October, 2005

Autumn Greetings from Lapasse,

So much has happened since returning to Canada in late April, we thought it would be a good idea to give you an update, before returning to Guatemala in December. Originally it was our plan to return in October to build furniture, and set-up a six room daycare at the Guatemala City dump. Because there was a delay in the construction of the facility, we will begin building in January.

We have received some major funding through "Acceso International" and "The Society for Third World Dental Care" for our work in the daycare at the dump. This was wonderful, as it allowed us some time this summer to spend on our yard, and focus our energies on the purchasing of educational supplies for the programs, planning classroom layouts, designing furniture and recruiting service teams.

Rose Anne Boucher has thrown herself totally into the task of fundraising for the poor of Guatemala and is doing a phenomenal job! This year she came up with a unique idea... to distribute pencil cases at the beginning of the school year, asking participants in the campaign to throw in their spare change for six weeks in the Fall. This project, entitled "Change for Change", looks promising, as some returns have started to come in.

Again this year, we will be repeating the "Wrap your Christmas Gift in Love" campaign, featuring our charming little Guatemalan dolls. We will also be selling handmade straw Christmas ornaments made by Guatemalan women, at a reasonable cost. If you wish to see these items you may visit Christmas Intiatives. Anyone, who would like to purchase some of these unique decorations, or would be willing to help us market the dolls or the ornaments can either phone Rose Anne at 613-757-0840 or email her at rabhome@sympatico.ca.

We felt so blessed this year, when a young university student and his family, stepped up and offered to do a Gospel concert at our local performing arts centre. What an inspiration to see how committed this young musician was.. using his talents to make a difference in this world! The night's performance was amazing!. He is a truly gifted artist and we so much appreciated his support of our work.

Three service teams will be coming down in the New Year. Practically all of the first "Dream Team" will be returning, as well as two members of "Dream Team II". Team IV will be made up of "Knights of Columbus" from Edmonton, and team V from the Ottawa Valley will be made up of members from Acceso International and retired teachers. In total, there will be about 40 participants, ranging greatly in age and experience.

This year some of us will be living in community at the training Hotel operated by "Safe Passage", working, eating and sharing our daily experiences. Others may choose to live with a Guatemalan family. We are sure that both experiences will prove to be extremely rewarding. There are still a couple of places available with team V, April 15th to the 26th.

Our website is now updated with pictures of last year's "projects" at the Guatemala City Dump and our new preschool in Tioxya, a remote village in the Guatemala Highlands. The Guatemala City Dump "pilot project" was so successful that we have been asked to duplicate the design and program in the new six room daycare centre.

Aside from our work in the city, we continue to run two rural preschools, the most recent being in Tioxya, where the furniture was constructed by team II, in March of this year.

Three members of our first team, who visited the rural school in Sacala, have taken on the task of trying to raise money for a well in Sacala which could cost up $90,000. It is hoped that by forming partnerships with other organizations like Rotary and Ryan's Well, etc. it will make this seemingly impossible dream of drinkable water a reality.

I cannot impress upon each of you enough, the profound impact that these programs are having on the children. From "rags to riches"...it is like a fairy tale to the children..something beyond their wildest dreams.. and to witness their personal transformations, resulting from the love and caring shown to them in the classrooms, brings new life and energy to our work.

Our Guatemalan wish list for the future includes:

• Starting a Community House in Guatemala for those wishing to do short and long term volunteer work
• A sustainable preschool teacher training program, promoting activity-child-centered learning, critical thinking skills and creativity
• A family resource centre to provide positive enriching play experiences for the children, and educational workshops for the parents
• A mobile playschool with a teacher to visit remote rural villages on a rotational basis, providing educational resources for children and parents. (Would anyone have a school bus or a van in excellent condition they would like to donate?)
• Continue to set-up additional preschools in poor remote villages
• A Mayan Doll program entitled "Just like me", to help build self esteem and a sense of personal pride in the indigenous culture of the Mayan. (We are presently approaching toy companies to manufacture a Mayan doll - something that does not exist in Guatemala at this time. Dolls would include an educational package on the importance of building self esteem and a sense of worth in children)
• Continue to work towards providing shelter for the poorest of the poor by forming a partnership with the NGO "Houses to Homes" in Guatemala... to enable teams who wish to experience building a home for a family in need.
  
  If you feel there is any way you could contribute to these ideas becoming a reality, please contact us at onenessca2003@yahoo.ca
  
  Your prayers, your encouragement, your spiritual and financial support, have made "Oneness Through Service " what it is today. People of all faiths are coming together to try and make this world, a better place to live for the poor. It continues to be a totally positive, enriching ecumenical experience. Our God lives in the hearts of the people.
  
  In solidarity and love.....Susan and Richard