Food shortage

When it comes to the MH community, food was hard to come by for many families. Many children would come to camp with empty stomachs. There was a sponsor for the camp who was going to provide money, but it never came through in time. 

Mrs.Ravel was so resourceful and amazing with getting snacks. She worked out a borrow back system for the  chips with the local market and we bought a juice concentrate to mix.  Some days we would look at each other like, " What are we going to do tomorrow?" 

One day we had no snacks and it was depressing seeing the kids facial expression when I said, "Sorry dear not today."

As far as my contribution, I worked on Monkey bay a bit each day. At first. There was watermelon and bananas offered. When I asked again, I got a different answer. Also, I had asked the founder and he needed to know a week in advance. With all the food we cook, I asked if there were any leftovers I could bring. I ended up getting a big lecture on where the food goes and the kitchen budget. 

Anything I requested was coming from good intention and MB knew this fact.  Whether it be apple sauce, fruit, or Plantain chips. I just wanted them to have something each day and I know MB had it, but it was a struggle trying to get it.
It was difficult trying to prove how high the needs actually were and how something so little could provide so much.  They had the belief that Mrs. Ravel was over there making requests, but she never once asked me to request or bring food.  She always made the best of what they already had and I loved her for that.  

It's a shame having that belief that the MH community is always "asking for money." The belief that "money" will just solve the problem is completely false.  While they do need food to meet their basic needs, they truly need education, religion,  acknowledgement to their being, and a cultural exchange.  

Money can only go so far, but contribution towards a human's existence means the world. PRIS

Believe in Me Summer Camp

When you work with children, you gain experience each and every time.  You know what exercises and activities are a hit and when students can handle a challenge. It was my mission to make sure everyone was participating and at least putting in some effort.  Kids were often seeking my praise, which increased their motivation and interest in learning.   

Overall, the camp was quite successful with the kids and the community.  Local parents, teachers, the pastor, and others responded very well to my work and dedication to the community.  Each day things were hectic and some days were better than others, but with teamwork we achieved our goal. 

With the help of a few parents and And it was the amazing commitment from Mrs. Ravel, which made things come together with short notice.  

There was plenty to do in the daytime between the 50 to 100 students in attendance, meetings with parents, and community outreach.  It was my responsibility to plan all the activities and it was Mrs. Ravel's responsibility to get the kids to show up.  This required going around the community and reminding everyone of the camp.  Each morning we started with a song followed by aerobics. The activities following involved therapeutic and psycho-educational verbal exercises and games. It required some serious creativity tailoring exercises for the age 4 to 13 age group.






We planned to split them up, but the volunteers partially showed up.  And with our limited resources, we had to limit the materials we used.  I did go to the store with Mrs. Ravel to purchase a few things, but supplies in Belize are limited and super expensive.  There are only a couple stores that sell arts and crafts and they sell $7 crayons-it's ridiculous. How do these poor people afford anything.

When we walked in, I was like, "Um this is it?" 

She said, "Yes, welcome to Belize."

 "Um, isn't there just a dollar store or some discount store?" 

"This is it." 

With that said, I bought a beach ball and some other fun and easy activities with balloons. I was advised to not purchase anything, but I went against the hierarchy.  I had been advised to not purchase anything for the program-not one thing. 

With this community, the kids were very respectful saying, "No Maam" and "Yes Maam." When it came to me assigning leaders to tasks or asking for helpers, they could not have been more eager. When activities were starting and ending, there were always kids cleaning up-sweeping the floor, pushing in chairs, and picking up papers.  From their upbringing, they help out at home and are taught to respect their teachers and adults.  



As far as the older kids, ages 8 to 12, they were open to discuss their feelings and share their experiences.  I always have this close connection with boys and these group of 6 to 8 boys were fantastic. They were so kind, polite, we worked and we had fun together. We had a mutual respect and with this we met our goals while having fun and enjoying activities. Their biggest challenge was working together as a team and making compromises.  They were encouraged to push through activities they did not want to complete together and they learned a dose of patience.

Mrs. Ravel would say, "Priscilla they don't know anything about teamwork."

 I would say, "Well now is the time to learn."

That is the whole point of my presence to challenge them and help them learn better social skills, listening, teamwork, and coping.  
With Priscilla's  therapy, there is always some skill being practiced even when they don't believe it.  
                                   Jump!

                         Pris morning workout 

Musical chairs

                                  Deyra 

\

Herbert 

]

Mrs. Ravel´s kids I adored

Singing Jesus songs in the Church

Bracelet making 

Our two wonderful volunteers

Brother and Sister

Feeling Exercises 

They won the Scavenger Hunt

Favorite Little Boy 

Favorite boys 

Soccer with Rock nets

Volleyball

Sponge Relay Reward 

The Teamwork Train

Purpose-Money

When it comes to my discussion about my purpose and materialism. Money has nothing to do with it. While I once had a pastor who told me that it's okay to profit off all the gifts God has given you. I still have not profited, but I remain in God's purpose


Whether I am on the street talking to a vendor about their life story, their life struggles, and what they want out of their life or just simply spending time with kids on the street playing a game, or volunteering or working as a counselor or teaching.


I am responsible for God and the gifts he has given me. For non-believers, this all may be difficult to comprehend.. But for believers thank you for being on my side.

I am present

I have spirit

I love people


When you believe in the word of the Lord, good things will follow.

Mayan Families

Mayan Families is a small non-profit organization of Panajachel. They have various programs to support and empower Mayan people.  They have a Pre-school on site with 200 kids and they have also have various Pre-schools along the Lakeside.  They have an Education program, Family Aid, Shelter Program, Medical clinic, Diabetes program, Elderly Care, Income Generating program, schools sports program, Hope for Animals program, and a program for Expectant mothers.  Each child is sponsored by someone in the US.  It costs $1 a day, which is $360 for the year to sponsor a child. A sponsor can also support a family by providing emergency food, housing, medical care, water filters, and hens to lay eggs. 

This organization is the biggest in the community and it was started by Sharon Smart and Dwight who were expats living in the Lake Atitlan Community for 20 years.  It is a very special community of people with over 80 percent being Indigenous.  Unfortunately, this lovely population has suffered from  suffered from severe inequality for many years. It slowly improves yet is still a significant problem within the community. 


        Sponsor a child today for just $1 per day! 

www.mayanfamilies.org

Pizza Anyone?

Walking back from the Nature Reserve, I came across a young boy and girl carrying a pizza box. They stopped and turned towards me saying, “Pizza?” with a big smile. I acted hesitantly as they quickly opened up the box.  They had a small blanket covering the top part and they lifted the blanket.  There were slices individually wrapped in saran-cheese with a slice of ham on top. They did not look so bad.  He said he would give me a slice for 5 Quetzal because I am a nice lady.  Everyone else pays 7 Quetzal. 

I was very happy to see that they had pizza in the box and not something else….

I knew I could never eat a slice so I bought one for mi amigo, Nicholas, at my hotel.  I decided that if there was something I wanted to buy from kids and I didn’t want to eat it(most things), I would give it to my hardworking, little friend. 

With the price of 5, I had to ask about their daily routine and profit.  They said the business is good, but they don’t make much profit.  I praised them for their good, business idea and told them to keep up the great work.  As incentive, I gave them 5 quetzals, which is about 75 cents US.

I remember in India when I used to give the street kids $1, they would put their hand out for more.

You may wonder, what did these kids do?

They smiled big saying, “Muchas gracias” and the girl was waiving the 5 quetzal in the air.  She held it crisply in her hand and she moved her hands back and forth with joy.  Oh these Guatemalan kids can be so cute.  Keep up the pizza delivery kids! 

      Pris stamp of approval!