Gander and Guatemala

What follows is an article I wrote about a Support Team that I lead while with Safe Passage. For those of you that have asked, this is a great example of what life is like on a Support Team!

Leaving a comfort zone for any reason is oftentimes the single most difficult thing a person can do. Leaving that comfort zone for guaranteed uncertainty in a far away land amongst an unfamiliar people makes the task even harder. Yet, in late April, 5 women did just that.

They left the familiarity and convenience of their United Church of Canada behind and ventured into Zones 7 and 3 of Guatemala City, two of the poorest, most at risk, dangerous zones in an already uncertain city.

For two of the five, this was their second trip and for the Gander Group leader, Reverend Stephanie McClellan, of the Gander Pastoral Charge for the United Church of Canada, this was her third trip.

Most would wonder why Rev. Stephanie, along with Lorraine Elliott, Marilyn Boone, Juanita Andrews and Lynda Manuel, would make this trip once, let alone two and three times. One conversation with any of these women will convince anyone that their reason was more than sound.

"The Gander Group," as they were known, went to Guatemala to offer a week of support to an organization known as Safe Passage (safepassage.org). Safe Passage works to break the cycle of poverty that is present within the community of the Guatemala City Garbage dump. For decades families have scavenged a living from the trash piles of this unregulated dump. They sort through all manner of household, business, industrial, medical and other waste trying to find items to eat, wear, sell and build their homes with. Safe Passage works with the children of these families, paying for their education, offering free medical and social care for the entire family, obtaining scholarships for higher education, providing a balanced diet and hygiene education as well as a plethora of other services. Their ultimate goal is to free the child from the cycle of poverty that has ensnared the rest of their family and allow the child to play, be educated and be free. This, in turn, allows the family a chance to break free as well. The success of a child often means the betterment of the entire family in Guatemala, where family ties are so very close.
"Every visit I have made has been life changing. As team leader, I am eager to expose others to this experience of poverty and richness, bleakness and joy, despair and hope," Rev. McClellan said. "My church asked me to lead a mission trip. I forged connections with Safe Passage and continue to bring teams down for the exposure and continued learning, growth and readjustment of my own priorities."

Many of the Gander Group Team members were moved by the Academy Award nominated short documentary "Recycled Life" (recycledlifedoc.com). This documentary showcases what life is like for a "Guajero" or dump worker.

"For a few hours a day the children are removed from the poverty they know and are loved, clothed and fed," said Juanita Andrews, reflecting on her view of what many call "the oasis," Safe Passage’s Guarderia, or pre-school program. This building is well landscaped, open and completely child friendly even though it sits on land that is considered within the dump.
Safe Passage is staffed by teachers and counselors, but its backbone is its volunteers. Safe Passage is a non-profit NGO with its headquarters in Maine, USA. For anyone to give of their time, whether that be one day, one week, or a number of years, is an amazing sacrifice that Safe Passage survives on. These volunteers are a special breed of people, as any visitor to the project will see.

"How wonderful the volunteers are with the children! Their dedication and passion for the children was awesome!" Marilyn Boone said.

"You could just see their self esteem showing through as the staff and volunteers praised the children with kind words and reassuring smiles," said Lorraine Elliot, expanding on Marilyn’s thought.

All five team members stated that they would love to return to Safe Passage and would encourage all that they knew to do the same.

"I believe more people should experience what I have. There is so much to learn from it about life," Marilyn Boone said.

"This certainly helps people see how skewed our priorities can get in our affluent culture. It has been amazing making a difference with one kid one smile at a time," Rev. McClellan said.

The Gander Group continues to work on behalf of Safe Passage. They have each spoken at their different churches and at other various engagements. They are also actively screening "Recycled Life" for friends and those interested.

"This is a very emotional experience. Be prepared to shed tears, share laughter and smiles. This is an experience that will stay with you forever," said Lynda Manuel, when asked what advice she would offer a new team.

For more information on all things Safe Passage, including how to build your own story in Guatemala, visit their website safepassage.org.

Brooks Vanderbush can be reached at brooks_in_antigua@operamail.com.