While I was in Coban I visited the Project of my German friends (Stefan and co,). A lot of the kids that attend the school live in the land fill dump. Myself and Stefan were invited by a family to there home to discuss possible projects I might undertake there later in the year. Possibly run workshops on how to improve there homes etc. Taking photos is a strict no no for obvious reasons. These photos have been managed to be taken over time by different volunteers. They speak for themselves...........
This is the main school, national school on right, secondary school on left..... Stefan is the English teacher for the school and Lara is a teacher in the national school. When I asked how was the project financed, whose idea was it, who runs it. Inevitably there is only one answer. Padre Sergio, a Spanish priest who arrived in Guatemala about 15 years ago and has created an oasis of hope in the depths of despair. Awe inspiring at the very least.
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| This building is adjacent to the school and is where the kids who live on site full time stay. A lot of the kids here come from abusive homes or simply their parents cannot afford to feed them. Fine feed too I may add................ |
Why do all this? In the words of Esperanza Community website and via Google translate............ "Education is central to achieving a harmonious and equitable development. There is a close relationship between ignorance and poverty, between ignorance and underdevelopment or Third World country. Only education will dispel ignorance, opening lines of development of the nation, of all Guatemalans. Education, then, is not only a basic and fundamental human right, but one possibility is a priority for the country is heading in the paths of justice and peace, founded on equality of opportunity. The illiterate masses are the dramatic expression of a great failure as a country and are also the ballast for a comprehensive development always postponed. A society that is strongly committed to education, can not expect an improvement in the quality of life for the majority poor and peace. On the other hand, in a society begins to rely uncritically in technology and consumption, decreased sense of humanity, and breeds a culture of unscrupulous ecological degradation, social and ethical. That is why the Esperanza Community Association in the town of Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, intended as an alternative to human development." Education is the key......
I have not asked him but I am sure that it is this sentiment that inspired Stefan to come up with the idea of a trip to Tikal. Above all else (as I have already mentioned in previous blogs) whether it be in La Cumbre or in Coban there is a distinct difference in self esteem between peoples of Myan and Spanish decent. By arranging a trip to Tikal, the most awe inspiring remaining monument of the Great Myan people, this just might give the kids something to be proud of and help them think a little differently about themselves. Since the idea was first mentioned of bringing all the 200 school kids to Tikal on a two day trip with seminars in Spanish and their own native language along with a visit to the ruins, I have honestly tried to find fauly with this idea and I cant. For instance when we brought the kids of Santa Lucia to the zoo at xmas, there was the one minor fault that we were going to a zoo. In fact it seems to get better and better. Just imagine us as Irish had the pride beaten out of us, we were ignorant of Newgrange, would a trip there make a difference. Would it fill me with pride to learn all about it, my ancestors and visit it on winter soltace to see its greatness. Yes it would. These kids will never get the chance visit Tikal other than this. The date of the 14 of June (Myan day of children) is set, myself and the 4 Germans are fundraising, I need 1,000 euros. I will be in contact.....
Because this is such a faultless idea. We (Seeds of Help) are going to try and bring the 13 kids who are on scholarships, along with the younger siblings hopefully (40 in total) on a similar trip. We are a little bit further away so a realistic stop over point is Coban. Hopefully between running the construction workshops at the weekends and the fundraising for the trip to Tikal a month earlier I might have enough favours due that we might just get a warm hall to stay for the night. Semuc Champey, is quite close to Coban so if possible we will take a detour there before heading for Tikal. This is my fundraising until August I promise people. I think we will need 5,000 in total, 1,000e for my contribution to the Coban Tikal trip and 4,000e for the La Cumbre Tikal trip. It sounds like a lot but I know it is more than possible. I am not expecting one person to raise even 500 euro by trhemselves so dont let the final figure put you off, 50 euro by a coffee morning is fantastic. It all adds up. A little from a lot and we will be laughing. Also we have over 5 months. Easy : ) Now I have had a lot of offers from near and far for fundraising. I am going to cash them in for these very special projects. I will be in contact with individuals who have already offered to help soon with details of the Seeds of Help bank accounts and to help you in anyway I can. If anybody else is interested in helping please leave a message here, e mail me roryoconnor25@gmail.com, we can arrange a skype or I will try answer any questions you have as best I can. Thanks to everyone for your support so far and thanks in advance to everyone who is going to spend time and effort fundraising for this cause. Not the land of saints and scholars for nothin lads come on please.
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| Semuc Champey near Coban |
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