September at NPH

Work/NPH:

Work and life at NPH couldn’t be better. Many of the other volunteers describe this stage as the “honeymoon stage” where you love your job and life at NPH.  My Spanish is developing little by little every day and I’m able to communicate more with the Guatemalans who work here. I’d say it’s a step in the right direction!

                        

Life is great besides the occasional bite marks:

Independence day has passed: 

NPH participated in different activities in celebration of Guatemalan independence. We had a battle of the bands day, a parade with neighboring schools and the torch run.

The best activity in my opinion was the "antorca," the torch run. We first drove an hour and a half away from NPH to a swimming pool where we all enjoyed the water. After swimming we literally had to run home. It was hard work, I ran a two hours which totaled (about) 15 miles!  We had a lot of local support as we ran, people in town would stand outside, cheer us on and throw water.

Here are some pictures from the parade:

Special Olympics:

Special Olympic training is going well. Twice a week we train with two separate groups of kids. The race in the Capital is in November. I will keep you posted.

Monterrico Pt. 2:

Monterrico was beautiful as ever! Mas o menos 27 volunteers went on a weekend trip and we had a blast. The trip was successful, I saw a whale jumping in the water, a live scorpion, played a lot of volleyball, ran a 10K and got a lot of sun.

For the 10K I placed 36 out of 500 runners and ranked 8^th place for the women. I ran with Steph, Charlotte and Vron. We literally started at the end of the pack, so next time if we make our way to the front of the line we will do better.

Before the race:

After the race:

Other news:

• The volcano, before and after:

• The anniversary of NPH is coming up. We were going to have a three day celebration of this event but due to money issues we are going to have a one day celebration on October 13.

• For the holiday break from school, kids are allowed to leave NPH and spend time with their families (not all the kids leave). Originally they were all allowed to leave at the end of November. Due to our financial crisis, NPH is allowing the kids to go home November 4 (or so) until the New Year. With fewer kids at NPH for a longer time, this will help with saving money on food, electricity and water.

• During December I will switch jobs for a month and work as a Tia. This means I will be in charge of one of the sections of kids who didn't go with their family over the break. I will act as their parent, get them ready for the day/night, entertain them with activities, and make sure they don’t hurt each other. 

Here are some of the boys I will be working with, they are all in my section (San Jose):

A busy week in August

Hello everyone,

I have been so busy lately that I have not been motivated to write a blog. It didn’t help that the volunteers were very busy last week:

Kermes Voluntarios 8/12:

One Sunday every other month the volunteers are responsible for creating an activity for all of the kids at NPH. This past Kermes included a fair type activity. Where two volunteers were stationed at some sort of game and the kids could run around and participate in the different events. We had bingo, darts, ring toss, prizes, and more. It lasted a total of two hours and I was stationed at the “Latas” game. My partner and I set up pop cans in the form of a larger triangle and the kids were able to knock them over by throwing a ball. I probably picked and set up cans at least 100 times within the two hour time frame. Our game was very popular and we always had a line, but it took forever to set the cans up at times. The kids had fun and seemed to enjoy all of the games.  

Liz & I and the cans:

The kids lining up for the can game:

Jack and his game:

Honor a la muerte de Padre Wasson 8/15:

The anniversary of the death of Padre Wasson was on the 16^th of August. NPH celebrated on the 15^th with activities that illuminated Father William Wasson’s life. All of the departments created a display that portrayed Padre Wasson’s life, beliefs, morals, and facts on how NPH was started. There was also a competition for the top three displays, my department won 3^rd place!  

My boss reading a book to the children:

My team, we came in 3rd place:

It was a long day and Nona and I kept ourselves entertained:

Eleccion nina y senorita 8/16:

Once a year NPH has a beauty pageant! There were about 10 girls who participated, including one of my students. All of the kids were really excited about the pageant and there were little cheering section for some of the girls. There were three judges from outside of NPH, so this was the real deal. The girls changed outfits about three times. They had traditional outfits, formal wear and sportswear. The girls were even asked questions and all did a wonderful job. I would have been so nervous.

(L-R) Carlos, Francisca (last years winner), Delmi (competed this year) and their teacher:

Sports wear:

After the pageant there was a dance competition. About five boys form my section competed and it was adorable. 

Aniversario de la Escuela 8/17:

The school had a day of activities for the kids as well in celebration of the anniversary. From a human line, rope climb, jeopardy questions, and other activities. All of the kids were running around crazy competing in their teams. I ran around with some of my students and helped them participate in the activities.  

My students, Delmi and Francisca:

Some of the activities:

Monterrico 8/18-8/19:

After a long week of activities I went to Monterrico beach with three other girls. It was a perfect mini vacation away from volunteering. I was able to enjoy myself by reading on the beach or in a hammock overlooking the water, and drinking $2 smoothies all day. Besides one large spider incident, the weekend was very relaxing. In September, for a group activity, all of the 27 volunteers plan on taking a trip to Monterrico.  

Special Olympics:

Training has officially started as of 8.21! In total we have about 15 kids who are willing to train and participate in the Guatemala Special Olympics. For practice, we have split the kids up into two groups, one that practices on Tuesday and the other that trains on Thursday. The first practice went really well, not only did we get everyone to run but we also got everyone to laugh. It’s hard to keep everyone’s attention all the time, but we had activities such as relay races, crab walks, rope jumping and sprinting.

Within a couple weeks, the other volunteers and I are going to take a trip to Guatemala City to watch the Guatemala team practice, so we can get ideas. Our first official meet will be in November!  

Stephanie and I are starting the NPH team for the Olympics. Here we are with one of our athletes, Carlos:

Getting in to the groove.

Things are definitely starting to settle down. As my body is still adjusting, my mind is starting to get used to the routine. I've been reading a lot, which is my new love. In college I could not find the time to read for pleasure and I felt guilty when I did. I flew through the three Hunger Game books in one week. Now I am on to another series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The other volunteers have stressed that there is a lot of down time to read, which makes me happy. 

I've been on a couple of runs this past week. It feels so good to be starting up again after my long break. I was surprised by what my body could do the first time back; I didn’t die. Good memories from my running years flood my brain and make me smile. I refuse to run alone which makes it a little difficult to go when I want to go because everyone’s schedules are different.

Saturday August 4^th was interesting. A group of volunteers went to dinner in Antigua. After dinner we took a taxi home. We shoved 6 volunteers in one taxi, not including the driver and ended up getting a flat tire at 11:00 at night. It was scary and dangerous because we got the flat on a turn in the road. Our taxi couldn’t be seen by other cars flying around the bend. On top of being on a sketchy road, it was down pouring which made it even more dangerous. One volunteer (the only male) and the driver changed the wheel and we were on our way in a half hour, soaking wet.

Donations:

I want the people who helped me get here decide where I donate money. Here is the link for the projects board for NPH Guatemala: http://www.nph.org/ws/help/projects/index.php?lang=en&org=9&cat=all&pri=all  

I work the special needs kids. These kids are affected by the following projects: “Diapers for Carlos,” “Hippotherapy for Special Needs Children,” and “Diapers for Special Needs Children.” I plan on putting some of the money I received in these projects. I have a biased eye, so if anyone likes a specific project please LET ME KNOW and I will be happy to incorporate a new project.

In other news: I plan on starting my own projects. The ground leading to my classroom is rough and unbalanced. It’s really difficult for the kids in wheel chairs and walkers to get to my salon. I plan on raising money (and using some that I already have) to build a sidewalk. In total this project will cost around $500 USD.

Special Olympics:

Guess what, I’m going to be a coach! We just got all the information to start and we are in the paperwork and planning stage. I absolutely cannot wait to get the ball rolling on this! 

Until next time! 

"Welcome to NPH where you're always tired."

It's Saturday!!!!!!!

The two weeks of work on my own have been challenging. I am still learning A LOT about the kids, the language, and what I can do to better myself (in work). One challenge has been the long hours; they drain my body of energy—which sucks.  As I was quite the busy girl during the school year, this transition has been tough!

One of my students hard at work: 

Sign Language Class:

Once a week I participate in a lenguaje de señas class. This past week I had my first class. Well, the instructor never showed up because of lack of communication, but the other volunteers took me to a café and taught me the basics. The class is held at an actual sign language school in Jocotenago, and it was really interesting to be immersed within. It’s hard to believe on top of Spanish I am also learning sign language. I’m really excited!

Horse Therapy:

Every Wednesday, the Especiales (special needs students) and NPH staff go to a farm and ride horses for therapy. It is so much fun and the kids really enjoy the horses, fresh air, and time away from the NPH ranch. I used to ride horses when I was younger and I don’t know how long it has been since I got on a horse. Most of the time I am either walking along the side of the horse for safety, or I am riding the horse with the kids for support.

Special Olympics:

Before leaving the States I was able to take part in the Special Olympics with the family I worked with through UCP. It was one of the best experiences ever. It was so exciting to see the celebration and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.

Small world? YES! Because here in Guatemala I am also going to be taking part in the Special Olympics! Well, we will be the first group of volunteers (if all goes accordingly) to connect NPH to the Special Olympics in Guatemala, which would be amazing.

This past week there was an actual tournament in Guatemala City and four other therapists and I went to watch. We were able to speak with the director of the Special Olympics Guatemala and chat with some of the sociable athletes. I felt like a celebrity because all of the male athletes wanted to take a picture with the women volunteers—go figure.

Address:

For those of you who dare to send me mail, let me warn you, the mail system is very weak here. Letters are not guaranteed arrival but packages stand a better chance. I have already received my first package from Eron full of books and candy. THANK YOU!! It is appreciated and needed. 

For the address you have to write exactly what’s below:

Voluntaria Katie Wendt

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos

Apartado Postal 4

Chimaltenago Guatemala, Centroamérica

**If they ask for any other numbers or postal codes I do not have them. If you write exactly what I have written it should be fine.

Orientation & Work

Orientation:

Orientation is finally over! It was a total of two weeks. It’s safe to say it was probably the most strenuous two weeks of my life. Not only was everything in Spanish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it also introduced me to the life I am living for the next year.

Most days of orientation were spent being introduced to others, listening to people speak about their jobs, tours, rules, policies, history and more about NPH. Other days were spent shadowing the person we were taking over for.

Another reason I am happy orientation is over with is because we moved into the actual volunteer houses! As much as I enjoy the company of the other volunteers, I never want to share a hostel type room with seven other women again. Now I am sharing a house with eight women, which sounds worse, but Instead of one big living space we have a house with two women per room, four rooms, one kitchen, two bathrooms and a living room.

The old hostel type room:

The view of my new house:

My new room:

The volunteer house kitchen:

Kitchen with living room on the left:

My job and classroom and first day:

I have officially had two full days of work. For those who have forgotten I am the “Special Education Individual” all the other volunteers call it “therapy” for the kids. I wake up at 6:15 a.m., start work at 7:15 a.m. and finish work at 5 p.m. most days (it depends on documentation/notes). I have a total of 14 kids that I work with, with a variety of disabilities. I am not allowed to share but put all the disabilities you can list in a hat and that’s what I to work with J.

The maximum number of kids I will have in one day is 8 and the minimum for one day is 6. When I have meetings with the other employees I have a minimum of 6 therapies a day. Every day is a little different and I follow a “schedule” as best I can, FLEXABILITY is very important with my schedule.

My classroom is pretty cool and I like it a lot. What the kids do, more or less, is work on everyday skills, for example, tying bows, buttoning buttons, scooping rice and putting it in bowls, twisting bottle caps, ironing, playing music, and more. It also includes classroom type activities like numbers, colors, letters and sounding out words. All of the activities include the child’s senses and they are physically participating, exploring and learning.

My classroom:

My first day was exciting and crazy at the same time. I probably looked like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I say that because I have to physically go look for the kids and bring them to my classroom. It gets crazy because half the time they are not where they are supposed to be.

First day of work:

The majority of the kids that I work with love me and want to come and work with me. Then there are a couple kids who like to test the water. The water is cold right now because I have some hair missing, bite and pinch marks. I keep telling myself with time things will get better. I know once I get accustomed to the language there will be nothing that can slow me down and as of right now I’m in a car with no wheels. It’s just as frustrating for the kids as it is for me and for this I feel horrible.

Other Jobs:

On top of my 7 to 5 job I am accountable for a specific section of kids and family projects every week/month.

Twice a week, minimum, I am responsible for visiting a section of kids. The sections are arraigned by age and gender. My section consists of 22 boys ages 8-10. If anything this will be fun because I will eat dinner with them, go to their area (room) at night to play games, read books, dance or whatever we want.

Twice a month I am responsible for family projects. Out of the 350 kids at NPH there are a lot of brothers and sisters. The family projects are designed for the brothers and sisters within the larger NPH family to have time together. With all the kids, I imagine it’s easy to forget who your blood is and who isn’t.  So, twice a month I get assigned a family of kids and we spend quality time together. We can go get ice cream, candy, play games and more.

Random thoughts/facts:

My camera got stolenL good thing they are only $100 USD in Antigua.

One of the 9 new volunteers has already quit and is returning home. YIKES.

There is a swing in the volunteer house hanging from the rafters.

A dog followed me all the way home today because it knew I purchased food from the market.