Outreach...finally!!!!

Well, I can sure tell that the people of this country are going to pull at my heartstrings. There is so much need here, and it makes you want to help everybody. But of course it's just not possible..

I am happy to report that I was finally able to go out with the social workers today. Those of you who know how excited I can get about something can imagine the big smile on my face as we headed out :)

There are 3 social workers with the project, all male, which caught me by surprise, as back home most social workers are women, so I expected the same here in Guatemala. As I headed out with one of them, Marcos, I commented on this difference, to which he responded that in Guatemala most social workers are male, because the work is "duro" (hard). As you can imagine, I bit my tongue reaaaal hard after that comment. He went on to explain that a big part of their job is outreach and that it can be dangerous. They can be assaulted or robbed, and some places they go are quite remote so it would be very dangerous for women, especially given that they do outreach on their own. Marcos shared this information as we were about to head out and I'm pretty sure the other volunteer with us was pretty freaked out after hearing what could happen. Me rather? I was like "right on, let's go!!" I know, I know, I'm crazy....

We caught a bus for Alotenango, about 20 minutes from Antigua. On the way I asked Marcos questions about the work, the families, issues etc. Incredibly, he has 216 families on his caseload, and whom he has to visit twice every 3 months. Well I'm pretty sure the Manitoba government set the standards here as well, because there is no way these social workers can see all those families as often as they are supposed to, especially given they live all over God's Green Acre!

Just like we often do at CFS, they conduct "surprise visits" with there being a real focus on ensuring that families keep their homes clean. He explained that there is a mentality here that when you are poor, you are also unclean, and that the project is trying to change that thought. Apart from just checking in they often end up trying to help families with the various problems they are struggling with as well.

The purpose of the visits today though was to look for families who are in desperate need of houses. As I have mentioned the project builds lots of houses, over a thousand so far. There are at least two teams here right now who have built about 7 houses this week alone. Any volunteers I have talked to have spoken very highly of their experience. The families, including the children, help build the house, and are extremely grateful. Despite the fact that I am lazy and can't imagine the physical labour of it, it does sound like an amazing and rewarding experience. Who knows I may try one day.

We arrived in the beautiful town of Alotenango where there is a perfect view of 2 out of 3 of the volcanoes that overlook the area. It always seems that the most beautiful places have the poorest people. And from what I am told, this town is one of the poorest around Antigua as it is primarily indigenous, which translates to people with less education and as a result fewer work opportunities.

Upon our arrival two families were waiting for us at the church. They had come to the project in Antigua to enquire about a house and as a result we were there to see where they lived and if they truly needed a house. The first was a single mother with 3 young children. Although I didn't ask her too many questions I was curious about her situation as her father in law was accompanying her, and lived on the same land, yet she was single parenting. Her house was very basic (walls and roof made of tin with a dirt floor), but it looked clean, organized and was actually pretty nice. As I looked around I was thinking that this family didn't really need a house and so was happy to hear Marcos say after that he felt the same. It became obvious though that he didn't have the ability to give people the bad news and rather would tell them that there was an issue with the land and that an engineer would come and let them know for sure.

After that visit, people kept coming out of nowhere, and we developed quite a crowd, everyone wanting us to come and see their house in hopes of getting a new one. I'm sure Marcos feels like quite a King when he is in this situation as he holds a lot of power over the destinies of these people.

We then went to see another house, which was a compound of several houses for one big family. The grandparents were in one house, while their adult sons/daughters were in others with their children. The project focuses on those with the greatest need such as families living in houses made of cardboard, as an example. They also have to have small children. So the grandparents' home was not an option, but one of the daughter's homes was. This house was made of maize (corn) branches, all different lengths and so there was quite a gap between the walls and the tin roof. So you can imagine what it would be like when it rains, or for keeping out the cold. It was one big room, with a dirt floor, a couple beds, dressers, a table, and just "stuff." There are 5 children and 2 adults in this family. Given the number of people and how primitive it was, Marcos took an application with the help of the 13 year old, as her parents were both working. This girl said that they were likely not going to start school next week as there was no money for the things they needed to attend. In Guatemala there are "free" public schools but parents still have to pay for school supplies, uniforms etc. and many cannot afford them, which means that the children don't go to school. This of course just contributes to the poverty issue as the cycle repeats itself.

There had been a lady with us from the beginning, carrying an infant in a traditional blanket which all the indigenous women have tied around them. They use them to carry their young children, or anything else they need to carry. She walked with us to the other houses, patiently waiting her turn. As we eventually walked to her place I was able to ask her come questions during which she shared that she was a widow with 5 children. I didn't ask what happened to her husband, despite really wanting to know. Given the baby was so young, I suspected that her husband's death was not long ago. She was pretty closed but did tell me that her parents were deceased and that she pretty much had no family except her aunt whom she lived with, along with her 5 children (ranging from 6th grade to the infant). Because the baby was so young she couldn't work full time yet, but was able to do a bit of ironing for people which provided enough for them to eat at least. After the baby is a bit older she plans to look for work, likely in one of the coffee plantations, as the area is a big coffee area. So life is pretty tough for her to say the least. She had seen the project's blue houses in town and had come to Antigua to get more information. Her hope was that the project could build her a house on a plot of land that she had inherited from her parents. Well we walked, and we walked, and it was so far to reach. She was apologetic for it being such a long walk and was worried that because it was so far that the project wouldn't help her.

As soon as we arrived, we could hear that that there was a river nearby. And just like that her hopes were dashed, as Marcos explained that they couldn't build houses close to a river as the material they used (which sounds like fibreglass), is not strong enough to stop a house from sliding downhill when there is a lot of precipitation. In rainy season this is a real possibility. So due to the risky location it was not possible. Well the look on her face was heartbreaking. You could tell that she was so hopeful and to realize that there would be no house..well, it was clearly devastating. Marcos seemed uncomfortable with her reaction and again tried to avoid the inevitable by saying he would see what the engineer said. He had explained that it was his job to ensure the need was there and to get the family's information, after which an engineer would come to ensure there was enough space, it was safe to build etc. Judging from her expression I don't think the lady really believed that it may still be possible though. She walked back with us, and looked so sad, it was hard to see. I felt someone needed to be the social worker in the situation and show her some empathy so acknowledged that she must be disappointed. She responded that she was sad and was fighting back tears. I told her that I felt bad for her and was fighting back tears as well. I suggested other options (different material, selling etc) to which she explained that a house made of stone, which would be more secure, would cost 10 million quetzales ($1200). There is clearly no way she would ever have that kind of money. She said as well that she couldn't sell the property as she would get almost nothing for it. So I don't know what she will do. My mind was racing on how I could help get her a house, but the sad thing is that there are so many more like her...We continued on, and she stopped to talk to some others. I didn't get a chance to even say take care and good luck but sure hope for the best for her and her children.

The people from the first houses continued walking with us and when we went into someone else's house, they came in with us which I found strange and intrusive. My guess is that they were checking out their competition :) There was also a German volunteer with us for the day, and all she did was take pictures, which annoyed me, as I thought that was really intrusive as well. But I imagine that there have been tons of volunteers before me, and tons after, that will do the same. I myself, am not here for the photo opps, but rather to learn about the people, try and talk with them and understand as much as possible. I was so thankful that I was having a good Spanish day (as there are good and bad days) as I could understand a lot, as well as communicate well with the people. It makes such a difference!

As we were walking (and by this time it was hours!) in the hot sun, along dusty roads, people continued to come up to us asking questions and wanting us to come and see their houses. As well Marcos asked us to keep our eyes out for homes in bad shape. There were a few that he just knocked at, and that we checked, but none were that bad.

The last house we saw though was a very needy family. It was a two parent family with 5 children in a one room house, the walls were made of the maize with there being a big gap to the outside. There was one bed for the parents and one double bed for the 5 children, which was not in great shape. Compared to the others, which by no means were stellar, this one was the most impoverished. While the mother completed the application she shared that her husband works in Guatemala City and earns 700 quetzales per month, which is $80. For 7 people. My goodness. I imagine those kids are not going to school either as how can 7 people live on that?

Finally we finished, later than we were supposed to, and having to put people off until the next time. I was so dirty and exhausted but exhilarated by the experience. This is exactly what I was hoping for in coming to work for this project. And tomorrow will be a new day visiting more families, learning and experiencing even more. I can't wait!!