Event #10: PROFOUND GRATITUDE EXPRESSED at THE CHICOYOJ SCHOOL & LUNCH AT THE ORPHAN'S HOME

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EVENT #10:  Photo/essay
"THE CHICOYOJ SCHOOL SHOWS THEIR THANKS 
& LUNCH AT THE ORPHANS HOME

From the Santa Elena Village, we drove through the back roads, eventually coming to the now paved road that goes by our last farm (and all the way to San Juan Chamelco) we called, "Farm the Holy Man," or in Spanish, "Finca de Nahual Gwinak,"  the home seen from a distance in the following photo.....

Below are a couple of  photos  back in the day.

The building of which,  was the worst mistake I ever made in all my years in Guatemala.......

......except for the entrance where I created the Museum of the Holy Man with a Mayan altar in the entrance........

 ................here are a couple of photos  as many of you are interested in the archaeology of the Mayan civilization.  Almost all of what I'm showing here is from the Valparaiso area, including the Mayan altar where me and our guard dog, Goku, are praying.  You can see many more details on the Foundation's website, clicking on   the following link:  MUSEUM

 We have now arrived at the school, where the children are waiting for us, and soon the program begins. 

 After the director of the school welcomes us, Federico is invited to speak .......

......he reviews the projects we have had in the area....

  ....including helping the students here every year with school supplies......

 ...and last of all the building of a home for three orphan children, where this activity will end with lunch. 

 I am then asked to speak and I have a wonderful time describing with fondness and gratitude the many things done over the years in the area.....

 ......beginning at Valparaiso.....

.....and then extending our life saving aid to the Najquitob Village above the plantation.....

 ...then to the even more remote Pambach Village.........and gradually over the years, under Federico's 42 year long volunteer partnership, increased our activities to in recent years have projects in all the village schools of the Santa Cruz Verapaz area. 

 As I finish my remarks, a young lady, who looks familiar to me, stands and explains that she is not only grateful for the Foundation's help in the school and area, but is there to represent all the people I employed,  on my Farm of the Holy Man, picking coffee--from 1994 to 2001, during which time--15 years, she has grown up from a young teenage girl.......

 .....she goes on to explain they had a gift for me to thank me for having treated them fairly--as though family, and even described how when they had to work in a cold, drizzling rain, I would always come out and work with them, accompanied by several of my young children.  

 Her recounting of history, and the presentation of a simple gift--actually became the most significant gift of gratitude I received during my entire 12 day trip to Guatemala.  

 During those years I couldn't in clear conscience have my employees out working in difficult conditions, without going out and being with them--even though I was never able to pick as much as even the least of them.  

 Above is a view of where we happily all worked together as brothers & sisters.  

Wow.....is about all I can say, as this was one of highlights of my entire trip to Guatemala! 

Then the District Director for the Ministry of Education spoke words of gratitude he asked I convey to the Foundation & its donors and introduced the next portion of the celebration, talking about the orphan children we built a home for last year and invited them to come forward along with their grandmother.  

 From the school we were invited to walk 100 yards or so to the home, where a lunch would be served.....

.........but first the teachers & parents insisted on giving us a little snack to tide us over until the full-blown lunch. 

Now, on to the orphans home.....

....which can  see, under Federico's watchful supervision, has  become a model home for the area.......everything from landscaping out front with plants & flowers.......

 ......to the home itself that has been maintained as though it was brand new. 

 Here Federico is being greeted by, Don Julian, the grandfather.....

 .....and we see the traditional plaque giving credit to those who helped make this a reality.......

NOTE:  By the way some of you might be wondering why in Guatemala they call me "Lic[ensiado] Andersen?"  I had nothing to do with it, but it was started way back  by Carl Jacob, who insisted my university degree's equivalent in Guatemala qualified me to be called "licensiado," which he thought would enhance my status.  I myself understand it would be for those who have a Master's degree, which I don't.  

...and then a little tour of the three room house itself where the children sleep.  

.....then the  traditional presenting of diplomas. 

 The Director of the school also insisting on a separate photo with me.......

 .......and finally the full-fledged meal.....

 ....with the last shot showing the traditional way to down the "caldo de chunto,"  as no soup spoons are provided, and the tiny plastic ones take too long,  so the tradition  is to pick up the plate and slurp it down as we see the teacher at the end of the table about to do!  

So we bid farewell to the Chicoyoj Village with this beautiful picture of a mother and her cute little baby.....and actually say "hasta luego" to  Alta Verapaz as the next day--Thursday, May 26th, Aura and me would travel to Guatemala City on the bus, and be picked up by Mario and his wife. Elena, and immediately drive up into the coolness of 7,000 high Patzicia and the Central Highlands.

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UP NEXT: 

EVENT #11:  Photo/essay

"ON TO THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS/PATZICIA & CELEBRATION AT

THE ARIEL & INES ANDERSEN CHULUC VILLAGE SCHOOL & VISIT WITH DONE MAXIMO"

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PLEASE HELP US KEEP THIS GOOD WORK GOING A LITTLE LONGER!
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