really been preserved well. There are countless beaches and hiking trails to explore... three months was only enough time to see most things once! We would both recommend taking a vacation there, if the opportunity arises!
Although Saint John is a beautiful island we were very happy to come back home for the holidays. We decided that we would like to settle in Portland once we're back from Guatemala, so we've been apartment hunting. I think we found a good one yesterday! Hopefully it will work out.
Anyway, hope you all are well and we will try to keep this updated more often! Take care everyone.
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The children also receive assistance from local staff and volunteers (that's us!) with homework and tutoring as a part of a daily education reinforcement and activity program.
Close to 500 children come to Safe Passage every day to participate in the range of educational and recreational activities provided by the program.
Children are provided with: -Assistance with enrollment fees, school supplies, books and uniforms; -Educational reinforcement and tutoring; -Daily program of sports and recreational activities; -A healthy lunch and snack; -Support to stay in school; -Reimbursement of medical expenses; -Assistance in the form of clothes, shoes and food supplies, which they earn attending the program; -Vacation program consisting of educational reinforcement and recreational activities; -Frequent visits to the children's home or school in an effort to further support the children in their education.
GUATEMALA GUESTBOOK
submitted on October 8, 2006 10:41 AM EST Name: Diane Caron How do we know you: Pine Tree Camp Why are you cool: I am unique in my own way. Why are we cool: The both of you very special people. What is your favorite dessert: Anything Chocolate. Other comments: Hey Chris, you can handcuff me anytime! LOL! I miss you guys like crazy
submitted on March 12, 2006 4:23 PM EST Name: lance white How do we know you: I dated both of you in the 90's. Why are you cool: I sweat a lot-- so I am hot, not cool. Why are we cool: Chris is not cool-- just Bri-- What is your favorite dessert: Bri pie and Chris pudding Other comments: happy friggin birthday Bri!
submitted on March 8, 2006 3:06 PM EST
Name: sturgeon brown
How do we know you: from the movies
Why are you cool: I’m in the friggin movies for Christ sakes
Why are we cool: you watch me in the movies
What is your favorite dessert: anything not at a craft service table
Other comments: I played a horse in Brokeback Mountain
submitted on March 5, 2006 5:02 PM EST Name: Uncle Zeke How do we know you: I allow you to know me Why are you cool: I choose to be Why are we cool: you know me and you both look good in slacks What is your favorite dessert: pie, sea-weed pie Other comments: adopt me
submitted on February 28, 2006 10:15 PM EST Name: big Bruce How do we know you: from some half-baked potato induced daydream that rattled your spines into a coupled vision of a mountain god--me Why are you cool: I have no name Why are we cool: fire-side chats What is your favorite dessert: the north arctic--but you have to drop the second 's' first Other comments: bi-ya
submitted on August 11, 2005 7:02 PM EST Name: Laura Antranigian How do we know you: Pine Tree Camp. Why are you cool: cause I just am... Why are we cool: Cause you make this world a better place:) What is your favorite dessert: ANYTHING CHOCOLATE! Other comments: I miss & Love you both so much
submitted on June 10, 2005 11:24 AM EST Name: Kathleen How do we know you: I am the cutest niece ever Why are you cool: 'cause I am so cute Why are we cool: 'cause you think I’m so cute What is your favorite dessert: anything aunt b gives me ... and ice cream Other comments: I miss you "b" and "kiss" hugs and kisses
submitted on June 10, 2005 11:10 AM EST Name: T-Smack How do we know you: I am who I am and made you Why are you cool: Because of the universe Why are we cool: you are both diggity cool What is your favorite dessert: ice cream Other comments: yo yo please check your phone messages!
submitted on June 10, 2005 10:24 AM EST Name: Shellie How do we know you: I fed beer to Chris Why are you cool: because of u Why are we cool: because you are u What is your favorite dessert: wine Other comments: way to go
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