Llegamos!

Well after two real easy flights, all 17 of us arrived in Guatemala City on Monday. We are in Guatemala City until the 22nd taking classes at the Universidad Landivar, a Jesuit school just within the city limits. Our focus for the first bit of the trip is on early Mayan culture. Yesterday was Mayan epigraphy, today is Mayan music. Fun stuff.

Anyway... while Josh, Julie, Sam, and I were on a quick run yesterday morning we ran past Amigos de Los Ninos Hogar "Tio Juan". I stopped by quickly to find out more information and then in the evening Justin, Julie, and I spent some time talking to the director and finding out more about el hogar (home) and seeing if we could help in any capacity.

Tio Juan (Uncle John), the blessed individual who started el hogar 36 years ago told us about the history of el hogar... El hogar has been in Guatemala City since 1976 serving as a home to street children from all over Guatemala City. Currently it is the home for 318 boys from ages 4-22. What is cool about the place is that the older boys take care of the younger boys and every child at el hogar has some sort of responsibility around the house. So there is no need for maids, nurses, or parental figures. And Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm the boys have school right at el hogar. Teachers come in and teach all the way up to the high school level. Then they carry on to the university level. Mas informacion: http://www.micasa.org.gt/

Given the nature of our schedule, Tio Juan said it would be difficult for us to volunteer or at the very least hang out at el hogar mucho. I was very happy with his honesty. By the time the boys got to know our names, we would be gone. However, simply meeting Tio Juan was a blessed experience. I am happy we got to see how el hogar runs and even more happy that Justin, Julie, and I got to meet an individual so dedicated to positively changing the lives of thousands of children.

Musica de la Maya hoy! Gracias todos...