2019: Day 5 - A Day in the Life

Our last day in Guatemala was one of ups and downs. A few of the group felt slightly under the weather, but everyone rallied to have a great last activity together which was cooking some authentic Guatemalan food together (shout out to Gio)! I, personally, met my sponsored family and had a wonderful experience interacting with the entire family.

We spent time learning how individual families use their talents to support their families. We split up into multiple groups. Juan Jose demonstrated his talents and artistry in jewelry, specifically silver-smithing (and some of us spent too much money). Worry dolls were made and all were impressed and de-stressed. 

A few went to a coffee farm and were amazed at how it is made. The passion Felix put into creating his art of coffee was great to see. We took a joy ride in the back of a truck (shout out to Ally) up the side of a mountain to pick some coffee beans (red ones only). To finish the coffee adventure, we saw the process.

Another group, went to see how clay turns into the national bird of Guatemala the Quetzal. The third group went to experience weaving. We also had the privilege to attend the blessing of the house with the family we had built the house throughout the week for. This was truly emotional and a gift for all of us. To top it off we felt a tremor and it shook our minds. 

Thanks Guatemala, we have had an amazing week!!

2019: Day 4 - Wakami

By Lori M.

Our schedule simply said “Visit to Wakami home.” 

I had no idea what was in store for me, emotionally. My group was accompanied by Isobel, who interpreted and shared the success story of the Wakami women. Our bus parked on the street and we walked through an unassuming narrow passage with tall, white-washed cinder block walls on either side. As we walked away from the busy street we stepped closer to the little oasis of Marla’s home. It would be impossible to not feel the calm and peace in this place. By the end of the visit I also felt empowerment which I won’t be able to describe in words. 

Marla met us in her sunny courtyard, and we were surrounded by her fellow Wakami “sisters.” At first they looked like ordinary, smiling Guatemalan women……wives, moms and grandmothers. Isobel interpreted and unfolded their stories. These “ordinary” women became truly extraordinary in my tearful eyes. The hopes and dreams identified by Marla, Enma, Yessica and others are not so different than my own. They desire education for their kids, a safe and healthy home, good food, and mostly, the ability to independently provide. Some of these women did not have the spousal support to contribute to their dreams. Instead of allowing life and circumstances to just happen, they courageously chose to take ownership of the future of their families.  

Wakami is an organization, started by women to empower other women. Their skill, craft or trade is made marketable worldwide through wakamiglobal.com.

2019: Day 4 - Common Hope

Today the Allina Team continued partnering with Common Hope through numerous projects. At the Common Hope campus, members of our team assisted in translating sponsorship letters, also updating the library – changing the room decoration from the solar system theme to a focus on reading, and scrubbing the soccer/basketball/pickleball court inside and out until it shone.

Today, the panels our teams built throughout the week were finally assembled into a house for a family in the San Juan neighborhood of Antigua.  With some luck, expert direction from L.J. and Michelle, and the skilled hands of Edwin and Reynoldo, we were able to transform the foundation laid earlier this week -- walls, rafters, a roof, windows, doors – into a house!  A life changing week both for the family, who will make this house their home, and for the Allina Health team who have had the opportunity to participate in this project. 

 

2019: Day 3 - Common Hope

Hola mis amigos!                                                                                                                             

It’s another perfect 75 degrees and sunny day in Antigua (sorry Minnesota). Team 2 has spent the last couple of days working hard on constructing a home in San Juan Del Obispo for a family of seven. The family’s monthly income is $195. They squat on their land, which is 10 x 10 meters and their current home is a block house with a ceramic brick floor. They purchase water and electricity from the land owner and have a flush type toilet and a gas stove for cooking. Their home is furnished with two beds, five stools, two tables and two dressers for the seven of them.

Before the family was granted a new house, they were required to work 100 hours helping on the grounds of Common Hope. Then that’s where our job came in. We started off the day yesterday on site at the new house by mixing concrete for the floor. After a little muscle work, a lot of sunscreen, and rationing our water because there were no available restrooms, we had ourselves a finished concrete floor! Step one done, BOOM!

Today’s construction work was just as satisfying as smoothing out a concrete floor. I understand now why they are called power tools, because after using a terrifying large drill I feel pretty empowered. This morning we constructed multiple panels that will make up the walls and doors of the new home. This afternoon we will deliver the panels to the house site and begin to see the home really come together.

It's an exciting process to work amongst some of the most fun, caring people of Allina Health and come together to create a new home for a family in need. I’m looking forward to some more hands on, gritty work and continuing to move the vision of Common Hope forward.

Day 3 for Team 2 for some also consisted of spending time in the daycare and library at Common Hope. The daycare experience involved spending time and playing with children of staff members of Common Hope. The daycare staff welcomed us with socks so we could get right down on the floor to play with 2-3 year olds. Even though there was a language barrier, it was clear the staff resolved a conflict between two toddler girls, over a doll, calmly yet with authority. One of the Allina Health team members responded quickly when a five-month old baby awoke crying. The soothing calmed the baby almost instantly. One of the highlights of the daycare experience was when a toddler finally decided to play catch.  Again it was apparent speaking the same language was not necessary to interact. The library involvement involved getting the library ready for the school year, so our craft skills were put to use decorating walls and ceiling. The library was transformed into a welcoming environment for Common Hope families.