Carnaval 2016

  Not sure what we are really celebrating during Carnaval. The syncretism  is confusing. But  the  kids and staff  sure have some fun.

Cumple de Jaimito

  Feliz dia a nuestro Amigito Jaime-

Nice mention in Christ Church Newsletter

2016 Starts Strong

                      Cadaniño Classes and School 2016  



We have been blessed with an extraordinary expanse of our educational and therpeutic programs at the start of this year.  For months we have been trying to find a new setting to love, teach and encourage our children and God has opened doors in ways that we can hardly believe. Not only do we have the new five classroom facility, but the government has decided to send the hot lunch everyday as well as  the teachers and occupational therapists to work all day with the kids.   This is so far ahead of schedule that we are thrilled  and feeling blessed.

  For the past few years we have wanted to help the orphanage home ABI in two major ways: The first is to divide the population of children from the young adults and the second is to split the days between residencial and academic. There are currently 62 residents at ABI, but only 28 are actually children. Almost all residents are at the lowest level of intellectual cognition. The true  children need to be segregated from the adults for obvious safety reasons and also for quality of life issues. We identified the need for residence and and academic division a few years ago also. We originally thought that we would create some satellite residences for some of the most independent residents. We found a series of logistical, legal and importantly medical impediments to securing nearby hosing.  The transition to school based daycare became the obvious choice.

   Starting in March of 2015 we started looking for nearby buildings to rent for the children.  It turned out to be more complicated than anticipated.  One of the most important criteria was to locate a facility within walking distance.  Driving in Guatemala City is a time consuming and very expensive proposition. Additionally, the idea of developing a community outreach where we work and play is of paramount importance.  Finally, in mid December we took possession of the new space. It was a mess and it needed a lot of work. Tim Martiny and some other friends helped us get it functional and attractive in record time. On Monday January 4th we started classes and play therapy in the new space. On Monday, January 11th, we were joined by the teachers and occupational therapists from ABI started in the new space. The administration at the center recognized that the children at Anexo Cadanino represents half of their residential population. As mentioned before, ABI is also providing the same daily lunch that they offer the kids in the center. The thinking was that it is better for the kids to not walk back to the center twice daily and they can assure the nutritional regimens are adhered to. Several of the children have difficult and complicated eating issues.

  Our first activity where it was easy to take happy photos was today: January 15, 2016.  We were celebrating Francisco T's birthday.  We have posted information about him in the past. Quite a story of triumph emerging from man's broken wickedness.

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Second Group of students start attending Clases Cadanino

   We have started classes with five more students in the educational center (my house).  This second group of students are the youngest and calmest group in the center.  They are not the wheelchair kids, but they are the next most fragile and vulnerable group of kids.  I can hardly contain my joy when I see them in a relaxed home like setting. They can relax and their anxiety levels come back to earth. We have an excellent teacher in Magaly Perez. She is enthusiastic and compassionate.

  Our big news is that we plan to take possession of the building next door on the 15th of this month. This will facilitate  hosting of  five groups of classes each day.  It will create a learning environment where they can feel God's love and presence. There are many difficulties in the ABI center where they have been attending classes. The biggest challenges with the current environment are two fold: First, they also live at the center; so their classes and living activities overlap,   Secondly, they are mixed in with over 40 adults with very different needs and skillsets.


                                                       _________________________

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   This is Manny (Manuel de Jesus).  He is a very sweet young man with a smile that lights the room.
He was terribly abused and neglected prior to coming to the center about 5 years ago. He has had some plastic surgery to repair the burns on on his torso, neck and chin. He is calm and happy most of the time.

  This is Marie Isabella. She came to live at the center about 4 years ago. Her Mother had died and her poor illiterate farming father was unable to attend to her needs. As she had grown, she had a tendency to wander the village when he was not home and it created significant risk for her.

This is Marie Inez. She also suffers from scarring from severe burns on her side and neck. She was abandoned in a city park at about age 8. Because she was purposefully abandoned we have no records of her birth name or dates. She is pre-verbal, but can be quite animated and happy with music, attention or sweets. 

  This is Gloria. She is the oldest member of the class. She is almost 30 years old and is the quietest and shyest human I have ever met. She is particularly nervous and avoids men.

This is Manny's hand on mine. I liked this photo for the contrast and friendship. As you might note, his other hand is disabled and twisted from his early  childhood burns. 

This is the teacher Magaly Perez with Sandra and Marie Inez.  Sandra is a sweet child whose Mother gave her up because she interfered with her work (the oldest profession).    In her first days in the classroom she appears much calmer and more relaxed. 

Miscellaneous Photos

Griselda and Sheny preparing the
snack












 
   The Cadanino Team at a planning session/working lunch.
   

The Explorers Club or Los Tigres

  Clases Cadanino-  This is the group of five young adults that are currently receiving classes outside the center ABI. The classes are held  five and half days a week in the Cadanino rented house. Their primary classroom is a converted garage, but they also have a dining room, kitchen and bathroom.
Most days they arrive around 8:30 am and stay until 4:00 pm.   Their teacher is Jorge Maldonado. He is a dedicated and gifted instructor.    In a few short weeks Jorge has made enormous progress with the kids.


            The Kids (Los Patojos) 
     

   This sweet young lady is named Carmalina.  She is in her twenties and loves helping out. She enjoys helping with the dishes in the kitchen or folding laundry in the laundry room. She also loves hair clips, purses and costume jewelry. She is very quiet but can speak.

  This is Ernesto who has the nickname Canche (pale face because of pale complexion and bright blue eyes).  He loves to help out and has been fascinated by planes for years.  His dream of flying was recently fulfilled as he had the chance to fly with the military to the ocean. They gave him the royal treatment and he made celebrity status for his 15 minutes of fame. Several newspapers and television station covered the event.   He knows his numbers to 10 and most of the letters. He has strong fine motor skills and can copy letters on paper.

  Jose Luis  (nickname Pajaro (parakeet) for his high pitched chirpy voice). He is a bright and capable young man. Though he has a very short attention span he sees and takes note of everything around him.  He loves reporting on the activities of others (snitching) and has a broad understanding of human nature and actions.  He loves to wash our car and can be quite helpful.

  This is Sonia (nickname Chonita).   She is similar to Caralina in that she loves to help with washing dishes and folding laundry.  She also has terrific fine motor skills and is good at making, "Wipes" from cloth. Waipes are sold to car washes as absorbent cloth to wash and dry cars.   She also loves holding onto all sorts of knick knacks.   Like many she loves her costume jewelry and takes great pride brushing her hair.  She has an infectious and loud laugh that is a joy to hear.

This young man is Angel. He is quite talented physically and capable of productive work, particularly in the laundry.  He has limited communications skill, but is something of a gentle giant.  He is probably our fastest runner and often does well in the Special Olympics competitions.  After knowing him for many years, I still find him enigmatic.