Origami, making slime, and tie-dye tees – volunteering at the children’s center this summer!
Follow the brand new Project Ix-canaan volunteers’ Instagram here (@projectixcanaan)
“Adios, adios”, the eager voices of several children follow us as we amble down the hill. It is my second last day here in El Remate and, looking back, I can hardly believe it has already been two weeks. But at the same time, it feels like I have been here much longer.
When I arrived in mid-June, I was nervous, to say the least. Despite taking Spanish for several years in school, I felt in no way prepared for the eager and friendly chatter of the locals. That I knew only the bare minimum about Guatemalan culture, and that from a random assortment of travel guides and blogs, did nothing ease my anxiety.
Yet the friendly welcome I received from Anne and the team quelled all my fears. By the time I had completed the introductory tour of the medical center and dental clinic, during which I had the opportunity to meet Marvin and Alex, two truly amazing individuals who tend to the villagers’ medical needs, and arrived at the child development center, I already felt like part of the community.
This feeling was only to intensify in the days to come. Together with a fellow volunteer and friend, I was fortunate enough to organize a range of activities for the children of El Remate, who form the heart and soul of Ix-canaan. (Ix-canaan means “Guardians of the Rainforest”.)
In the mornings, we would do some one-on-one tutoring with several children, teaching them English and reading Spanish and English books from the center’s quaint library. After lunch, which took place in one of the village’s many delicious restaurants, we would always prepare some fun activities, such as origami, making slime, musical chairs, or treasure hunts. By day two, the children already recognized our faces and greeted us with hugs and kisses on both cheeks when we arrived and a wave of goodbyes and more hugs when we left. By day three, several always walked with us to and from the project, asking about our day and preferences in lilting Spanish. Throughout the following days, as we grew even closer, we were able to take pairs of children on excursions to the lake or to eat dessert together. Their kindness and sincerity were truly gratifying – a warmth that comes to the heart rather than from the mind.
With the support of Deysi and Claudia, two wonderful women who form the foundation of the library, we also arranged other activities, such as a water fight and parkour, which were so much fun and wonderfully refreshing in the mid-day heat. During the last week, we also tie-dyed t-shirts with the children – something they had never done before and therefore enjoyed all the more. We also learned how to make tamales in the women’s center, a local specialty sold by smiling faces throughout the close-knit community.
The thought draws me back to the present. We have now reached the cusp of the hill, and from here we have a spectacular view of the lake. But what warms my heart is not the beauty of its soft blue hue against the verdant nuances of the surrounding rain forest, but rather the memory of swimming and playing with the children in its waters.
This volunteer opportunity has been a privilege and a gift, and already my heart hurts to part with the children, who I have grown so close to over the last weeks. I can only hope to return as soon as possible.
Will you join me next time? So we can be Ix-Canaan together?
Find out more about volunteering with Project Ix-canaan
Follow Thami on Instagram @thaminoo and Toni @toni.smwr
