‘Feliz ano Nuevo,’ in Central America this means ‘Happy New Year’! Here in Guatemala things are quieting down a bit, as the holidays are now over. No more firecrackers being blown off at every hour of the day. Things are finally back to normal. Shortly, we will be having Peter and Bob returning to us. It will be helpful as their services have been missed.

As far as the project goes, we have been successful in bringing fresh water to the village of Laguna El Pito in order to make their lives considerably easier and healthier. Our previous driller, James Squire, drilled this well next to the community soccer field. Ted and George have hooked up a generator last week on the 27th, which is pumping the water out of the well at a minimum of twenty-five to forty-five gallons per minute. The neighbors, who have their adobe dwelling next to the well site, now have a huge pond on their property as the water from the over-flowing well is running onto their back yard. This is a great luxury to the ducks, dogs, and the local kids for swimming, but mostly to the women who now don’t have to travel so far to wash their clothes.

This experience has made me really think about my own life style in Canada. Seeing these people so happy because of the water, bringing their countless buckets and their washing stones, is something that we probably would not be rejoicing over, or be giving thanks to God for. It makes me feel like we’re really accomplishing something. It really made me think twice about the little pleasures that we have which most of us think we couldn’t live without… our cup of coffee in the morning, our favorite TV program, our nice houses (which probably aren’t made of mud.) Even here at camp, with our simple life style of tents and outhouses, I feel that we live like royalty compared with the average Guatemalan family. It’s really the life of simplicity here and it is quite a humbling experience. Looking at their children, which they prize so dearly, it makes me reflect on their demise and I have to acknowledge the fact that they really do not have much of a future to look forward to. What are the chances that any of these children will ever be in politics, real estate, or have a chance of becoming a millionaire? All that they can do is what their fathers before them have done, farm the land, make the best of what they can grow each season (if the rains are generous), and hope that they live to see the next generation grow up in a better world than they did.

For the average person in Canada, we don’t realize how important water actually is. People say that it is ‘life giving,’ and is absolutely impossible to live without. Last week, we visited a man-made water hole, which was around seventy feet in diameter and roughly fourteen feet deep. Out of this hole are several little pipes that are used to deliver a little bit of the brown, contaminated water to every house in our part of the mountain. At each of the mud dwellings there is a tap sticking out of the ground, which provides them with a little drinking water that many times seems to do more damage to their health than good. The people are not allowed to use this water for irrigation, as there is so little of it. If they are caught doing so, their meager water supply is cut off for a period of time. When this does happen, it is quite detrimental as the average family consists of both parents, around six kids and sometimes the grandparents. Having the deep water wells as a result of The Wells of Hope project will increase water supply by over seventy-five percent and will greatly improve their health. Just think of the possibilities!

Yesterday, we began construction on our garden here at camp. Thanks to the Denis Morris High School crew the soil was spread out and ready to grow some vegetables. We have built a fence around the perimeter of the garden so the dogs and chickens do not destroy our work. The sweat hoses have also been laid down and with the water they supply, provided by the well, we will grow our own vegetables during a time of year that the Guatemalans have come to call “the season of death” because of the lack of food and water during this period.

The construction on both schools has also been successful and everything looks good. As far as the first school goes, we have started working on collecting stones for the floor and the veranda. Yesterday, we began administration for the schools. The first school has a total of 90 students thus far. The teachers have also been hired, and they look like they're ready for action! The students will be taught outside under the hot sun until the school is completed. For the second school, we now have four block layers, which is making the work go by considerably faster. They are now past the windows. Marc was telling me that he is constantly being reminded that these schools are for the good of the children and their future and that no matter how tough it may be to persevere through the hard times, one glance in the eyes of the young students makes him energized. Its giving that next generation of Guatemalans the chance to perhaps one day become a political leader, a real estate dealer or even the next millionaire, and hopefully use these qualities to then better the lives of the next generation behind them.. Everyone deserves a chance, no matter how poor or less fortunate. Marc also pointed out how awesome it is to see the whole community come together to make these schools possible for their children. No matter how much help we send over here from Canada, it’s these people who are going to make it possible to actually work, and its incredible how much they want their education. I think back on how it is in Canada, and how much our education is taken for granted. How many kids are either skipping school, or not finishing their grade twelve, when the people here would do anything for even a basic education. It is a real eye opener! Only by God’s will and grace will we complete everything that we are striving to accomplish. Thank you for all you thoughts and prayers!! Hasta la vista, until next time!

Chantelle S. Hodgkinson

Water for People

American Water Works Association

Canadian Water Quality and Health

Visit the Niagara Warehouse of Hope

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