DandY South: Casa Guatemala - The Arrival Days

With much anticipation, we arrived to Casa Guatemala (CG), a "self sustaining" (I'll explain the quotes shortly) orphanage in the middle of the jungle. Located 30 minute only accessible by boat from Rio Dulce in the provence on Izabal.

Well, according to the website (case-guatemala.com) the orphanage is made to look as though it is a "self-sustaining" place. Not the case, as we would soon to come to find out in the first weeks of our volunteer experience.

Let's start from the beginning:

We chose to volunteer at CG for a few reasons. 1. Location 2. It's "Self Sufficiency" 3. It's mission.

1. Location - We liked the fact that it seemed secluded, limited power, limited access, and so forth. We we're thinking that this seclusion would give us more insight to the rural Guatemalan cultures. Which, in a since it does. However, Rio Dulce also happens to be the safest location for Caribbean Sailors to dock their boats during hurricanes. In other words, Rio Dulce is a hot spot for washed up, retired American sailors. Quite the contrast...Secluded orphanage on the river v.s. 35 foot yachts. Not what we envisioned.

2. "Self Sufficiency" - At least for myself, this was the main draw to volunteer at CG. According to the website, GC has chickens, pigs, and a farm that supply the children with superb nutrition (their mission). Not the case. Yes, there are a few pigs. But, the the kids are only given the chicharones (basically the part of the pig you don't want to eat...hot dog meat...follow?...liver, intestine, and fat...I think you get it now). The meat from the pigs is then sold in the market. Chickens, don't exist. Supposedly the feed got to pricey and now they have torn down the coops...no more huevos! The farm, they mainly grow corn now, with non of it making it to the kitchen for the kids.

3. It's mission - Provide home, nutrition, and healthcare for the orphanages. Yes, there is a roof over the children's heads, yes they do eat (rice and beans 3 times a day), and yes they do get volunteer delivered healthcare.

All in all we feel as though we have been slightly deceived by the website. And, there are many more annoyances, but no reason to bother you with them.

NOW, we are on our first descanso (break) from CG, and what better way to spend it? Drinking micro-brew in HONDURAS!!! DD Brewery. The only micro-brew in Honduras.

Si no estas viviendo, solo queda una option mas.

DOM