April, 2004

Amigos,

It is 5:00 a.m. Easter morning and we have, just this week, returned from our fourth trip to Guatemala. Antigua is noted for its lavish depiction of Christ's final days. It is the tradition for all men, women and children, young and old to participate in weeks of processions and re-enactments, culminating in a weeklong celebration attracting tourists from around the world.
There is a fundamental difference in the focus of Easter in Guatemala and Christian traditions of North America. Whereas in North America, we celebrate the "Risen Christ", Guatemalas' people are centered in the "Suffering Christ". They have a deep faith in, and an intense love for a man, who gave up his life and was crucified for them. Symbolizing their desire to help Christ carry His cross, wincing in pain, they carry enormous platforms, on their shoulders, throughout the city. The Guatemalan people can personally relate to Christ's suffering. They still await their resurrection (the day when they will rise above starvation and poverty and experience the freedom, that we all have the right to, as human beings.)

Since Richard and I returned from our two- year mission n Guatemala, we have felt unsettled. It is difficult to experience that kind of poverty, and to return to our lives in Canada. We have a sense that our work in Guatemala is not finished.

In November we will be returning for six months, to set up two preschool programs at the dump in Guatemala City. In the four years we have been going to Guatemala, it is probably the saddest sight we have ever seen; families making their livings by rummaging through squalor and filth, just to put food on their tables.

We ask ourselves "As human beings, how can we let this happen? Could we imagine this being our children or grandchildren?"..to watch as hundreds of people meticulously tear each bag open, with the hope that this will be the one, that will hold something of value for them to sell, or God forbid...something to eat!

Though the dump is surrounded by a huge concrete wall, and locked at night, apparently people go in during the day, and hide under the garbage, so they will be the first there, when the garbage trucks arrive in the morning. As we stood atop the hill, looking down on the scene of human tragedy, hundreds of vultures loomed overhead..... highly symbolic, I thought, of the death of human dignity!

We also plan to start another school, in a small remote village, two hours from Antigua.

We have seen phenomenal transformations in the children who have had the opportunity to attend these preschools, and we truly believe a positive learning experience, during these crucial early years, can profoundly affect their future lives.

We feel our work at the Dreamer Center in Antigua is completed, and that is now time to move on and establish other programs. It was an incredible experience! The program is well equipped, and the teachers have a good grasp of the early childhood education philosophy. The Dreamer Center continues to fund the salaries of the teachers.

The small school that we started in Sacala, is moving across the road to a larger space. We will continue to support the community by providing supplies, and paying the salaries of the teachers.

The weaving cooperative is struggling to get off the ground, because the women still do not know how to use the large looms that we purchased for them. A generous supporter has raised money for someone to train the women, so we will take one last crack at getting this venture off the ground. We have asked the local shaman of the village to hire a teacher for them. He will try and give them the necessary support to get started.

Some of you are not aware that I recently won the Premier's Award for my work with children, which included a five thousand dollar bursary. With this money, I was able to place two Algonquin early childhood education students in the preschool classrooms I started at the Dreamer Center, in the morning to do practice teaching for three weeks. In the afternoon, they worked with children ages 0 to 11 years of age in an orphanage, that rescues children from abusive situations. They also had the opportunity to spend time at the school in Sacala, which for them was a highlight of their trip. They were so impressed by the creativity and the spirit of the tiny little school.

They also had the chance to feed the homeless in Antigua, and visit the dump in Guatemala City. I think the images they saw will remain with them forever. I know that the Guatemalan experience has profoundly impacted them, and they both hope to return to the country in the near future.

Richard and I are going to try and help the poor of Guatemala, by sharing our educational skills. Though Richard has been hesitant to return to the school system, he has come to realize this is where the need appears to be the greatest, and probably the area in which we can make the biggest long- term impact. The director of the program at the dump called "Safe Passage" would like Richard to be available to the teachers of the older grades in a consulting capacity to work towards more meaningful hands-on learning. She also asked if he would consider setting up a vocational program for the students. This could be a very busy six months for both of us.

It is our hope to raise the money to set up and support these preschool programs between now and November. I have had an idea for a Christmas fund-raising program for a number of years. We have returned to Canada with 5000 Guatemalan dolls and now we must decide how we're going to distribute them. If you are looking for something really meaningful to do for Christmas, this could be the answer to your prayers, not to mention the answer ours. Unfortunately we will be in Guatemala, when the fund-raiser kicks off, but it is my intention to have everything in place before we leave.

We really could use help in raising funds. We will be actively looking for some generous souls to step forward. We will let you know details of this campaign in a future letter.

Though we look forward to returning to Guatemala, it is always difficult to leave family and home. I think our children have come to a better understanding of why we do what we do, and so despite their fears, they support our decision to work in the Global South.

We invite all of you to be our partners in Mission. Together we CAN make a difference! We would appreciate any help you can give....spiritually, financially or physically.

About the second week in November we will be hosting a ten day service team in Guatemala, to build furniture for the preschool. We welcome anyone who wishes to come. The approximate cost would be in the area of $1300 to $1700 depending on the type of accommodation you choose and the airfare. We will be sending out more details at a later date. Please give this some serious thought.

In Service and Love,

Susan and Richard
Oneness through Service