Para servir, aprender y vivir: A year with Common Hope in Guatemala: I know what I'm doing!!! ...sort of

This week I was fully in my orientation. I have had the pleasure of going through orientation with Paola, a woman who has started working in the Infant Center. We get along very well and have had many moments where we are laughing so hard tears are surfacing (usually because it’s the end of the day, we’re tired, and something just hits us in a funny way). It is amazing how many departments and people keep a foundation running: hospitality, reception, sponsorship, youth, cleaning, maintenance, construction, social work, psychology, kitchen, accounting, scholarships, school collaboration…it just keeps going! And within each of these are more specific areas and specialties. And I am a part of this!!!! I have had several moments this week when I realized that I am working for Common Hope; I am working for this organization; I have a position; I have responsibilities and many people have and are putting their trust in me. It’s so exciting!!!! I mean, nerves come with this too, but they are those invigorating nerves that push you and motivate you to get started.

One of the highlights of this week for me was when I had a meeting with my boss, Rigo, to talk about my position description – what am I actually going to do?! I have been wondering that ever since I got here and I was very ready to find out. This meeting helped. My position is in the department Apoyo a Jóvenes (Youth Support). In a nutshell, here is what I’ll be doing.

1. Evaluating all the current programs in Apoyo a Jóvenes to give a new/outside perspective on how they are doing; making any suggestions for change so that they can better serve the youth and be more productive

2. Assist with the facilitation of the Saturday programming that occurs for about 60+ youth

3. Create a new program for Apoyo a Jóvenes that I will be in charge of

4. Assist with the daily workings of Apoyo a Jóvenes and the other programs (e.g. help with tutoring, etc.)

Rigo was very great to talk to. He was very encouraging about my ability to succeed in this position and was very open to my opinions and ideas. This was one of those moments that it hit me that I am truly working within this organization. He told me he wants my opinions and critiques. He wants to make sure the programs are improving and helpful. He, a 50+ year old Guatemalan man who’s been working here for many many years, wants MY critiques - a 22 year old from the U.S. who just graduated and is still very much working on her Spanish communication skills. How cool!

I also am very excited about the idea of starting my own program here. The possibilities are wide open. I definitely have some research to do. I want to make sure whatever I choose to do applies to the youth – is needed – and will be successful and sustainable. Right now, my goal is to talk to and observe the youth. I want to get their ideas and see what I can form from there. Prayers for guidance, insight, and wisdom are welcomed.

As part of my orientation, I went with a social worker on some of her social work visits for a morning. I’ve done this before when I was here previously, but that still does not take away from the intensity of the experience. This time was a little different because my comprehension of Spanish is so much better that I could understand everything that was being said and going on. I’m not going to go into detail about all I saw and heard as there is no way to capture it in such a limited space and I’d rather tell you in person then plaster these people’s stories on the internet. What I will say is as is the same all over the world, there are many different types of families – many different situations – many different problems and successes. And yet, there is a thread that ties many of these families together, and that is poverty. With poverty, there are some common themes that are seen. We can read about them in the newspaper or textbooks, hear about them informational videos or from friends we know, but to walk in a house, sit a table that has a hole in it the size of ¼ of the table and talk about these very personal struggles and successes has an impact that cannot be matched. You see their faces, you hear their words, look into their eyes - your human spirits connect. This was another moment when I realized I am working for Common Hope – they see me as part of this organization and therefore I am privy to these conversations. Now, if you volunteer in any way with Common Hope, you can attend a social work visit, but this one seemed different to me because now I could understand (with my Spanish fluency) and had a desire to understand in a new way. I wanted to know how I could assist these families through my position. I was learning names and faces of the children so I can greet them at the foundation. It all connects.

Yesterday, I worked with the youth all day in their Saturday programming. In the morning, youth from the leadership group lead small group discussions on a specific topic (yesterday’s topic was poverty) for about an hour. Then, there is free time for several hours where everyone hangs out at the foundation and plays soccer, listens to music, talks, walks, or whatever else they find to do. There is a snack prepared by some of the leadership group that everyone gets to have. Around 2:30, everyone leaves except that leadership group who meet to plan the next week. They discuss the topic, assign tasks (group leaders, snack preparers, lunch preparers), make plans and then eat lunch together that has been prepared by members of their group. This week was special because they had planned a surprise quinceanera (15^th birthday party) for one of the girls in their group because she doesn’t have a mom to plan this party for her. It was so special.

A challenge that I will be facing in my position is communication between the youth and me. First of all, they talk faster and not as clear as adults. They use slang and do not annunciate. Secondly, they seem to have a harder time understanding me. I don’t know if I have a thick accent or if they aren’t use to hearing a non-native talk – but oh man, there have been some moments where I wonder if I’ve started speaking another language besides Spanish when they give me the “blank stare of incomprehension”. Haha! Thankfully, they still seem to like me. I’ve started to make some connections with some of the youth, specifically those in the leadership group. It’s so funny to hang out with teenagers – I haven’t done that for awhile in this capacity. Oh, the questions they ask and what they think is funny and entertaining. I’m having a fun time! I’m excited to get to know them more and really establish some solid relationships. I can’t wait to have them stopping by my desk the way they do to the others in my office. There is such a welcoming and fun atmosphere in our office – I’m really excited to be a part of it.

Outside of work there have been a few things going on. I am STILL house searching (I was really wishing I would have a different message for this post), but I do think I’m getting closer. I have a tentative roommate, we just need to check out the house I found in Santa Ana. I also have emails out to the other organizations in the area that have volunteers to ask if anyone needs a roommate. It will happen. I really hope by the end of this week, but we will see. :) Also, I had the pleasure of attending a Bible study at the house of my “new Guatemalan family” last night and went to church with them this morning. I’m not exactly sure what denomination they are, I think they are non-denominational, therefore the service was different then what I’m use to, but it was still nice to sing some praises and worship.

I’m excited to start this next week as I only have orientation for 2.5 more days. Wednesday afternoon I officially begin my work in Apoyo a Jóvenes. Whoot!! Here we go!!