My Guardian Angel

Well today after school, at 2pm, a group of us went to My Guardian Angel, which is in a really poor neighborhood of Antigua.  It is an after school project for low income families so that their children have a safe place to go, and they can work.  It was such a loving great place!  The leader lady, Marta, was so kind!  Everyone was.  The kids were so adorable, and so happy to have the attention!  They range in age there from 4-14.  We took them out in the neighborhood today, and went to the local public pool.   They don’t get to go there much, one little girl told me.  They had a fabulous time!   It was so different then our public pools back home.  There was no adults around.  Just us, that came with them.  There wasn’t any “No Diving” signs,  or any rules listed of any kind, actually.  Some kids wore swim suits, some stripped to their underwear, others went in fully dressed.  I know at home, you MUST have swim wear on or they don’t let you in.  I love how it’s so laid back here.  People just live.  And have fun.  And walk…ALOT!   I’ve never walked so much in my entire life as I’ve walked since I’ve been here! 

There was a local lot, where some kids played basketball / soccar?  It was interesting to be in their space, on their level.  The children were beautiful, fun, sweet and happy.  Once little girl who walked with me, told me her name was Atril, and she was 10.  She spoke no english at all, but thought it was really cool that I did!   I taught her a few words

We were able to spend almost 3 hours with them, total.  It was really great.  The painting on the wall of the place, is a painting that was very familiar to me.  My sister had that painting above her bed, for as far back as I can remember.  It’s beautiful, and it made me smile to see it.  The children were so great when we 1st got there.  It was my 1st time, so they came over, introduced themselves to me.  Then they took turns jumping rope, and we counted, to see who did the most jumps without stopping.  They were loving the attention so much, and the friendly challenge between them.   There was this one little boy, he was so cute!  I didn’t get his name, but he had the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.  He was quiet, and smiled, ALOT! 

I really enjoyed participating in this, and look forward to it again next Friday!  The kids were waiting for us, all excited, because they too, know we come on Friday.  They were sure a welcoming bunch!  The place was pretty large inside, the floors were dirt.  It was comfortable, and clean, and safe. 

Tomorrow?  Off at 5am for a day at Lago de Atitlan!  Until then xoxo