A malnourished 2-year-old girl is fed by her mother on her hospital bed in Jalapa, Guatemala.
In response to the food crisis, Open Windows Foundation, in collaboration with the families of the children who attend the learning center, and the local Peace Corps, delivered bags of basic foods, including powdered milk, nutritious powdered drink, flour, beans, rice, and cornmeal to 100 families residing within the department of Jalapa. Each bag also contained a hand-made greeting card created by a child at Open Windows. This project would not have been possible without the donations of the generous families of the children who attend Open Windows Learning Center in San Miguel Dueñas. The families in Dueñas struggle to make ends meet yet they compassionately gave to others in need without hesitation.
Teresa, Director of Open Windows, distributes a bag of food donated by families of San Miguel Dueñas.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:00 a.m., the vehicles packed with Open Windows’ staff, students, and several volunteers departed on its mission to deliver food and toys to families in Jalapa. We traveled for approximately 3.5 hours to the center of Jalapa where the volunteers from the Peace Corps joined us and led the way to Campo Nuevo and Sacorrorro, remote mountains villages located within the department of Jalapa. The ride to our destination was somewhat of an unexpected off-roading adventure as the vehicles strained to make it up and down the windy, dirt roads of the mountainsides while thrusting its passengers side to side. As we traveled to our destination, we witnessed the devastating effects of the drought.
Corn fields affected by drought in Jalapa
As we approached Campo Nuevo, we were confronted with an extremely steep hill less than half a mile from the village. The rough terrain forced us to abandon our vehicles and hike up the hill to meet the townsfolk in an open corn field. I seized the occasion to take photographs and went ahead of the group to document our journey. While hiking, I met Marcos, a local farmer, carrying a heavy load of dried blue corn on his back and a rusty machete in his right hand. Marcos and I engaged in a brief conversation. He asked if we could spare a bag of food for a destitute farmer, as he described himself. I explained that the bags of food were predesignated for 50 families of each village and that unfortunately we could not afford to bring more. Dejected, he then asked if I could take a proper photograph of him without the load of corn on his back. I complied grateful for the opportunity and snapped one of many memorable photographs of the day.
Marcos, a farmer in Jalapa
Marcos and Elizabeth discussing drought epidemic
Families scurrying to meet with Open Windows crew
After the short introductions, The Peace Corps volunteers delivered a rather lengthy lecture concerning the importance of a healthy diet and clean water. Understandably, their agenda is to educate the locals on these subjects; however, in this situation a balanced diet is almost impossible to adhere to when families are starving, their main source of food and income have been destroyed as a result of the drought, and there are no markets nearby thereby eliminating any choices of eating a balanced meal. The locals, dependent on crops as the primary resource, are forced to feed their children whatever the dry land has to offer; here there are few choices, mostly to survive. Despite this, the locals did their best to remain attentive and participate in the presentation.
Families in Jalapa listen intently to a lecture given by the Peace Corps.
Children in Campo Nuevo, patiently waiting.
Dalia, a teacher at Open Windows, gave a short speech and informed the locals that the bags of food were donated with love by the generous families of San Miguel Dueñas and not by the local government, as implied by the representative for the municipality of Jalapa.
Dalia, a teacher at Open Windows, delivers a short speech in Campo Nuevo.
After the lecture, Teresa, the director of Open Windows, and the teachers distributed bags of food to approximately 50 families and each child was given a stuffed animal. The children cuddled with their new companions in amazement.
Child in Jalapa thrilled with his new companion.
Children waiting in line for toys
The families of Campo Nuevo expressed their gratitude with humble, affable smiles and walked down the hill with the small load of food balanced on their heads.
Families in Campo Nuevo returning home with bags of donated food.
We then traveled to the town of Sacorrorro where the townspeople awaited our arrival, albeit two hours late. Abbreviated versions of speeches were given while the anxious audience awaited the distribution of the food. Not surprisingly, chaos ensued as the food and toys were distributed. Fortunately, Teresa and her crew were well prepared and handled the matter efficiently allowing us to continue home at sundown.
Families in Sacorrorro receive food.
Children in Sacorrorro with new toys.
During our travels, we encountered several children unaccompanied by their parents to whom we dispensed of the remaining bags of food. This was my favorite part of the trip – witnessing the surprised looks on the children’s faces as strangers filled their hands with food and toys was immensely moving.
Quick stop to give food and toys to families in need.
On our last stop, we spotted three children walking on the side of the unlit road carrying heavy loads of crops. Teresa gave them the last bundle of provisions but by then we ran out of stuffed animals. I was glad that I packed a few items in my backpack for such an occasion. I handed each child a pack of peanut butter cookies, a puzzle, and a box of crayons. As we were leaving, Teresa glanced back at the children and asked the driver to stop the van, she took off her sweater, exited the vehicle and wrapped the young girl with her new oversized sweater. This selfless and thoughtful act was the perfect ending to a day consumed with emotion.
Teresa stops to give children food, toys, and sweater.
Thanks for your efforts. Our son in a peace corp volunteer near Japala
What a heart breaking story. I could hardly hold back the tears. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your efforts.