It’s really hard to explain what third world poverty looks like to someone who hasn’t been there. Back in 2005, I had the opportunity to fund raise for a group called Stephen’s Children that provides education, moral guidance, spiritual development and medical care to the poorest of the poor in Cairo. These families live in devastating circumstances in the garbage dumps. I also had the opportunity to visit and interact with the families which changed my life forever. I wished that my husband and kids had been with me so they could understand the change that happened deep within me.
This is why it was so important for me to take our entire family to Guatemala, to not only witness the change you can bring to someone’s life, but to experience that change within their hearts. The experience of the trip far exceeded my expectations. Given what I felt in Cairo, a part of me it couldn’t be beat. But I guess it’s just like parenting, there’s always more love for one more person.
What hit me on the head over and over again during the trip is just how abundant our lives are. The people of Guatemala that we built the home for lead simple lives. They lived in a corn cane hut, with a tin roof, dirt floor and no windows. Their running water came from a hose. To get hot water, they boiled it. Their kitchen consisted of an open fire. They had no refrigeration. Any furniture was hand-made with scraps and burlap sacks. They had minimal clothing, no dressers or walk-in closets. They grew or raised a lot of their food. And the bathroom? Let’s just say it makes the port-a-potty at my son’s baseball games look promising.
The families were extremely poor, yet something about them made me see how rich they were. They were always smiling. They understood the value of family. They lived within their means. They weren’t afraid of hard work. They appreciated everything. Their children were with them during the day. They were kind to each other. An education was something to be treasured. They were generous and courteous neighbors.
Witnessing widespread poverty like this can sometimes be overwhelming. You think to yourself, with so much need, how will it ever be met? It is comforting for me to know that while they might need everything, but they wanted for nothing. They had something that eludes so many Americans, happiness. And I also know that God changes lives, one person at a time.
It’s this belief that now has me collecting donations for some proud parents in Guatemala. These parents have children in the Morning Glory school marching band. We had the pleasure of watching this band perform and man OH man, they were rock stars. They played their hearts out all while having HUGE smiles on their faces. And they have such a gift. They not only won National’s in Guatemala, but they are now going to Central American finals. These children are in need of band uniforms, without them, they might have points deducted from their performance. The school needs 118 uniforms at $60 US dollars each. ONE band uniform costs TWO month’s salary for these hard working families.
Over the next week, I will be taking donations for the band uniforms. If you’d like to give any amount big or small, please mail a check made payable to NIMA to: Tara Watson- 2021 Sandstone Terrace-Phoenixville, PA 19460.
Remember to count your blessings today, they are abundant!
Hugs and friendship,
Tara
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