The school year in Guatemala runs January to October- something that has taken me a while to get the feel for. We are now in the rainy season, a time they call “invierno,” which means winter. But the weather is beautifully warm, and the rain usually just comes in the late afternoon or at night. The long vacation from school is between October and January (kind of like our regular summer vacation). Right now, the kids are off for two weeks, a mid-year break.
It has really
hit home this week just how much the situation here at NPH Guatemala has
changed. The majority of the kids are away, with their families; less than a
hundred remain here at the home. Those here are the true orphans, those with no
meaningful connection with extended family outside of NPH. The rest have places
they can go, and most look forward to their time away. I am told that they often return with a
renewed appreciation for what they have here- many spend their vacation weeks
with relatives living in extreme poverty: dirt floor, corrugated metal walls
and roof… Others will stay with family living in dangerous neighborhoods of
Guatemala City. Some will come back damaged from time spent with those
struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Some will come back having been
physically or emotionally (and occasionally, sexually) abused. Some will come
back malnourished and dirty. Needless to say, when they arrive back, the first
stop is at the clinic for physical and psychological exams.
Guatemalan
law requires that the kids leave during the breaks if it is at all possible. Apparently
there is a real “anti-institution” movement here, and as I have written
elsewhere. Even if there are no parents, work is done to find some kind of
blood relative who can care for the child during school vacation time. Naturally,
if there is a sense of imminent danger to the child, we can work to ensure that
the child does not go to the place of danger. But it is often not until after
the damage has been done that we find out.
This is not
to say that all have a rough time at home. I understand that for many, it
really is a wonderful experience, something they truly look forward to. The
fact that so many have family outside of NPH is a real challenge to the family model
that the organization here has tried to develop and foment. But certainly it is
better to have family than not to have family. We continue to tinker with the
model to find ways to maintain its core while adapting to a much different
reality than Father Wasson envisioned.
For the kids
who remain during vacation, we work hard to keep them occupied and active.
There are more activities than usual (I am inviting them in groups for a hot
dog lunch on the patio of my new residence). The new Superman movie is here in
Spanish, and so one day they managed to surprise the older kids with a bus ride
to Chimaltenango and a movie. There is a real sensitivity to the fact that the
kids remaining may feel a deep sadness during this time, as their being alone
here while others are away rubs in the nature of their situation.
QUINCE AÑOS
Right before
the vacation began, we celebrated the Quince Años celebration for nine of our
girls. This 15th birthday is,
I suppose, a little like the “Sweet Sixteen” at home for us gringos. The
Spanish-speaking in the US often also celebrate the Quinceañera. Donations were
secured from local individuals and groups that allowed the purchase of prom
gowns for the girls. Someone came in and did their makeup, and it really was a
beautiful day. We began with a Mass in the Comedor, decorated to the hilt.
After the Mass, the girls and their consorts performed a choreographed waltz,
which they had practiced for the past couple of months. This was followed by a
formal dinner and a dance with raucous, obnoxiously loud music (the loud music
is par for the course for events here.) They were up until after 11pm, which is
super late for them; the kids are generally in bed with lights out by 8 or 8:30
every night.
It was great
having all of the Pequeños here- including those from the High School houses in
nearby Chimaltenango and those from the university house in the capital. In
addition, if the girls had relatives they wanted to invite, they were able to
invite them. I also met a number of former “Pequeños” who have since grown up
and are living on their own. And so, this event is kind of like a family
reunion. The Guatemalan newspaper actually did a little piece on it with a
picture of the girls all dressed up.
CHAPEL UPDATE
I am working
with an architect, a couple of NPH kids studying architecture at the
university, and the local parish pastor to come up with a design that we can
use for the final push to raise funds. Of course, once we bid out the job,
reality may set in, and we may have to simplify. Some of the work can be done
by us here (the carpentry shop can build the pews and doors; the metal shop may
be able to handle the windows), but I think it will be best to find a
contractor for the main construction. We might be able to handle it ourselves,
but I think it would take forever. Volunteers coming in can help with some
things, but I don’t think there is anyone on site who is really in the position
to take this on as an in-house project.
Here is what we are planning for
+ A seating
capacity of 400 adults (The present population, including high school and
university kids, is just under 350. Using the space of the ambulatory and in
back, there should be space for the larger celebrations that take place a
couple of times each year.)
+ The chapel
should have a prominent presence among the buildings, but still fit in with the
style of those around it
+ The construction should be fairly simple, not
extravagant- reflecting the situation of the children, and the fact that
everything here comes from private donations from generous individuals and
organizations.
+ We will consider the possibility of taking advantage of
the slope of the terrain and investigate incorporating into the design a room
underneath to be used for meetings- only if this does not increase the price
too much.
+ We would also like to have a “patio” in front, perhaps
enclosed by a wall, to define the space and provide a transition between the
“profane” and “sacred” spaces.
+ We will choose a design with a traditional form- basilica
or cruciform. Also, a form and design that are compatible with what is
generally found in this diocese.
