Southridge Volunteers

A heartfelt thank you to Southridge for a great week of volunteering! This was Southridge’s third time volunteering in Guatemala at Project Somos and once again, the school sent a great team of very hard working volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While here, the team of twenty students and three teachers did many different things;

• hauled dirt
• made hundreds of adobe blocks
• assisted in the preschool in the mornings
• offered programming for the kids in the afternoon
• sorted and labelled our growing collections of children’s books
• organized a very fun Kids’ Afternoon for the local children
• peeled, chopped and cleaned in the kitchen
• painted the Learning Centre
• re-laid and grouted the stones in the Gathering Place
• planted a flower garden in front of the Learning Centre

At Project Somos, we employ a team of local men throughout the year. When volunteers arrive it is a lot of fun for them. The work site becomes more lively and everyone works side by side. It’s the a time of year our workers look forward to. They love the extra hands and energy of the Canadian volunteers and they make some great memories during their visits.

On the last evening with the volunteers we had our traditional pizza buffet in our wood-fired brick oven. Following that, the students cuddled with our kids while Antolin hosted a campfire and gave a short talk on the Mayan tradition.

Many of the students held back their tears as they said good-bye to our kids. I reminded them that they are always welcome to return the next time Southridge is here, come on their own or come with their parents and siblings for a family trip. Our kids would also really appreciate if volunteers can stay in contact by writing letters or by calling via Skype.

Once, again, a big THANK YOU to all the Southridge volunteers who journeyed here to Project Somos to help us. We really appreciate your support!

And thank you so much for the team that made the lovely quilt and the book which tells the story of the quilt-making. This will be added to our quilt collection and one day soon, a child will choose this as his/her forever quilt.

-Heather Alicia Knox

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Project Somos Guatemala