16th Anniversary of NPHG:

For the anniversary and celebration of the creation of the NPH home in Guatemala we had a week full of activities. The activities included creating a dance based on a style of music, competitive games, and a disco to top off the anniversary. The preparation for the anniversary started Monday, October 8^th and lasted till Friday the 12^th.  The actual celebration was held Saturday, October 13^th.

The kids, staff, and volunteers were split up in teams and each assigned a different style of dance. In total there were around 14 teams. The different styles consisted of waltz, rock, pop, samba, salsa and more. Since school is officially out, the teams were able to prepare and practice a dance routine for four hours a day during the week before the 13^th.

I was assigned to the waltz team. I could have gone for a faster style but I enjoyed my time with my teammates and meeting new kids.  

On the actual day of the celebration, we had a morning full of competitive games including relay races, memory, climbing greased polls, tug-of-war, and more. After the games we all changed into costumes and preformed our dances with our teams. To end the long day we had a D.J. and a dance for all the kids. In the end “Rock and Roll” came in 1^st for the best dance performance and “Waltz” placed 1^st in the games.

Here are some of the games:

Aftermath of tug of war:

The beginning of the dance competition:

 The volunteers getting ready to dance:

    

 Ever, a palm tree:

Rock n' Roll preforming:

Passing the time with the kiddos:

The Chicago girls:

The años de servicios from the Especiales section and I: 

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: