Back Again.....

After a rather long and incredibly difficult journey back to Antigua, I was really happy to walk through the doors of Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro and walk the familiar corridor to the children’s ward. I was amazed by how quiet it was despite being 7.30am. The decorations were up, and sparkling and twirling in the morning sun and breeze, a small nativity scene greeted me as I walked through the ward doors, a small candle illuminating the family. In the past few weeks the two adjoining wards have been combined into one as quite a few children have gone for the Christmas break. So this time I walked through unfamiliar doors into another ward and was really happy to see some familiar faces. And you know who I was looking for…. and there she was wide awake and ready for her bottle. Perla in her pink and red pyjamas. Rolling up my sleeves I started the usual days work (after giving her a big kiss and hug)…feeding, washing dishes, and now preparing the bottles for the day and, after all that was done, I changed Perla and sat with her to catch up and sing some festive songs…….. also caught up with Lesley and all the news about the children. Perla was supposed to go but was not collected. I felt very sad for her even though I know she does not realise it.
One of the children we were worried about was moved to Intensive care and is now doing much better and has put on 1 lb. Another however has developed some additional problems so needs a lot more attention. There are only a few nurses on the ward and I am the only volunteer so we are kept pretty busy. Christmas day was like any other as we went about our daily work, BUT the radio played Christmas carols and some of the children were taken to the cathedral for mass. Some families came for a few hours to visit their children. The rest of the week went by in a whirl as I adjusted to being back…….

Home again!!

Paula and I in the park...Christmas Day and Night!!

Central Park during the day and at night...

Christmas Day 2008!!

I have spent some time settling into my new home and making it mine with my things I brought back from England!! Christmas here is big. On Christmas Eve the whole centre of town was lit up and everyone was out and about. Firecrackers had been going off all day to celebrate and then in the evening there was a most amazing firework display till 1.30am. Everyone was aghast as they looked up at the sky being illuminated with a thousand and one colours and lights, small children smiled, some cried and some blocked their ears to the booming sounds echoing through the valley, but all enjoying the fiesta. Santa walked amongst the families providing an opportunity to have a picture taken...no gifts exchanged hands here. As the impressive show finished we all walked back home through the streets littered with torn bits of paper from the fire crackers, as well as discarded food and drinks containers. The strong smell of phosphorus hung in the night air. It was time to go home and open presents and prepare the Christmas dinner. I thought of you all, probably getting ready for Boxing day breakfast. I missed everyone.

The next day, Christmas day, I was told to go home before 12 noon. The reason being that at midday on Christmas day every family in every street lets off hundreds of firecrackers, and yes it was amazing and very noisy for two hours!! Once again streets were littered as I ventured out in the afternoon, men already sweeping the streets and the park. Many places were open for coffe and cake and lunches for tourists and residents alike, but not a turkey in sight!!

This weekend its being at home and catching up on household chores. Next week beckons with the promise of a new year with many new beginnings and so much more……..
WISHING EVERYONE PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS AND JOY FOR 2009 AND BEYOND…..

Enjoy
Adios Amigos
Goodnight
Xxx

INTERMISSION

SAD WEEK...

Work has been relatively quiet as all but 16 children have now returned to their homes. Two more are expected to go including Perla, but its not certain. One child has had to return to the special nutritional unit as he is losing weight far too rapidly and cant be fed by mouth. Each and every cot is being cleaned and disinfected, as are all the mattresses and wheelchairs. Carpets are being taken out and washed and cupboards and drawers fumigated. Next we will wash and sort out all the toys and books and try to get some order into the place.
I feel sad as the end of week approaches.

BUT, I will be back in a couple of weeks and I look forward to that…….

New home…

Well its certainly been a very busy week since I last wrote. I finally moved into my flat and then spent two days just trying to buy all the things I need in the house…like cutlery and plates, and of course food now that I finally get a chance to cook my own food!!!
I have also had two crazy worries: firstly at the beginning of the week being told that the time for my connecting flight is insufficient as there is only 50 minutes between landing and take off!!! You can imagine my concern. So I rechecked the next day and the next to be told yesterday that it has changed again, and now I have 2 hours for a turn around so no problems…but…..
Last week I had to send off my passport for a renewal of visa and it was meant to be back today and its not! So again frantic calls and visits beckon, I should have it tomorrow!! By the way I could not have sent it earlier as they don’t process visas until the week they expire!
Hopefully by Saturday all will be fine and then it will just be the anxious waiting for the taxi on Sunday morning to get me to the airport on time.
All being well I should be in London on Monday, 1st December in the morning ready to see everyone. I expect to be away for two weeks before returning to Antigua to continue my work.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, KIND WORDS, GENEROSITY AND LOVE AND CARE THROUGH THESE PAST FEW MONTHS.

Despite being away from everyone I have never felt really alone, knowing that you are all with me providing support and strength.

To be honest I never really liked the idea of a keeping a blog, but now I am just so happy as you have all been able to share this journey with me. Thank you Raju for convincing me and setting it up and everyone who helped answering all the practical and technical questions, and there have been many!!!!
So until I return .
Take care and stay safe
Enjoy
Adios Amigos
Goodnight

Xxx

Changes.....

Strange times

After the party last Friday this week has been really strange. Arriving on Monday morning I was surprised to find that only one of the children’s family had come to pick her up. The nurses spent one hour with them explaining about her medication and food requirements. They seemed strangely uninterested in the whole episode, I suspect they were worried about the next few weeks. I asked the nurses and they said maybe more families will come during the week.
Tuesday and 5 more had left some of the younger ones who don’t need a lot of attention, just adequate feeding and a lot of loving. I raced over to Perla’s cot to find that she was still there. I was told that she probably wont go, although she does have a family on the register. I felt quite sad at this revelation.
Sadly I had to have a day off this week as was suffering from a cough and a slight fever. I was packed off home by the nurses.
Friday morning and back at work, it was fairly quiet as many of the children had left over the past two days. It was strange not to see all the usual faces and hear the usual sounds and greetings. I was feeding a young boy when his family arrived. The mother had a baby on her back and two toddlers walking behind and another girl holding the grandma’s hand. I was amazed. The nurse introduced me to the mum and I handed over the bottle and walked to another child. After 5 minutes she came over and told me that he was not feeding. We told her that he took at least 40 minutes to finish one bottle!! So I took over while they consulted with the doctors and nurses before leaving. Some of the families live very far away and on farms in basic accommodation so I can understand their anxieties. We are all concerned about the children but also know that we have to let them go and hope that all will be fine.
The boy I am looking after is doing much better now though he has his ups and downs, he will not be going home as he is far too ill and is still being feed through a tube.

The weekend beckons and I suspect more will leave over the weekend. Its just not the same with so many away, I dread to think what next week will be like. On the other hand,, I did get to wash the whole playground with cold water on a cold and windy day…… despite my cold there is always work to be done!!
I wonder what next week will bring?

A PROBLEM.....

These past few weeks I am beginning to realise that its going to be very difficult to keep the blog interesting!!! Like everything else, after the dust has settled and new experiences arrive less frequently, it’s a real challenge to keep the momentum going. However I will try my best to keep it interesting with photos.
Next week is an exciting week for me, firstly because I will move into my own apartment and secondly I will be heading off to UK for about 2 weeks before returning to continue my work.
I have decided to find my own place because I need to be independent. The house I live in at the moment is quite a way out of town and in a rough area and the family, though very hospitable and friendly need their own space too. So have found a place right in the centre of town. It is safe , I will be able to cook my own meals and more importantly it is much cheaper.
This week I discovered a mayan market held outside a church ruin and had my first experience at Cine Lounge where I devoured a huge plate of nachos before going in to watch the latest Indiana Jones movie…..
Maybe there are more things to discover around Antigua after all.

The evening light at the moment is amazing and tonight walking home from town I took these
pictures of the volcano….its truly beautiful.
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx

FUN AND GAMES.....

Fue muy divertido.

Monday started with much excitement as we prepared the older children to attend a dance extravaganza!!! A group of dancers had been working with some of the staff and the more older patients at the hospital to put together a show. So we all lined up around the hall and as the first notes of the music started, everyone started to clap and cheer. Laughter filled the room as a group of older children in wheelchairs were wheeled onto the dance floor with their nurses and physiotherapists all dressed up in jeans, shades and leather jackets, yes it was time for Rock and Roll!! Lots of old rock and roll music, and of course Grease and to top it all an Elvis impression and a finale to Jailhouse Rock in Spanish, it was just fantastic. Then we all got onto the dance floor with our children in their wheelchairs and had a few turns and shakes around the dance floor It really was a lot of fun BUT I forgot to take my camera! Sorry no pics of Elvis in Antigua.

The other exciting news this week was that one of the children who had been taken to ICU returned needing a lot of care. So one of the tasks I was given was to give him his medicine in the mornings and then keep an eye on him during the day. Its hard to try to communicate when the only way he can communicate is through sounds of distress. So I talked to him and held his hands and stroked his head and arms etc until he was relaxed and able to sleep intermittently. I remembered how important it is to have someone near, some physical contact, when we are ill or unwell. This child has just half a kidney!! Its been a few days now and he is much better, and he is able to sit in his wheelchair and be out in the garden for a few hours each day. This makes us all very happy.
Its also been a week for cutting nails and checking for nits…not great but better than cleaning ears.

Today we had a party for all the children in the ward. .
The nurses all dressed up as clowns and we all entertained children from three wards, with music, pinayatas and of course cake and juice and finally small presents for each of the children. It was a really great day and the sun shone and music blared in the small garden. Visitors to the hospital watched from behind the gates and two families arrived to take their children home. By lunch time everyone was really exhausted. I think its great the way all the staff dress up and dance and entertain the children whenever possible.

From next week some of the children will start going home to their families for the Christmas period . Though this is good it is also a time of high anxiety. Some of the children who have been fed through tubes have had the tubes removed and we have been bottle feeding them in preparation for their trip home. This is not easy as it inevitably takes a very long time to get just one, or even a half a bottle of milk down. This can be a problem for the family. In the past many children have returned underfed and some with broken bones or other problems because the family just cant cope with them. An anxious time indeed.
Though many are signed out to be with their families, we don’t know how many families will actually turn up….. We hope that many will.

They wll go home with presents

A Quiet Time in Antigua........

The Famous Fountain and Cathedral in Antigua.

CAFE SKY.......Last weekend I decided to stay around Antigua and visit some of the places around here, and catch up with some friends who have now left after 2 months here. I also went to the movies and saw Burn after Reading, the new Coen Bros movie, and that old classic Meet Joe Black.
A stroll around the market and a visit to Sky Café for some lovely views of the town on the roof top while sipping a cool drink!!!Also found some second hand book stores which I think I will be visiting regularly.
This weekend I will be in Antigua again catching up on the usual household chores, trip around the market and of course learning Spanish.
So till next week….
Adios Amigos
Goodnight
Xxx

GOOD NEWS.....

Some good news arrived today; the heart surgery that one girl had to have recently was successful. The parents came in all smiles and thanked all the people who had helped them…..a few weeks ago when I heard about it, I used some of the money donated to me for Guatemala to help the family and make it possible for the little girl to have the operation. She is making a good recovery and should be back to normal very soon.
I have also contributed a sum of money to buy food for groups of very poor people, some of whom live in the streets. We shall be giving out the food on the 14th and 28th of November to help them through the next few weeks. Finally, because of your support, I have decided to buy Christmas presents for the children in the ward at the hospital and buy some food for their Christmas party. Most of them will be at the hospital over the Christmas period, we are hoping that some of the families will come to collect their children for a short visit home. I will also be working during this period as some of the nurses will be on leave.



A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.

The week has passed by very quickly again with much to do. Apart from the many of the now routine duties, I also accompanied a nurse and some children to church for mass. Many of the children have to go to mass regularly and so the volunteers help wheel them there. The ceremony lasted an hour and it was amazing to see some of the children who are normally very loud and uncontrolled, sit so very quietly and almost still during the service!! Though it was not without the odd scream or laughter! The new children have settled in well now and are a part of the family and luckily are putting on weight, today it took me almost 45 minutes to feed one of them, but he finished it all, we were all so happy at his achievement. The trips to the park have commenced again as the afternoon sun is quite strong and warm, this is great as the children really love it as do we!!

The weekends are really important here to get some time to relax after a week at work. Travelling in Guatemala is very cheap which has made it possible for me to visit many places. For example a return trip to Monterrico is £7.00. This weekend I may go to Copan in Honduras for the day with a friend; the return trip is £12.50. I also need to renew my visa before the 24th of November.


Hence the time to relax and get in some hiking or sightseeing!!







El Dia de los Muertos November 1st -2nd.

A cold chill blew as we boarded the bus for Santiago to witness this colourful and lively celebration. When we arrived in Snatiago the town was buzzing with people walking towards a cemetery high on a hill, running the gauntlet of store holders eager to sell kites as well as goods to make the most of this opportunity. The smell of food cooking on open fires greeted us as we reached the cemetery. Above us we could see some kites already air borne and swaying gently in the wind. This is a special ‘Day of the Dead’ where families decorate the graves, starting at 4.00am, and giant kites are set free in order to make a contact between the living and the dead. The kites being the vehicle of contact between the dead and the living. Tradition has it that kites are flown to clean the path for the souls as they visit the homes of their living relatives and families on the earth.



For me it was amazing to see the colours of the flowers and the decorations on the grave, quickly followed by the site of people sitting on the gravestones and tombs eating, drinking and talking, it had the atmosphere of a festival which of course it is! People selling food, eating and drinking, children playing with small kites of all sizes and colours. Then turning a corner we saw a huge kite, with amazing decorations and colours. (People start working on the kites months before the actual day, each outdoing the other in terms of size and colours.) The amount of work gone into making one of them must be incredible, the structure, the designs, the colours and then the huge flags for the top of each one. On the ground nearby a group of people were putting the finishing touches on another huge kite.


The size of the bamboo strung together to hold the shape was like huge scaffolding. Looking around we saw the main place from where the kites were being flown so we headed towards it, carefully stepping over the ropes holding the kites to ensure that we wouldn’t trip or indeed be picked up and dragged across the ground…..
Lifting a kite is quite something, at least 5 men hold the kite and as many young men are on the ground holding the rope, it soon becomes a tug of war against the wind. The most extraordinary thing is that people trample all over the graves as they are pulled backwards and forwards in an effort to keep the kite flying or indeed keep it from getting tangled up with other kites. I could not believe it as I am sure it would not be allowed anywhere else. Dust swirled around us as the youngsters clung on to the rope being pulled this way and that, the dust rising from the graves.

The sound of clapping filled the air as a kite lifted high and then just as quickly it turned into groans and shouts as everyone tried to evade it as it plummeted to the ground, enveloping families and groups of children… and us. Young men desperately tried to keep control of the rope and people jumped around trying not to get entangled in the mess. Once settled the task began again as the kites were repaired and taken to the main point. It really was spectacular. Apparently this goes on all night so that the spirits can return to the sky after meeting with their families.

By mid afternoon, four giant kites were up and on display and many others swayed in the sky guiding the spirits.. As dusk drew closer people wrapped up warm and tight against the evening air, children donned their multicoloured coats and hats and snuggled against their mothers. Music played and the festivities continued as we headed back through town to board our bus. Looking back I could see the twinkling lights of the lanterns and candles flickering on the hill and the gentle swaying of the kites slowly disappearing behind the dark clouds.
Enjoy
Adios amigos.
Goodnight


Xxx