The month of August was a busy month of growth at the children's Home in Guatemala.
Again we see how God is the perfect master of time and the people who work at the home. One of our greatest blessings is the leadership of Oralia and Sebastian - two people that God has been preparing for many years for the great mission they undertake every day. God gives them wisdom to face the difficulties that arise every day in the community. When I say difficulties, I am referring to real life situations that the young people face while being trained by the leaders to be spiritual, moral and loving people.
The leadership is learning a new way to see things where, little by little, they learn that it's not enough to only provide material goods but that the kids need more - to be loved and understood which requires a sensitivity towards their life history. The analysis of all these elements can achieve the integral formation of each kid that lives in the home.
It is thanks to this openness of thought that we have accomplished a measure of valuable equipping for the workers in the areas of Early Childhood Stimulation, Applying Limits and Rules, Assertive Communication, Child Safety and the Implementation of a Life plan.
Embracing these new ideas has changed our workers viewpoints that they not only take care of children but must also train them. Thus we developed a working plan for groups divided by age to implement the proposed early childhood stimulation program with specific objectives.
It's important to continue working with these young people to develop their Plan for Life, and help them not only just survive each day, but to plot their future. In their daily lives they must begin to learn specific skills so that when it's time to leave they will be better equipped to face life.
The workers were like "sponges" as they received the information. It was amazing to see them begin right away to put into practice what they had learned. This new challenge gave the workers a different perspective on how to care for and train the children and young people. They themselves began to see the vital role they play in the lives of those in the home.
I consider that teaching the workers first to have a new vision will help them later so that their time at the Home won't be so tiring and their view of the kids not so despairing. This passion has to be seeded in every worker and when fully embraced these workers will become the role models.
It is important to remember that God himself has trained Oralia and Sebastian for the work they are doing. This includes being the doctor, father, mother, friend, psychologist, social worker and a lot more. This they have done with excellence. The truth is, because of what the children have suffered, Sebastian and Oralia need help from professionals in the field of Social Work and Psychology for greater success in the formation of each young person and child. We ask for prayer that God will prepare and send the professionals necessary to join the team in Guatemala.
---Lic. Karla Elizondo G, Psychologist
---Helen C. Smith, Translator
A children's home is a like an organism that is ever growing and changing. There are changes internally and as well as external. The Guatemalan government is placing more and more requirements on children's homes with the vision of excellence and quality in care and training. Those requirements raise the bar in many ways and also require more hands on, accountability, teachable hearts and finances. We have been able to loan our psychologist from Costa Rica, but the permanent solution needs to come from inside Guatemala. It is such a joy to see the staff embrace and have positive heart attitudes to embrace these changes even when it stretches them and pushes them into unknown areas. In the feature article below, Karla (psychologist from Costa Rica) shares her thoughts after her August visit to Guatemala.
