January 2019

Good afternoon!

And happy new year! I hope 2019 brings each of you many blessings.

 Before I dive into my most recent trip to Guatemala, I wanted to share details about the Christmas party we had for the children back on December 21st. Like usual, I included links to all the pictures via Flickr at the end of the email. I was so happy to hear from Lucy and Ingrid that the party was a huge success! Each child received a small gift and a new outfit. A traditional Guatemalan lunch (chicken with rice and tamales) was served. Although Ingrid made just enough for the 22 children, there was plenty of food left over for the mothers to enjoy as well. God decided to multiply tamales and chicken instead of loaves and fishes! The children also broke open two piñatas that were donated by our friends in Guatemala. For some of the children, this was the first piñata they were able to enjoy. What a great way to celebrate Christmas: spreading joy and helping create special memories for these sweet children!!

I was lucky enough to return to Guatemala for a couple weeks at the beginning of January. In addition to overseeing my breakfast program, I brought some donations for Marta, the midwife/nurse and the local firefighters in El Tejar. They were all grateful for the gloves, over the counter medications, wound care dressings, ultrasound gel, etc. Marta invited me back to her home, where she showed me the ultrasound machine she was given over 30 years ago! It is a handheld Doppler that allows her to see pregnant women from her home office. While the machine works fine, I think it may be time for an upgrade! I plan to look for a newer model to give to her during my next trip.

As my breakfast program, Juntos Podemos Cambiar la Niñez (Together We Can Change Childhood) moves into month 4, I wanted to share with you some of the stories behind the families we serve.

Three of our children, Iris (2 yrs), Dayana (3 yrs), and José Javier (6 yrs) are being raised by their paternal grandmother, Margarita. Their mother tragically passed away from a ruptured appendix after she was sent away from the hospital where she sought treatment. The doctors thought she was having episodes of colicky, abdominal pain. Since she went to the free government-run hospital, they did not do any further tests to see what was wrong. Their father is currently unemployed and finds work on a day to day basis. Margarita, who is in her 60s, sells homemade food to help support her family. One day she dropped by and brought us a full meal to show her gratitude towards our project. She offered the best thing she could, and her gesture truly meant the world to me!

Another mother from our community is deaf and cannot speak. Her daughter, Julissa (8 yrs), uses sign language to communicate with her mother. She also acts as her translator. One of the other mothers made the comment “My child eats more here than she ever does at home.”

It was amazing to see the friendships being formed not only between the children but between the mothers too! The mothers are willing to help in any way that they can. All of our mothers show their gratitude for our project: through their food, words, and hugs. Most of our children come from single mothers, who go to incredible lengths to care for their children. While our project was initially for the children, it seems to me that the mothers have built a community as well!

I was overjoyed to spend time with the children during my trip. Each child is so special in their own way. We were able to celebrate the start of the new school year with a pizza party. Almost all of our children study in the public school located about 5 blocks from our current location. Since there are over 1,000 students, the girls study in the morning and the boys study in the afternoon. Even though it is a public school, the children wear uniforms. Thanks to our friend Tobie Spears, each child received a new backpack and school supplies for the 2019 school year!

To date, 17 of our 22 children have individual sponsors. We also have about 8 children waiting to join our program once we have the funds to accept them. Juntos Podemos is able to grow and help more children because of our wonderful sponsors! I cannot thank you all enough for your support. In order to show my gratitude, I wanted to send each sponsor something from the children and I! Please send me your address so I can mail you the surprise! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, let me know and I can send you more information on our sponsorship program. 

As we move into 2019, I hope our program continues to impact the lives of the children and families in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Whether it’s in Guatemala or the States, a friend or a stranger, know that someone needs you and your compassion! “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”  

Thank you again for your support and devotion to our children. May God continue to be present in your lives through His blessings, love, and compassion.

Sincerely,

Victoria Masucci

Javier (left) and Jonathan enjoying cereal

#volunteer #charity