Chemainus Rotarians were pleased to lend a hand to various projects in San Antonio Palopo for the fifth year in a row.
Tom Andrews was the veteran of the group making the trip to the region for 12 days, accompanied by Derek Hardacker, Susan Martin and David McCormick.
Hardacker had never been to Central America before, with his closest destination being Mexico, and it opened his eyes.
“I’ve seen over the last four years the reaction from the people that have gone,” he said. “I wanted to experience that myself.
“I found it very humbling when you go down and work with people who have next to nothing and yet are still happy.”
The connection to San Antonio Palopo stems from a Rotarian who lives there a portion of the year and the Chemainus group is happy to continue to serve the people there.
“I would go again,” said Hardacker. “I think what Rotary does down there is outstanding and it definitely makes a difference to people’s lives.”
It was a shock to the system for the group members after being in 30 to 35 degree Celsius weather and returning home to the sudden cold snap we’ve been experiencing here.
“I was out shoveling my driveway (Sunday) morning and not appreciating it very well,” quipped Hardacker.
A date is still being arranged for a presentation about the trip to be made to the rest of the Chemainus club.
Following are excerpts that outlined some of the activities:
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We started work building a retaining wall and part of the foundation for Clara and Israel’s home. Derek and Tom helped digging trenches, moving concrete blocks, doing masonry work or pitching in wherever needed.
David and Chris Chart from the Nelson Rotary Club ordered material, scoped out their site in more detail, and arranged for delivery.
Susan helped out at the women’s centre with the seniors luncheon and the after-school children’s reading program.
After ‘work.’ we filled 26 soccer balls with air ready for donation to the local school.
People are happy here with the bare necessities of life. We are grateful for what we have and should focus more on our needs instead of our wants.
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The family of Jeremia and Marie Yolanda and their five children lived in a tarp-covered four post house. David and Chris built them a new home out of laminate which will be wind and water proof. The children helped out and greeted our help with open arms every visit.
As an aside, David took them fruit one day which included an apple. The children were thrilled, as unbeknownst to us, they only get an apple once a year at Christmas.
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The entire Chemainus Guatemala Rotary Team joined in a celebration of the new house built by David and Chris. The celebration, put on by the Yolanda family and the community, was to say a big thank you for the much-needed help. The home owners Jeremia and Marie Yolanda were very happy, as were their children Henry, David, Sandra, and Milton.
Sandra is so happy to have a new home, a mat to sleep on and warm blankets. The family couldn’t thank us enough. Three of the boys escorted us about a kilometre back to the main road as we left. It was sad to say goodbye but rewarding to experience and share with them a new beginning.
Part of the celebration included presentation of new shoes for the excited kids.
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A nutrition and gas stove program is being managed by a local women’s group in San Antonio Palopo known as the Directiva. These 12 women manage a weekly nutrition clinic for 50 children who range in age from six months to five years old. The children’s progress is monitored by weighing and measuring them.The Directiva is well-organized and ready to roll out the program. They were very appreciative of our support and hosted a luncheon in our honour on Sunday, our last day before heading home.
It was a great experience for all of us.
The Directiva is also managing implementation of a gas stove program in town. Nelson, Chemainus and Nanaimo Rotary clubs have provided funds for stoves, tanks and propane gas. The families receiving the stoves must attend weekly info sessions about nutrition, make a slow cooker Wonder Bag and contribute funds towards the stoves and propane. The funds they contribute for propane are less than the cost of wood. The savings can be used for food and shelter.
