Nurses Final days of Volunteer Work at Casa De Sion

AS YOU CAN READ, THIS WAS PROBABLY A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR THESE NURSES. FOR THE FAMILIES THEY SERVED IT WAS HOPE THAT THEY MIGHT FEEL LESS PAIN OR GET HELP FOR AN ILLNESS THEY COULD NOT AFFORD A DOCTOR OR MEDICINE FOR. MEDICAL CARE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR MOST OF THE MAYANS IN THE COMMUNITIES WE WORK IN. PLEASE DONATE AND WITH YOUR MONEY INVEST IN THE MEDICAL HELATH OF THOSE WHO CAN NOT AFFORD IT.

Day 7: Another beautiful morning. Everyone traveled to a local village Chutistancia (pretty sure that is spelled wrong-sorry). We had to make two trips to fit all of us and the equipment. I was working with the NP that day and was really excited to start working. We set up in a large building and made a make shift exam room. I worked with Susan for most of the day and switched to working with Paul the last half. It was a fantastic day and I learned so much from both of them. I even helped to diagnose a few problem and suggest possible treatments and alternatives for other ailments. It was great to see what I could be doing and helping with after I obtain my DNP and start traveling. It also made me want the degree more! 

      Lunch was brought to us and was a delicious chicken salad sandwich and banana. I also walked over to the store across the street and bought a pepsi made with sugar cane instead of corn syrup. Definitely tastes different and I like it better! We then headed back to the clinic in 2 loads. 

       After returning the girls all painted the little girls fingernails and then each others. We also handed out the rest of the toys and played with the kids for a while. Then we had dinner and our team meeting. Afterwards we all set out to do our assigned chore and clean up the clinic and the grounds. It was a great team effort and was done with time to spare. We all played cards and a couple rounds of Mafia (a fun and interesting game) before heading to bed. 

   Day 8: This was to be our last full day in Guatemala. The morning started as beautiful as always. We had our breakfast and loaded up in the van and Samy's car to make the journey to Panajachel. On the way down we stopped at the outlook once more. This time the view was unobstructed and breathtaking. We took a quick group photo and continued on our journey. We arrived in Pana and were already overwhelmed with the magnificent view of the volcanos and the texture of the land, not to mention the beautiful goods all around us. But we did not have time for shopping and sightseeing just yet, we had a boat to catch. The entire group finally made it onto the boat and we made the lovely and relaxing 45 minute trip across Lake Atitlan. 

    We then arrived in Santiago Atitlan. After docking we met Samy's grandparents who welcomed us with a beautiful poem! We then started our journey into the city with some of the best tour guides of the city. Shopping was an experience I will never forget and only wish it were the same in the states. All the handmade goods were so beautiful. We stopped at a few art galleries as well and bought some paintings. We did find an interesting fruit which we bought and tried. It was really good. I still haven't researched the name or anything but you should try it if you find it! :) A large number of the group stopped at a restaurant for lunch. My group was a little late arriving so we stopped at the next door taqueria. I had rapiditas- amazing!! Then it was time to journey back across the lake and venture around Pana. I did find many wonderful things in Pana as well. 

     The group then piled into the vans and headed back to Casa de Sion. After returning we had dinner which consisted of rice, tortillas, and envueltos de ejotes (They were so yummy I looked up the recipe and made them last night.). After dinner we brought out Tyler's pinata and watched him enjoy it. Shortly after, all of the interpreters except Adam packed up and rode with Samy to Guatemala city for the night. It was an emotional goodbye but a happy one. We grew to love each other that week and bonded in a way I never thought imaginable. Afterwards we stayed up playing cards and enjoying our last night. 

Day 9:  The morning was glorious yet again but also a little dreary. The clouds were pretty thick and obstructed some of the views. It helped make the leaving more bearable.  Dominga made us another wonderful breakfast and we packed up. The ride to Guatemala City was long but it was great to see the countryside and spend some time with everyone. When we arrived to the airport we saw Diana, Matt, and Taylor again and said another goodbye. Katie was staying another night and made a quick get away before anyone could start tearing (she doesn't like goodbyes). Once inside we all checked our bags and made our way to the food court for lunch. I ate at the Pollo Campero one last time and then we said our goodbyes to Susan and Adam. And then headed to our security checkpoint. After security we then met up with Adam, Matt, and Taylor again haha. We walked them to their gate and said our final goodbye for the trip and then found our gate. It was an uneventful plane ride and connection in Miami. But it was wonderful to hear my guys voice and see them on facetime again. The flight home was also uneventful but an exciting landing. We all could not wait to see our family and return home. It was a late night but I believe I had more of a culture shock arriving in the USA than in Guatemala! It was an amazing trip where lifetime bonds were made. I hope to return to Guatemala soon and even start venturing to other countries. I also hope to see everyone from the trip again soon. 

AS 

GIVING A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT

 We try really hard to help the Mayans we serve to become more self-sufficient. We feed starving children because they can not feed themselves and their parents have no means to buy the food. Now while they are young is a critical developmental window. If they don't get the nutrition now, it can cause permanent damage.But we do require that any one who receives our services gives back. We work to raise all the food for our programs and raise it organically. Families that we serve are required to help in our hugh community gardens. Students that receive scholarships have to help in the gardens as well as with cleaning and washing clothes and working with the volunteers. We want it to be a principle of Casa de Sion that we are all sharing in our abundances. You, our partners, have an abundance of time and or money; the Mayans have an abundance of need.  Well now I will let the pictures speak for themselves

WE GROW ALL KINDS OF VEGETABLES

THE HOOP HOUSE HOUSES TOMATOES

THE HOUSE OF THE GUARDIAN WHO GUARDS THE CHICKENS FROM HUMAN PREDATORS, BUILT BY SERVICE MENTORS

WE USE THE SUN TO DRY OUR CLOTHES, THUS NO DRYER BILLS NOR REPAIR OF SAID DRYERS

SUNSHINE MAKES THEM SMELL BETTER ANY WAY

EVERYONE WASHES THEIR OWN DISHES FROM KIDS IN FEEDING PROGRAMS TO VOLUNTEERS: SAVES ON STAFF

MORE VEGGIES

THIS PROUD MAMA WASHES CLOTHES IN TRADE FOR US PAYING SCHOLARSHIPS ON HER 3 SONS; TWO OF WHICH ARE NOW IN HIGH SCHOOL

OUR NEWEST SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROJECT: EGGS AND THEN MEAT

WE HAVE 17 ACRES OF LAND AND PLENTY OF IDEAS ON HOW TO BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO INVEST IN MAYAN SELF-SUFFICIENCY? YOU COULD BE THE ONE TO PARTNER WITH US FOR FRUIT TREES, OR PIGS, OR MORE CHICKENS? MAKE THE INVESTMENT OF A LIFETIME

JUST WRITE ME AT  20.vicki@gmail.com. OR DONATE ON OUR DONATE BUTTON.

Helping the elderly

Remember the elderly Guatemalan mayan woman who could not walk and her poor elderly husband had to carry her outside their humble home to use their outhouse bathroom. They asked for a wheelchair and we were able to get them one. Here are the new photos of her in it.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US SO WE CAN HELP OTHERS

VICKI DALIA

DIRECTOR OF http://www.safehomesforchildren.org

PLEASE LIKE US ON http://www.facebook.com/casadesion

Volunteer vacations: days 5 and 6 for the nursing team

Thanks again to Mysti for the blogging and for Katie's nursing team: 

Hello again! Breakfast consisted of pancakes, oatmeal, and bananas.Today was the day I traveled. Nine of us went to Ojo del Agua,  a local village. before leaving though a group of us went down the hill by the clinic to explore the gardens and country side. It was a beautiful view. Una Vista Bella!

   I was assigned to triage this day with Emily. We were able to find some things and play with the kids while they waited. It was a slow start in the morning because some didn't know about it or they did not realize it was free. After a couple hours it did pick up and we were able to help 44 people throughout the day. Lunch was a stir fry vegetable beef mix on top of rice. Absolutely wonderful!!

     On the way back to Casa de Sion we stopped in Godinez for some treats and to pick up Tyler's pinata. We had a few hours before dinner when we returned so we were all able to hang out and enjoy each other. Played cards as well as journaled. Tonight was when Samy arrived. He is the reason we had such great interpreters and also partly responsible for the trip in general. He was great to get acquainted with.  I again forgot to write down the meal for dinner... But I do know that most of us stayed up and learned how to do a couple dances. Adam and I spent most of the time talking about life in general. It was a fun evening!

   Day 6: Today a group woke up early and headed to Godinez for some fresh baked goods! It was fun seeing the fresh items and sharing with everyone the yummy goodness. We also bought Tyler's birthday present while there and enjoyed the local life. After heading back to Casa de Sion we ate breakfast. Eggs, watermelon, banana, and incaprina. Incaprina is a drink mix used to supplement their diets. It is a replacement for milk and has other added nutrients to help the children get everything they need to grow healthily. It is really good.

   We were all staying at Casa de Sion today for the Mother's and babies day. Early on in the day we had a baby who was extreme FTT; she weighed 8 lbs and was 7 months old. She had a beautiful little smile and we did what we could for her. It was a hard experience for a lot of us. Lunch was another chicken soup with a red base. It had rice and green beans in it and was

    We finished the clinic early enough that we were able to take another tuk tuk to Godinez for some more shopping. A tuk tuk is a motorized small wagon type transport. It was fun to ride in them. I did not write down dinner or evening activity again but I know that a couple times we had tostadas with a black bean puree and parmesan served with fried plaintains. And I remember having black beans and rice with sweet bread so just fill in where you would like! :) It was all great!

Ready for the crowds

The lucky people getting care

Teams love to love on the kids

COME SEE US AND BRING A TEAM. HELP LOVE ON THE KIDS

THANKS
VICKI DALIA
20.vicki@gmail.com
LIKE us on http://www.facebook.com/casadesion

Remember The Widows and The orphans

help us invest in this family so the kids can be educated and move out of the poverty cycle.

lamina on the roof just in time before the rain clouds in the background move in

REMEMBER THE WIDOW AND THE ORPHANED CHILDREN WE WROTE YOU ABOUT. Well we donated the lamina to fix their house. Here are the pictures and just in time for the rainy season. We also had one person donate enough money to help them with a months worth of rice and beans.

Can you help with the Next month???

Please invest in this family and help them move out of the poverty cycle. She has no education.

thanks

Vicki Dalia

please like us on http://www.facebook.com/casadesion

Nursing team Blog: Day 4

Guatemala Day 4

    Another beautiful morning in Los Robles! Breakfast was pineapple, mango, eggs (scrambled), and sweet bread. After breakfast a group of 5-6 learned how to play the card game Scum while waiting for our day to start. A fun and interesting game. Today half of the group would be traveling and half staying here. I was assigned to registration at Casa de Sion. 

     I again started the day off making a cheat sheet of commonly used phrases. We did see a lot of patients and I became better and better at the conversations. I even registered a few patients without an interpreter! We were able to bring them in and prepare them faster than the practitioner could see them so I would have lull's in the day where I helped other areas or played with children waiting. The dentist was also seeing patients again that day so the pharmacy was running full tilt and I mainly helped there since I had some experience already. Lunch was an interesting sandwich. White bread with mayo, ketchup, onion, ham, and tomato. It was different. It was served with a cucumber, carrot, and lettuce salad. 

     After lunch we had two positive pregnancy tests and the practitioner removed 2 small bugs from a little girls ear! 

I was also able to help a woman find a pair of glasses to help her see. She had come in mentioning not being able to see very well but did not make a big deal out of it. After going through many pairs she finally found one and it was obvious it changed her. She was so excited to be able to see again and then other women started asking for help to be able to pick out glasses to see if their vision could be helped. It was a wonderful feeling being able to give them instant gratification and they were all so appreciative even though I did nothing it was all the glasses! I also had the chance to play with a baby! Which was a blast! I was apparently tired that night and did not write down what we had for dinner or what we did after wards. I know it was wonderful and we had a good time!

the teams love hamming it up with the kids

A picture of our blogger on the left, Mysti Motz

Never Too Young To Fundraise

About a week ago I got an email from an awesome mom from New York. She and her family were going to Guatemala to visit family on vacation. Her 8 year old Girl Scout daughter wanted to do something to help  Safe Homes For Children and the little ones of Guatemala. So they decided Raquel, the 8 year old would do a lemonade stand. Here are the posters they designed and in quotes is the story of the beginnings of this fundraiser. My granddaughter, Katie , did a fundraiser before she went to Guatemala when she was 4. So here's to all the compassionate youngsters of the world and their wonderful moms. Wish we had more. We will do a follow up blog to show pictures of the actual event. The rest of the story is told by Raquel's mom

" Well about 2 weeks ago, we announced to our children that we are confirmed to go to Guatemala in August. Although they were super excited to go, Raquel was somewhat silent. That night when she went to bed, she prayed and started crying. She explained that she cannot go to Guatemala on vacation when there is so many poor children there. She said that God had told her to do something for those kids. That she would be sharing some of the blessings that she has had in her life here. Needless to say I was moved. I immediately started looking online for orphanages in Guatemala."

Raquel is 8 years and a Girl Scout from Bayside, New York. 

Part one of a nurses volunteer vacation at Casa de Sion

Buenos Dias! We awoke to a beautiful sunrise and a sweet smell coming from the kitchen. The corn grinder drowned out the rooster this morning. :) Dominga made us french toast and oatmeal with bananas and pineapple. The oatmeal was already sweetened and the texture was more soup like than I make in America but it was very good. I believe it may have had other grains in it as well.

         Patients started arriving about 8:30. A local man we had met at the look-out the previous day had come to be seen and was the first patient most of us interacted with. We were able to give him a walker instead of the sticks he was using and some medications for other ailments.

         After caring for him we all started setting up shop in our stations for the day. I was assigned pharmacy with Amy and we started writing down some common phrases that we used or wrote on the bags. The interpreters were vital to explaining the correct dosing and times as well as what the medicine was used for. All of the interpreters were patient with each of us and worked extremely hard to make sure both sides understood what the other had said. It was a bumpy first day trying to learn what all need to be done, how each other works, and the best way to serve the people. I know I personally relied on Taylor a lot that first day to help me learn phrasing and to speak my knowledge to the patients. Pharmacy was also very busy due to a dentist who was seeing patients in the Casa de Sion building and sending them to us for antibiotics and pain medicine. It was wonderful to see everyone working so hard and together after such a brief introduction. 

        We broke for lunch around midday. Half of our group did some teaching to the children who attend school at Casa de Sion. Bethany and I talked about nutrition with them while Amy and Kelsey discussed dental and hand hygiene and Emily and Kelly taught them body parts in English. The kids are so smart and were very interactive. We enjoyed teaching them and learning what they already know. :) Lunch consisted of chicken soup and tortillas. The soup had squash, carrot, potato, and pumpkin in it. Super yummy! After Lunch we finished seeing patients at the clinic and started organizing medication and supplies for the traveling team the next day. 

       While waiting for dinner, a small group of us ventured across the street to see the corn grinder. After making some fresh dough the woman politely invited us to watch her make tortillas. We played with her children while she made us fresh tortillas. They were so good. Dinner was served by the time we returned. We had spaghetti with parmesan and banana bread. Then came the team meeting where we discussed our day and the plan for the next. Afterwards a group of us played cards and some learned a new dance from Diana. Then it was off to bed to make sure we were rested for tomorrow.

Baby Karla Survives: What Now?

 Thank The Lord, looks like baby Karla is going to make it.  Safe Homes For Children and Casa de Sion paid for her transfusion and the meds she needed. The family stepped up to the plate and took care her of her there. Here is the email I received form my staff . " She left the hospital today... She is much better now and from now on she is gonna be living here in Panajachel with the same relatives, but we are sure they are gonna be taking better care of her now... We will keep checking on her too... We bought her diapers, she got the blood and they gave me today a couple of medical prescriptions that she needs to take. I will go right now and buy them so Dominga can take them to her family.

I haven´t got the money yet, but I think it will come in tonight or tomorrow morning. I'll let you know."

There are all kinds of orphaned babies all over Guatemala now. Ones just like Karla who have been abandoned by their moms and are taken in by relatives who really don't want them. Look into this child's eyes and tell me you do not want to help her. I have done it in person and can not forget her. She touches me in the same way that Steven Curtis Chapman was touched and thus wrote the following song

"What Now" by Steven Curtis Chapman"
I saw the face of Jesus 
In a little orphan girl 
She was standing in the corner 
On the other side of the world 
And I heard the voice of Jesus 
Gently whisper to my heart 
Ddn't you say you wanted to find Me 
Well, here I am, here you are 
Chorus: 
So what now 
What will you do now that you've found Me? 
What now 
What will you do with this treasure you've found 
I know I may not look like what you expected 
But if you'll remember 
This is right where I said I would be 
You found me, what now? 

So what now folks? What now are you being lead to do? Help us get our orphanage opened so there is a place for babies like Karla to feel wanted and loved.

Can you give up something this week or this month to do a child sponsorship?

Can you make a pledge to do some of the construction we need done.? heck build the third floor we need and we will put your name on the orphanage.

Write me at 20.vicki@gmail.com

or just donate with the donate button.

Guatemala Went From 500 orphanages in 2008 to 130 Now

KARLA AGAIN IN HER DARK ROOM

THE LITTLE BOY IN FRONT WITH THE BEIGE PANTS HAS NO FAMILY

We have a fundraising volunteer who is very bilingual and loves our projects and our kids. He was in Guatemala last week doing some personal business and doing some business for Safe Homes and Casa de Sion. One of the things he did was meet with Edy, the top social  worker in the country. Edy is the one who will do all the paperwork to get us opened up and help us hire a qualified staff.

Here are some quotes from Edy on why and how we will open up

"The meeting with Edy Tum went very well. I picked his brain and learned a lot in asking him many questions. We walked the property and discussed the requirements and he gave me a little pamphlet with some of the requirements. Basically it was in 2008 that the country went from 500 down to 130 orphanages."

Folks , if you think about this, you realize that with no adoptions happening and orphanages cut by 2/3 makes life harder for the abandoned kids. EDY IS THE SOCIAL WORKER OF CHOICE USED BY ALL THE AMERICANS TO GET OPENED UP.

"Now he is working with about 7 other orphanages to reopen and get licensed. I asked if he has time and he says he has a team of people to help him get the work done quickly. I got many of his references as mentioned on the phone."
"The bottom line is he is at $6,000 for the entire service. He says that he can not come down due to all the expenses, agencies and 21% taxes that he must pay on this amt.He estimates 5-6 such consultation sessions. The $6,000 does include him either locating or creating the lost form. He will want 50% down ($3,000) to start and then 25% when he gets to the end of doing his part and the the last 25% when all the agencies get their inspections done and you are approved. His part will take 2 months. He estimates that it will take 6-8 months from the start point with agencies involved. He felt that your facilities were good and adequate for the most part. Just a few adjustments would be necessary. "

WE CAN NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP. IF YOU HAVE EVER WANTED TO OPEN AN ORPHANAGE OR HELP IN AN ORPHANS LIFE, NOW IS THE TIME. HERE IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO OPEN. WE NEED TO START NOW FOR THE SAKE OF THESE LITTLE ONES.

"Here is a list of the things that you will be needing to comply: 

1. a Medical Doctor that will support your program and be the center's doctor. He would need to be a part of receiving new children and examening them. He says that this would be probably accomplished one day per month at Q500 for that day. He said that he thought you had someone. He suggested that they live close by. 

2. Physiologist that would come in once per week. This person would cost about Q500 at coming once per week. 

3. Social Worker. This is a full time job keeping track of the kids and their records and testing them, examining them. Q2,000 to the vry lowest of Q1,000. I asked if he had an interest in this position. He said the state will not let him due to his commitments. He said he would train the new hiree that you hire. I like Edy. He seems genuine.

Approval from the following agencies: 

1. CNA

2. Secretaria de Bienestar

3. PGN Procuramiento General Secretaria de Bienestar Social

4. PDH Procuraradia de Derechos Humanos

5. Social....something of the offie of Social....for the President.

He said you need to define your objective for the center and especially build your profile.  then it can be worked on better. 

Things to do

1. Separate boys and girls (except under 2 yrs old)  just build a private bathroom for Mario on 2nd floor and put boys up there with him and then do the same to the first floor for woman in charge of the children. 

2. Put up a curtain rod bar bathrooms. 

3. Fence in the area for the children specifically....like in front of highway especialy. This could be done with inexpensive chicken wire or something. Chain link fence would be nice. Sorry! 

4. Put up a play ground area with the equipment. Maybe have some portable soccor posts there and a basket ball standard. 

5. Separate bathrooms for boys and girls...no exceptions 

6. 6 max beds for your room sizes. Bunk beds are fine, except for infants who would need cribs. 

7. Build separate bathroom for Mario and new woman in charge on their respective close. 

8. Put in the furnature tha you need. dressers, computers, desks, etc. 

9. You could have as many as 30 in the space that you have without the 3rd floor work. 

10. Everything will need little laminated signs that indicate their use and application, ie., parking lot, play ground, study area, Boys Bathroom, Girls Bathroom, Kitchen, Eating area, storeroom, on dressors with their name on them. 

11. Fire Extenguishors. One on each floor and one in the kitchen. 

12. Kids need to be somewhat organized and segregated by age like this

Babyies, infantes together up to 2 yrs. old. 

2-4 yr olds togther. Boys and Girls need to be separated at this age in living quarters and bathrooms. 

6-10 yr olds together. 

11-15 yr olds

There must be one adult for every 10 children that is over 6 yrs old and then one adult for every 4 children under 5 yrs old.

Every child will need to be assigned by a judge to be recieved into the orphanage. They will be presented to the judge and then authorized by him or her. I asked what judge we could work with that was decent to deal with. He suggested Ricardo Gomez. He said he is, accesible or easy to talk to. He has jurisdiction over Sacatepequez, Solola and Chimaltenango where he and other judges are based.

You and he would need to define the profile and rules and regulations. You can define what type of center you want to focus on and then try to stay with that scope. You can reject an assigned child if you wanted based on this profile...not that you would, but you are incharge."

please help. donate in any way you can

thanks

Vicki 20,vicki@gmail.com