(Developing World Proverb)
Let me offer you my bipolar view of our world this evening - One fun and one that moved the day.
First, a real, up close reflection about today's trip. We headed to San Pedro which is on the eastern shore of Lago de Atitlan. It is much larger than Cerro de Oro from yesterday. And, it has more wealth. Several of the streets are paved in a way that would look familiar to any American suburban neighborhood and the Policia were present. It definitely had that tourist feel. The facade was thin though as we soon discovered.
I won't repeat the setting in detail as it mirrored the sadness and concern we saw yesterday. We do want to share a short clip of Jorge's translation of the instruction being given by a local public school teacher to a local Mayan family. Please note the environs and furnishing. This is their home. This type of family space is not uncommon. And, this is not a twilight recollection of a passing dream. This is their world that we are able to see, touch and smell.
The video is a little long (about three minutes), but well worth the time. Don't forget to turn your sound up all the way. [PLEASE NOTE: We worked on uploading this video for several hours Friday evening and the local technology just won't cooperate. We'll ask HHI to post it on their website in the future. Our apologies. The following photo is of Wilma and Andrea with a local family and their new healthy water future. The smiles tell the story in every case. Again, our apologies.)
In 2007, the World Health Organization reported that families who live in structures with concrete floors experience a significant decrease in infant mortality and infection. As you can imagine, crystal water is the next blessing for any kingdom. That is our dream.
The second video is a quick view of a few of the families that met us today. They are not only eager, but understanding of our strange gringo ways. We met at their public school that HHI is promoting as the command center of learning and health. A local teach assumes a leadership role under Jorge's tutilege.
A LIGHTER MOMENT IF YOU PLEASE
We all wear red to be the traveling billboards of the community's efforts. This includes these two cohorts, our modern day Abbot and Costello. These are our high energy amigos - Anthony (white hat) and Scott (red).
I'll let you guess which one is which, but as a hint, Anthony has a boat named "Talk Time," and Scott is keen to twist a verbal clip.
SANTIAGO'S ONE GREAT IDEA
Well, before I close, let me offer this thought. The team is running full throttle and sharing mixed emotions about what we are learning here. There is much to consider so I asked one of our young (volunteer) local guides, "If you were El Presidente of Guatemala and could do one thing, what would it be?" He had never really pondered that opportunity and decided to think about it for awhile. Several hours and many families later he offered a well considered dream. His vision focused on a way to increase food production to maybe two harvests a year. The first to feed the family and second to sell at market. (Do I dare say that this would seem to be a Monsanto moment if America led the way.)
He argued that this would not only offer work for the men allowing them to stay with their families, but it would provide money to spend on the children at school. With just a little more than subsistence earnings (about $600 a year per family now) Santiago reasoned and a little basic education (currently most children end their public education after 6th grade), family health could be improved and fear of the future could be re-cast into hopes and dreams.
Thoughts from a wise 24 year old don't you think?
Paz
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