TEAMworks Guatemala - April 9, 2015

Gautemala Day 1
We arrived at the airport on time with all 16 suitcases, 8 wheelchairs, and 6 walkers.  Our first hurdle was when the airline recommended that we use a competing airline on our next trip after seeing all of our equipment.  The second hurdle started off not so bad with $200 in extra baggage fees.....and then Craig showed up with a 113 pound crate that cost $400.  The third hurdle was the pilot informing us that we would have 20 minutes of turbulance that lasted 3 hours until we landed in Guatemala City.  With the hurdles behind us, we emerged to find beautiful weather and Leo and Juan's smiling faces. Once we loaded the van down with all of our equipment, we went straight to The Learning Spot.  The Learning Spot is a facility that our dear Guatemalan friend, Diana, created with the help of her friends and family to provide services for children who desperately need therapy but cannot afford it.  We were welcomed with a delicious lunch and personalized painted pictures given to us by the kids.

After our lunch at The Learning Spot, we divided into three TEAMs and went straight to work for the next four hours.  Some parents traveled via bus for two hours to come to see us.  We saw each child with their parents.  They were all eager to learn and appreciative for any information and equipment that we could give to them.  We were able to give two wheelchairs, orthotics, beniks, a walker, games, oral motor tools, and developmental toys to these sweet children.

Our fourth and final hurdle, happened as we were trying to leave the Learning Spot.  We experienced more turbulance when our van required a push start to get started.  Leo and Craig pushed the van full of all of us girls and all of the equipment and thankfully after 2 huge "clutch" starts, Tio Juan got it going!

We finished our evening with a gracious hostess here in Guatemala CIty, Anita, and another delicious meal.  Tomorrow half of the group will be headed to an impromptu visit at Mama Carmen's Orphanage while the other half will be speaking to parents and teachers at a local school for children with special needs

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