More of my kids with special needs!

Pictures of my class and students

Courtesy of Mom and Dad and their Snapfish site haha!

Mon and Dad in Guatemala

When my parents came to visit, we visitied the market in Chichi, Lake Atitlan, and Monterrico. Afterwards, we visited the house and they got to meet all of my kids. It was really nice having them here!!

MOM AND DAD!!!

MY MOM AND DAD ARE COMING TO VISIT TOMMOROW (February 27th)!!!!!

Ode to my volunteer buddies

Now that I have been here for a while, the other volunteers are getting to be my close friends. It is really helpful through stressful times, because they really are the only people who truly understand the orphanage and how hard it can be. I thought I´d share some pictures of them since they are a part of this whole experience that I will never forget.

I climbed a volcano!

One amazing thing about guatemala is that there are volcanoes all over! You walk outside and there are literally views of volcanoes that would take your breath away! Last weekend, I actually climbed a volcano called Pacaya, about an hour outside of Antigua, Guatemala. It took about 2 hours to go up, then another 2 to come back down. The rocks at the top were really hot and there was even a little bit of fire, which we used to cook marshmallows. This volcano is active and sometimes there is supposedly lava at the top, but we didnt see any when we went. Here are some pictures!

My new class and job

School started again a month ago, and I was upgraded to a new class. Now, due to changes in local personnel, I am with the moderate disabilities class all day. I teach from 7:30 to 1 everyday, and then supervise the workshop jobs in which I have integrated my students. Its alot more like how a special education job in the states would be, so I am getting some great practical experience that I can use when I get back. It´s an interesting time to be working with this group of students, because they have special needs, and most are almost 20 years old. So what happens next? Do we keep them in school forever, or find an alternative job for them within the orphanage? Because of Guatemala being so disability unfriendly, it is virtually impossible that they would be integrated outside due to their lack of family contacts. So I have been working with them in class to increase their independence, hygiene, work habits, etc so they can be productive within the orphanage for the rest of their lives.

Another interesting thing that happened is that a new group of volunteers started working in January. Most of my friends are still here, but it has changed the dynamic within the family a little bit. So far, most of the new people are getting along well with me!

Its strange to have so many changes now... I feel almost like I am starting over again! But, I have been in country for 7 months and 24 days, and if I have learned anything it is that this place is completely unpredictable and unstable. Thats what makes it a good learning experience....be flexible, be flexible, be flexible.