Part 32 "Young Beaders"

Michelle writes:

I'm getting an education about fair trade products. Fair trade is defined as products from third world countries where the people are paid a fair wage for their work. Fair trade is often calculated by the time spent in making the product and materials used, based on the daily wage of the region. 

There are no regulations as to what is truly fair trade, and many products are sold with that labeling but were bought at the markets with haggling and desperate vendors involved. 

     Many of the street vendors here will keep dropping their price in hopes of a sale. Often you realize they can't pay for their supplies and time selling at the low prices they are willing to take, but the economic reality is such that they need some cash to take home after a day of attempting to sell to the few tourists. The tourism industry has been hit hard since 9-11 and the recent housing slump.

These are the young beaders who make necklaces and bracelets (shown below) to sell in the US as fair trade products.

The young beaders who work for "Sharing the Dream" are delighted to have a job where the beads are supplied and they are paid for each piece created, not having to wait until after the sale. A couple of the girls had previously sold their products to a local shop. They found that after they were paid, the money received would only cover the purchase of new supplies. They had not received anything for their time.

Part 31 "Adisa"

Michelle writes:

Hola! Recently, Lana from Sioux Falls was here in Santiago. She teaches in the physical therapy department at the University of South Dakota, and over the years, has brought many students to Guatemala for a global experience. I was able to accompany Lana to Adisa, a school for special needs children. 

Adisa was started by a woman named Argentina who had a special needs child. This lovely, clean, and cheery school provides therapy and classes for infants and school-aged children.

The school provides services for children from several villages. We met a mother whose daughter has cerebral palsy. She lives in San Lucas and the pickup ride costs 3Q each way. The expense makes it prohibitive to attend more than two days a week.

Adisa is a model program in Guatemala empowering families to care for their disabled children. Learn more about Adisa at:  www.adisagt.org

Adisa also has a workshop in Santiago where products made from newspaper provide an income for the adults. 

Four-inch strips of newspaper are rolled, then flattened, then spiraled. I purchased a beautiful 14" bowl.

Napkin holders made from folded newspaper

These handcrafts have been featured in National Geographic.

We also visited the hospital, a new building that had its grand opening in 2010. An addtional wing is still under construction. Here, we were given a tour by a med student from Virginia, who is volunteering for six weeks. The hospital has a director and three other doctors on staff, with volunteers coming and going throughout the year, each for a one-month minimum commitment.  

Emergency Room

Operating Room

Radiology had the basic x-ray equipment, but no MRI or CAT scan. ER, surgery, pediatrics, labor and delivery have three beds for overnight stays and a beautiful garden for the mothers to walk in while laboring.

This dental office equipment is just waiting for a dentist.

 Not UPS, but GuatEX for safe and timely deliveries

Lana brings students to Santiago to fit wheelchairs, work with the children of Adisa, and provide foot care to the elders at the center. There are many areas of need, so whatever your talents, there are places to volunteer. Learn more about the hospital at: www.hospitalitoatitlan.org