All Hands on Deck for 2010

(left to right) Luis Briseño, Luis Enrique Pereira, Arlaine (in back), Gustavo Adolfo Azmitia and Evelyn Herrera.

Last weekend, our Guatemalan Board of Directors visited the site, assessed the progress, and considered our priorities for the year. You may remember that our international board members visited just a few weeks ago. Everybody is now fully engaged for 2010 as we plan on completing at least one full duplex cabin and begin construction on the Main building and perhaps the Education/Arts center (if we're successful with a pending grant application).

A little bit about the local team above -- Luis Briseño, our fountain of information about the inner workings of Guatemala, Luis Enrique, our attorney, Evelyn Herrera, another wealth of information and source of help with the local population (and my Spanish teacher), and Gustavo, whose staff beautifully print our brochures. After our visit, we relaxed and enjoyed a feast at a local restaurant, complete with a celebratory bottle of Scotch (brought along by I won't say who, though not me, to toast commitment to our work ahead) and had a plain old good time.


P.S. Also, our newest addition -- Our Guardiana and Architect at the camp have been caring for the cutest little puppy ever. She needs a home and Sandy, if you're reading this, I know Zelda's a cat but I think she has a little competition.

Niños del Lago Newsletter

Here's the first newsletter for 2010 which reports 2009 financials, construction progress and general news. Also highlighted are meaningful opportunities to participate at the board level through this period of tremendous growth and development. Take a look and let us know if you're interested in any of the areas mentioned.
Niños del Lago Newsletter

Niños del Lago Board Meets in Guatemala

Top: Joni Daidone, USA and Karin Baimaan, Holland
Bottom: Madelon Smelik-Eling, Holland; Emese Szorenyi, USA; Me, Guatemala; Arlaine Cervantes, Guatemala

Our most recent visitors! Last week, our 2 Executive Boardmembers from Holland and one of our Executive Boardmembers from the States (Joni), along with our volunteer web designer (Emese) came to Guatemala to get a first hand look at the results of their very hard work.

If you've been reading the Niños del Lago newsletters, you'll know that we'd not be where we are today without Karin and Madelon who have consistently raised the largest percentage of the funds for Niños del Lago. And if you've seen our brochure, you'll see Joni and Emese's work. In the near future, when you see the redesigned NDL website you'll be even more impressed with them.

Together, we had a demanding and fun schedule which included, on most days, a local activity and a Niños del Lago meeting. This was the first time we met in person as one team to plan the year - and you know how much better these things go when you meet in person. We laughed alot and held productive meetings around communication strategy, fundraising and financials. It doesn't get much better than that.

Lastly - a photo of our home cooked lunch the day after their arrival that has to be shared because Emese (she is not to be missed) was looking down in the above picture, and I wanted you also to meet the two additional people from our Guatemalan Board of Directors. On the left: Ana Maria (short hair) and Evelyn Herrera (wavy hair). Ana Maria heads up a project of her own, a school in Alotenango (future Niños del Lago children) and Evelyn is also my strict (but loving) Spanish teacher who gets that I don't like to study.




Left to right: Karin, Ana Maria, Evelyn, Joni, Madelon, Emese.
I think I was cooking or sitting at the kids table.

Seeking Solar

The Solar Team: Alex, Blanca, Gaby and Blake

I came to the campsite for the first time since I've been back in Guatemala in order to enable solar experts to evaluate the camp for solar energy. With the group was Blake Manson, from Green City Development in the states, Alex, who works with Blake here in Guatemala, and Blanca and Gaby from ECO, a Guatemalan organization that works toward responsible, ecological construction for a more sustainable world.

Together, they will work with us and Capgemini employees in Poland to come up with a solar design to power the camp. We have some of the best resources helping us and I continue to be amazed at how everything just comes together when you are taking steps toward accomplishing your goals and are serious about it. Has that been your experience?

Sidenote: The world is so small. Alex is a friend of one of my house mates here and I'd met him on my first day back in Guatemala. Neither of us had any idea at the time that we'd be working together on a project. What a surprise it was to see him. I admit, I recognized his face and was having a hard time placing who he was - and he had been to my house. You know what it's like when you meet someone in one place and then you see them in a completely different context? It was like that. Sorry, Alex.

Niños del Lago receives radio coverage

Before returning to Guatemala, I was interviewed by Chicago Public Radio's Jerome McDonnell for their Worldview program. The worldview program covers global affairs and has in-depth conversations on world issues and their local impact.

The program will air tomorrow, January 28th. You can hear it on the air on 91.5 at 12:00 and then again at 9:00pm. You can also listen live via streaming on their website at Chicago Public Radio. Otherwise, it will live on their web archive.

Good friends, good music, good times, and a good cause.

This is what Success looks like to me!

We held an event to benefit Niños del Lago called Child's Play for Childrens Day. The event was held at the Irish Eyes in Chicago on 11/20 in celebration of Universal Childrens Day, the day the United Nations adopted the convention on the Rights of the Child.

Thanks to the efforts of my good friend and former co-worker, Sue Patel, who generously donated $413 she made in tips and my good friends Jean Erhardt and Andrea Pine who sold $505 worth of Guatemalan crafts, we received a total of $918. Add to that the personal benefit of seeing so many friends in one place at one time and I would say it was a smashing success!

A very special thanks to all of you who invited additional people and to those of you who attended.


Take a look at what your contributions are supporting (the camp construction photos in the right banner give you a good view of our progress). I hope you'll stay tuned to next year and watch the continuing development.

Niños del Lago coming alive

So much better than pictures! This is from a regular camera so the pictures in the slideshow on the right might still be a good complement.

I mention in the video that we lost a tree to disease - actually we lost 8 trees. Otherwise, we move trees and keep as much of the natural forest as possible. In fact, the clearing that you see in the very beginning is a clearing of brush along with replanting some smaller trees. No large trees were removed from the area.

The cabin's are duplex housing a total of 12 children and 2 counselors. There is a common entrance and shared bath for the counselors. Each side has an open space for the children to have quiet time with their counselor, sleeping room for six and an adjoined counselor's room with a large window to see the children.

I hope you enjoy this and have an even better sense of the work that we're doing here for Guatemala's children.

En Español:

Mucho mejor que las fotos!! Este video se ha realizado desde una cámara normal, así que las fotos en el slideshow de la derecha pueden todavía ser un buen complemento.
Menciono en el vídeo que hemos perdido un árbol debido a una enfermedad… De hecho, hemos perdido ocho. Estamos moviendo los árboles siempre que es posible, para preservar al máximo el entorno natural. El claro que se observa al principio, es un claro realizado moviendo arbustos y replantando árboles pequeños. No se ha movido ningún árbol grande de la zona.

Las cabinas son dúplex, y albergarán un total de 12 niños y 2 consejeros. Hay una entrada común y un baño compartido para los consejeros. Cada uno de los lados tiene un área separada para que los niños puedan disfrutar de privacidad con sus consejeros, una habitación para seis y una habitación para el consejero, la cual estará dotada de una ventana para que éstos puedan ver a los niños.

Espero que disfrutéis el video y os proporcione una idea más completa del trabajo que estamos llevando a cabo aquí para los niños de Guatemala.

Making Local Contacts

Arlaine and I were recently referred to Leonela Martinez (center), the former director of a student organization, AIESEC, and current employee of Guatemala's Habitat for Humanity office. Leonela has whole heartedly embraced our cause and has recently introduced us to AIESEC.

AIESEC is a great organization that provides internship opportunities for students from all over the world -- staffing projects in both the private and public sectors with the intention of developing leadership. They exist to be agents of change. The interns are responsible for thier own transportation to the country where the project exists and they receive a minimum stipend to cover the cost of their living expenses while there.

We met to discuss internship opportunities to design our solar program and begin developing our University Counselor Program. These are programs (among others) which will take center stage alongside of construction. Stay tuned.....

Camp Progress

Where do I begin? We've accomplished so much this year and I am excited to show you the pictures that demonstrate the progress we've made toward turning Niños del Lago into a reality. By the end of next month, we will have completed the entry roads, built the bodega (storage unit), prepared six cabin foundations with posts, and planted an avocado orchard.

When I first arrived in February, there was no construction in process - what was there were the very preliminary structures needed to secure the site and have water - fence, entrance, well,small security building etc. The land wasn't even cleared (re: 3/17/09 post).

We began the year working with Aura, our natural architect, to plan, estimate and budget the next phase of construction. For those of you who have done a major renovation or built a home, you probably have an idea of this process. It's time consuming, laborious and often frustrating (the price goes up, we change design in search of the most economical solution, something emerges that wasn't accounted for and it's back to the drawing board). Our approach has been to use natural materials as much as possible, build without destroying trees (in fact Aura will move them before losing them)and make the most economical choices that allow our camp to be sustainable and provide safety to the children. This has not always been easy, but the result - wait until you see!

The slideshow on the top right shows the entry roads, the progress of the bodega (storage unit), the various stages of the first six cabin foundations and a view of some of their placements. The cabins are not very far apart but are built on different elevations giving them a sense of privacy. Also, notice the natural river rock that forms the foundation and parts of the bodega wall. And, I threw in a few pictures from one of my prior visits with a visiting donor and friend so that you can see that I am alive and well.

This is the work that you are supporting and I don't think I can say often enough - Thank You. For those of you who have not yet participated and would like to, please click here: Donate - Niños del Lago . Your contribution, ensures my continuing work here in Guatemala, on behalf of those smiling faces that I'll continue to show you.

(If you're enjoying learning about Niños del Lago and my stories about life in Guatemala, click on the envelope after the post to share it with a friend. Also, add your email address to the 'Subscribe via email'box in the right column. By doing this, you will receive an update whenever I post an entry - much easier to stay in touch than having to check the site periodically)

Click here to see the pictures: Camp Pictures

Niños del Lago Newsletter

Hello everybody - I am so happy to post our newsletter (happy to share the news and happy it's over because it's alot of work!!). We have had much going on these past several months. Click on the newsletter link below and you can read all about our progress and what I've been doing in case you're wondering.

Arlaine, shares a part of her story of what inspired her to dedicate her life to Niños del Lago. You'll also read about "yours truly" and Aura who you met a couple of posts ago.

Equally exciting is the kick-off of a fundraising campaign with our Capgemini partner and the beginning of major construction, along with financial details on 2008. Happy Reading!

Newsletter

A big step for Niños del Lago

We recently participated in a media event in Guatemala City where Capgemini announced their partnership with Niños del Lago and presented us with a check for $10,000 as a donation toward the construction of our camp. I'll continue to try to upload the press coverage - haven't been successful yet - but as you might imagine it was so gratifying to be a part of this. This is a big step for us and a true indication that this dream is going to become a reality.
And so, another land clearing project is scheduled for this weekend where I'll have the opportunity to get bitten by mosquitos and shovel brush into a big pile – I can't wait. Actually, I get to use a machete. It's hard work but it's lots of fun because there's a large group of Capgemini employees who are really dedicated to helping to ensure this camp is built for the children in their country. I wish you could meet them. While the company is making this available as part of their admirable commitment toward Corporate Social Responsibility, there is a genuiness from their employees (and I mean everyone I've met so far) and their clients (OK I only met one) that honors the real intention of their effort. Above are the before and after pictures from our last land clearing.

I'm also including a few photos (below) of my home and the surrounding area so that you can be assured that I have enough to eat (Jean). You can make them bigger by clicking on them. Notice the outside office (not mine - this is at Arlaine's)and volcanoe view (this is from my rooftop terrace).


Take care everyone -- I miss you!!