Antigua

Nestled between 3 massive volcanoes lies an idyllic Guatemalan city called Antigua. Amidst ruins from ancient earthquakes have sprouted beautiful colored buildings. Connected, as if forming a tapestry of finely woven fabric. Michael and I have settled into this town for the next week to work with camino seguro, or safe passage in English (safepassage.org). This organization was founded to provide dignity and opportunities through education for the children living and working in the Guatemala City Garbage Dump. This organization has been in operation for about 15 years. It is amazing to see what they have accomplished. Today was orientation. We visited the educational reinforcement centers that they have set up around the dump. Beautiful beacons of light amidst some of the most impoverished areas I have ever seen. 60% of Guatemalans live on less than $.50 US a day. The 3000 plus people who recycle the trash that comes off the dump trucks are the poorest of them all. I was speechless as we watched these workers sift through the trash from a safe peak above this crater of desolation and hopelessness. Michael and I left in silence. Committed to whatever project Camino Seguro requires from us. Committed to working so that no child will ever have to stand in that pit, closer to hell than any other human, as carrion birds swarm overhead, trying to distinguish between human flesh and the stench of trash. Check our updated flickr page. You will know what I am talking about.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26885096@N07/

gregorio