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