April 26, 2010
Buenos tardes, Google Groupies!
Just back from a fun and eventful day with some very nice Cartagena kids. Mauricio, my translator, and Johnny, my
driver, were with me during my first visit way back in September 2008. It was great to see the van pull up at my
hotel and see that they were back for another round.
After 15-20 minutes of dodging stray dogs, enormous pot holes, trusting pedestrians and your basic Monday
morning commuter madness, we pulled up in front of the community center. It was only then that I remembered
what happens with this kind of climate: you pull your camera or camcorder out of its case and expose it to the
extreme humidity and the lenses are guaranteed to steam up. Wiping them off does little, as the condensation
reappears immediately. A word to the wise: expose them to the conditions a few minutes before so that they
clear up for when you´re ready.
Before seeing the kids, they had me read and sign a form describing a set of guidelines visitors should abide by -
something they had shown me last week. I knew what to expect, but it may come as a surprise to first-timers. Most
of it is common sense, such as don´t show up completely intoxicated (okay, partially sloshed isn´t such a hot idea
either) or curse in front of the kids.
The more subtle stuff deals with displaying affection. While hugging and kissing are rarely an issue in much of Latin
America, it is more of a cultural no-no in places like India, Zambia, and the Philippines. My guess is that you´ll get
this as part of your package of information prior to your visit, should you take the plunge. The basic message: allow
the child to initiate what he or she is comfortable with, and only then reciprocate. On to more interesting fare....
As expected, we were greeted by Karelys and her mother, as well as Sonia and her aunt, and Diego and Isaura and
their mothers. They seemed comfortable enough...until I pulled out the video gear and informed them that I´d be
recording the festivities. A few oddball comments and funny faces later, I was able to coax some smiles and laughter
out of the group. Sonia and Diego are pretty reserved, at least in front of me, though it is clear that they are
well-adjusted children that have loving families. You should see evidence of that when I post videos upon my
return. They appreciated their gifts and had some nice things to say to their sponsors, Sharon and Heather.
Stay tuned to a YouTube channel near you.
Isaura stole the show. An older child, (a young lady actually), she is composed and confident. When she told me
she wanted to be a model, I half-jokingly asked her if she´d do her best catwalk strut for the camcorder, so she
stood up and did it! Not only did she do it, she carries herself like a model. Isaura has the walk down and I have
the proof capture for posterity. Mauricio and I were blown away. Chenelle, you have yourself a budding model. I
think she´d like a visit from a sponsor that can dance, unlike yours truly! Time to book your tickets.
Next up was my child, Karelys. She has definitely grown in the last 1-1/2 years, and not just in size. Despite being
9-years-old, she´s got a sassy streak to her and she knows what she wants. Chicken and ice cream, for instance.
Chicken and ice cream coming up! Karelys also wanted to go to the same arcade we went to last time. Unlike the
previous outing, we were able to get her on the bumper cars and a ride whose goal appears to be making people
sick from the mall food located right next door. When you watch the video, you may get sick yourself watching the
endless up-down motion. I also got some great video of her racing a NASCAR arcade game. The ear-to-ear smiles
made the trip all by themselves.
As suggested in yesterday´s mail, the family has indeed moved. They share a place with extended family members,
which is a relief, since the other home was in an area subject to landslides with another house perched precariously
above them.
I also learned that her father has been working in Caracas, Venezuela for the past five years without visiting once -
more than half of Karelys´s young life. While he is not there physically, he does send home money regularly.
Combined with Mom´s income from selling lottery numbers, their life, while not free of worry, leaves them with
enough money to provide the basics. The girl´s improved mood suggests that her life is on a sounder footing. It´s
gratifying to see.
An added bonus was being able to visit her school and meet her teacher. The kids were relatively well-behaved
-that is until I pulled out my camera to take some shots. Near pandemonium ensued, a kids rushed headlong to get
themselves in every shot. Lo siento, teacher!
Of the 25 or so kids in class, probably 8 of them raised their hands when asked if they were sponsored. Great news.
So far, none of them has yet to meet their sponsor, and Karelys has now seen me twice. I think she is going to have
bragging rights for the foreseeable future. She told me she feels special as a result, and she is.
The rest of the visit was rather boilerplate. A trip to Carrefour for shoes, clothes, and groceries, and a short side trip
to a small game store for a handheld video game. That was $5 well spent, and it means she won´t be begging her
cousin to borrow his game. Anything to keep peace in the household.
Hugs and kisses were followed by the much dreaded final goodbyes. The good news is that I have another ten
years worth of time to see her before she graduates from the program. Unlike some of the kids in desperate
conditions, it looks like Karelys will have an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. That´s what CI is all about,
and I´m glad to be part of it.
I´ve overstayed my welcome, so I´m signing off for now. Tomorrow´s agenda includes Yiseth (Sharon´s), Henry
(Heather´s), and my tyke, Evelyn.
More manana!
Buenos tardes, Google Groupies!
Just back from a fun and eventful day with some very nice Cartagena kids. Mauricio, my translator, and Johnny, my
driver, were with me during my first visit way back in September 2008. It was great to see the van pull up at my
hotel and see that they were back for another round.
After 15-20 minutes of dodging stray dogs, enormous pot holes, trusting pedestrians and your basic Monday
morning commuter madness, we pulled up in front of the community center. It was only then that I remembered
what happens with this kind of climate: you pull your camera or camcorder out of its case and expose it to the
extreme humidity and the lenses are guaranteed to steam up. Wiping them off does little, as the condensation
reappears immediately. A word to the wise: expose them to the conditions a few minutes before so that they
clear up for when you´re ready.
Before seeing the kids, they had me read and sign a form describing a set of guidelines visitors should abide by -
something they had shown me last week. I knew what to expect, but it may come as a surprise to first-timers. Most
of it is common sense, such as don´t show up completely intoxicated (okay, partially sloshed isn´t such a hot idea
either) or curse in front of the kids.
The more subtle stuff deals with displaying affection. While hugging and kissing are rarely an issue in much of Latin
America, it is more of a cultural no-no in places like India, Zambia, and the Philippines. My guess is that you´ll get
this as part of your package of information prior to your visit, should you take the plunge. The basic message: allow
the child to initiate what he or she is comfortable with, and only then reciprocate. On to more interesting fare....
As expected, we were greeted by Karelys and her mother, as well as Sonia and her aunt, and Diego and Isaura and
their mothers. They seemed comfortable enough...until I pulled out the video gear and informed them that I´d be
recording the festivities. A few oddball comments and funny faces later, I was able to coax some smiles and laughter
out of the group. Sonia and Diego are pretty reserved, at least in front of me, though it is clear that they are
well-adjusted children that have loving families. You should see evidence of that when I post videos upon my
return. They appreciated their gifts and had some nice things to say to their sponsors, Sharon and Heather.
Stay tuned to a YouTube channel near you.
Isaura stole the show. An older child, (a young lady actually), she is composed and confident. When she told me
she wanted to be a model, I half-jokingly asked her if she´d do her best catwalk strut for the camcorder, so she
stood up and did it! Not only did she do it, she carries herself like a model. Isaura has the walk down and I have
the proof capture for posterity. Mauricio and I were blown away. Chenelle, you have yourself a budding model. I
think she´d like a visit from a sponsor that can dance, unlike yours truly! Time to book your tickets.
Next up was my child, Karelys. She has definitely grown in the last 1-1/2 years, and not just in size. Despite being
9-years-old, she´s got a sassy streak to her and she knows what she wants. Chicken and ice cream, for instance.
Chicken and ice cream coming up! Karelys also wanted to go to the same arcade we went to last time. Unlike the
previous outing, we were able to get her on the bumper cars and a ride whose goal appears to be making people
sick from the mall food located right next door. When you watch the video, you may get sick yourself watching the
endless up-down motion. I also got some great video of her racing a NASCAR arcade game. The ear-to-ear smiles
made the trip all by themselves.
As suggested in yesterday´s mail, the family has indeed moved. They share a place with extended family members,
which is a relief, since the other home was in an area subject to landslides with another house perched precariously
above them.
I also learned that her father has been working in Caracas, Venezuela for the past five years without visiting once -
more than half of Karelys´s young life. While he is not there physically, he does send home money regularly.
Combined with Mom´s income from selling lottery numbers, their life, while not free of worry, leaves them with
enough money to provide the basics. The girl´s improved mood suggests that her life is on a sounder footing. It´s
gratifying to see.
An added bonus was being able to visit her school and meet her teacher. The kids were relatively well-behaved
-that is until I pulled out my camera to take some shots. Near pandemonium ensued, a kids rushed headlong to get
themselves in every shot. Lo siento, teacher!
Of the 25 or so kids in class, probably 8 of them raised their hands when asked if they were sponsored. Great news.
So far, none of them has yet to meet their sponsor, and Karelys has now seen me twice. I think she is going to have
bragging rights for the foreseeable future. She told me she feels special as a result, and she is.
The rest of the visit was rather boilerplate. A trip to Carrefour for shoes, clothes, and groceries, and a short side trip
to a small game store for a handheld video game. That was $5 well spent, and it means she won´t be begging her
cousin to borrow his game. Anything to keep peace in the household.
Hugs and kisses were followed by the much dreaded final goodbyes. The good news is that I have another ten
years worth of time to see her before she graduates from the program. Unlike some of the kids in desperate
conditions, it looks like Karelys will have an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. That´s what CI is all about,
and I´m glad to be part of it.
I´ve overstayed my welcome, so I´m signing off for now. Tomorrow´s agenda includes Yiseth (Sharon´s), Henry
(Heather´s), and my tyke, Evelyn.
More manana!
