More Improvements

For the Child Development Centre

Thanks go to Gonzalo Galindo for his hours of work to design, clean, plant and build meandering paths, thus creating a beautiful front garden with areas to relax, read, study or conduct a small class.

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The jungle mural by local artist, Aby has been finished, as has the painting of the whimsical playhouse by Belgian volunteer, Layla.  We have also received donations of several more computers for our computer centre.

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New in our library is the Mayan glyph mural called “The Scribe”, painted by local artist Gonzalo Galindo.

“Reading” is a big part of our program at the Child Development Centre. Every afternoon we have story time, when a staff member or volunteer reads a story or a chapter of a book to the children.  Children are also encouraged to continue reading at home and can use their library card to borrow books.  Thanks to volunteers Margo Van der Sluys and Jennifer Monihan, working with our new staff member, Deysi Coronado, our books have now been repaired and re catalogued and many children are borrowing them.

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The English classroom doubles as our Friday afternoon movie theatre … drapes were also painted by Layla.

Below, the children are thrilled with the new Projector, donated by Christian Close & family of Guatemala City.

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We have an office specifically for professionals,  who work with the children and need a more private space, like volunteer Ana Jurado, the child psychologist from Guatemala City who worked with us for several months.   This office is also used for teaching English when we have several classes going on at the same time.

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The outdoor corridor area provides a perfect space for our arts and crafts activities.  This is also the area where snacks or meals are served when we hold birthday parties for local children … an activity that will help to defray some of the costs of the Centre.

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Playground equipment fits perfectly under the roof of the back corridor of the building,  and the back yard already has a small sports field, and a tetherball court (raised platform behind the sports field).  And the other side of the yard is being cleared and prepared to build an obstacle course from used tires and ropes.  

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Lots more improvements and changes are in process for the Child Development Centre.  We are always looking for volunteers who would like to work with the kids or help with the building, painting, or gardening.  Very low-cost housing can be arranged for long term volunteers.  Please let us know if you are interested in a Volunteer Vacation in our beautiful and friendly village!!