Three women from the Saint Cloud Diocesan Council spent some time in Quatamala recently. Here are some thoughts and photos of their adventure.
We visited the Eldercare Center on Monday of our trip. We rode in the back of a pick-up for 45 minutes around dormant volcanoes. No city bus, just public pick-up! In Santiago Atitlan we walked to the Eldercare Center. This is where our group leader Shelby Vaske's daughter Lauren works. She is the director, I think.
We were told through a translator about the 30 years of civil war form 1966 to1996 when the fathers and sons fought to keep their native land but were defeated by the large food growers corporations. Thus the people were forced to live up higher in the hillsides where the land is less desirable and many women and children were left widows and orphans.
The center prepares meals three times a week, M, W, & F. The women come early not only for the food, but for companionship. They are given vitamins and cup of coffee. Then in their containers they are given about 2 cups of homemade soup and 7 fresh corn tortillas. Back at their homes they may not have money to buy wood to prepare a meal or may not even have a stove.
In the upper level of the building is a bead shop. Young women are paid by the number of pieces of jewelry that they make, given fair trade wages. They can also attend classes to improve their craftwork and learn what buyers are looking for. They also go into town to market their bead work and keep improving. We had about a half hour to look over the many necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for purchase. Many of us bought jewelry not only for ourselves, but for relatives back home in US as a way to support the cause. The money raised from the sales of the jewelry is applied toward purchase of groceries for the elderly women. At present time about 62 women come, ages 60's 70's, 80's and one gal in her 90's.
After feeding the women, we were served a meal of typical foods of Guatemala. all very delicious!
Cheryl Weller, Carol Brunn and Shelby Vaske
We were told through a translator about the 30 years of civil war form 1966 to1996 when the fathers and sons fought to keep their native land but were defeated by the large food growers corporations. Thus the people were forced to live up higher in the hillsides where the land is less desirable and many women and children were left widows and orphans.
The center prepares meals three times a week, M, W, & F. The women come early not only for the food, but for companionship. They are given vitamins and cup of coffee. Then in their containers they are given about 2 cups of homemade soup and 7 fresh corn tortillas. Back at their homes they may not have money to buy wood to prepare a meal or may not even have a stove.
In the upper level of the building is a bead shop. Young women are paid by the number of pieces of jewelry that they make, given fair trade wages. They can also attend classes to improve their craftwork and learn what buyers are looking for. They also go into town to market their bead work and keep improving. We had about a half hour to look over the many necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for purchase. Many of us bought jewelry not only for ourselves, but for relatives back home in US as a way to support the cause. The money raised from the sales of the jewelry is applied toward purchase of groceries for the elderly women. At present time about 62 women come, ages 60's 70's, 80's and one gal in her 90's.
After feeding the women, we were served a meal of typical foods of Guatemala. all very delicious!
Cheryl Weller, Carol Brunn and Shelby Vaske
