Monday, June 8, 2009

Volunteer Program posted by Debbie Clark

Guatemala Children's Project is proud to announce the introduction of the “Volunteer Program” for the first time this year. We currently have three young women from CANADA.....Gina Primivera, Emily Schnoor and Becky Smith, who have selfishly given up their summer to come and volunteer their time to the children of “NiƱos De Guatemala”. All three girls arrived May 14, along with Kevin Callahan, President of the Board. We were so fortunate to have Mike and Ken Mangum (Board members) arrive a few days earlier and worked to get the Volunteer House clean and ready for the girl’s arrival. We are so fortunate to have these men on the Board.

I arrived Sunday, May 17th. I was there to train and teach the girls their “daily” responsibilities. Volunteering is a very hard job to do at times. You have to get up early everyday, be prepared with projects, games, etc...for the children. All at the same time teaching them to brush their teeth, clean their rooms and do chores. Oh...and give one on one attention...the kids LOVE attention. Even the babies demand your attention. Most days the volunteers are exhausted when it is time to leave. I can tell you while I was there seeing the girls in action, the joy, love and attention they gave non-stop, was amazing. They had to learn quickly and even do things that they have never done before. Oh...did I mention the girls are also responsible to keep the Volunteer House clean at all times. They cook their own meals, shop for food, wash their own clothes and keep track of all donations that are being taken up to the orphanage house. They have had to learn a lot of things in such a short period of time. The children oh my goodness....LOVE the girls...they don't like it if the girls are not there...the girls do get a day off once a week...to do site seeing, shop for souvenirs or if they want...just SLEEP all day.

Through the remainder of the summer we will have two other volunteers join the first three girls... Jamie Robinson from St. George, Utah and Rebecca Hainey from Washington, DC. Their journey will just begin...but, I have three girls who can teach them the ropes. As I left to go home to my family, Monday, June 1st…I felt like a mother who didn't have to walk her children to school anymore....they were ready to be on their own. We have been so blessed to have these three girls in our program. THANK YOU girls.