It may seem strange that I have waited so long to write about the kid's dining room; to all intents and purposes the reason why we came. Vanessa volunteered four years ago with the Fundación Quetzal that founded this project. She felt realised and ever since wanted to come back, so here we are, this is what we do ...
The project feeds about 100 local children between two and twelve years old a day. The kids get their main lunchtime meal from Monday to Friday. As 60% of Guatemalans live below the poverty line there is a need; most of the kids come from families who live hand to mouth and have little choice to rise above this. Although more about this in later posts…
Most of the meals are served with rice, a staple part of the diet (sick of it!), and frijoles (black pinto beans) are often on the menu. I have had to cut back on these as we have had some severe gale warnings at home. Not good for gastritis. There is also meat and eggs in the diet at least twice a week and veg almost every day. 'Atol', a warm drink made from wheat germ is also on the daily menu. It's a horrid thick gloopy mess but the kids love it. Most importantly every meal comes with maize tortillas but alas, these are not the crispy tasty Western version, oh no, these are the humid dank tasteless type, mmm! Believe me almost everything is insipid (and I am not a fussy eater); our taste buds are going to explode when we get home. Could murder a juicy steak, oh my God … just mopping up my saliva!
Everyone must bring a clean plate, spoon and cup and show up with clean hands. Vanessa signs them in on the register and foods up! Apart from the usual suspects almost all of the kids are cool, polite and gracious. I wonder if you can spot the cheeky chaps?
Both Vanessa and I have fallen in love with Rene, perhaps the cutest faced kid in the world, his comedy value is priceless (First photo on the page & below). You can see him here in a few poses. He lives in our little street and always has a huge grin on his chops.
The smallest toddlers are accompanied by Mum, who also has to help out once every two weeks. The Mums are on a rota to come at 8am to help prepare the food. In theory there are five women a day but organising the locals is proving hard work. On average three actually come and we are working hard to get them to do their share but apathy prevails. The parents also pay a symbolic amount per month of 4Q, (40cents, that's less than buying one cheap snack in the street), which goes into a kitty for the kids on special days. We don't receive that very often either but less importance is attached to that than the help asked of the Mums. Some Mothers do work and send Granny or an elder sister instead which is no problem. All we try to do is provide a sustainable project as normally the Spanish presence is only felt in the months of July and August.
There is help from the local Nun but she has her misgivings about things. We have created a new visual calendar which places the mothers into twelve groups and clearly shows when they have to come ahead of time. This has been created entirely on card so that the simple system can be used when we are not here. Mothers still fail to turn up. We have had meetings and asked Mums to let us know if there are any days when they can't come and done everything to facilitate them.
Perhaps I could just show the cute photos and be less realistic but I'm trying to be objective. As lovely as they are the locals are taking advantage! When Paquita the founder of the project from BCN left last year there were as many as 200 hundred children eating daily – she has saintly status in the town! When we arrived there were only about 65 - reason being that there are projects in the area where the families receive more freebies (things like soap and shampoo). When Paquita comes, (which she has now done 10 years running), she brings clothes and toys from Spain. We have learnt that the numbers double just before she arrives and during her stay, and mysteriously drop as soon as she leaves. She is coming next week; we are starting to get new members … miraculous!
Kids are less tactful than adults. On my way back from work this evening one little chap who doesn't come to the project said, 'When is Paquita coming?'
'She should be here on Friday or Saturday' I replied.
'What's she bringing with her?' he grinned.
Bet ya fifty quid his Mum will sign him up this week.
I must add that there is a core element of Mothers and children who have a real need, come all year round and for the most part do their bit. Four local women also make up the directive who keep things ticking over when we are not here. They do get paid a small amount but face difficulties getting the mothers to do their share as the organisation requires. Obviously, our only intent is to make the project sustainable with local management (all funding comes from Sabadell, Barcelona) but I don't think that everyone sees it that way. All this being said, the project has outlived many others in San Juan and has filled many tummies.
Be interesting to see what happens when Paquita arrives … watch this space!
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