Social Inclusion in Guatemala Part 2

 

Up before dawn and on the road at 5am. The things we do for the arts! Also to beat the blazing sun later on, as well as the traffic. Although, driving in the pre-dawn dark wasn’t much fun. Plenty of traffic already with many cars outfitted like Christmas trees. In Guatemala there is no middle way: people drive without any lights at all, or they pimp their vehicles till they look like the tandem bicycle in Men in Black II.

We made it to San Martín Jilotepeque and at 6.30am on the dot we were at work. As soon as we got out of the car, we were warmly greeted by two street dogs who stuck with us during the day. Despite of their heartwarming hugs, it was COLD! Something like 12°C. But we knew it wouldn’t last for long. An indeed, as soon as the sun made it over the mountain tops and then over the buildings in our street, it was HOT. From 12°C to 28°C in two hours’ time, WOW!

We were back in San Martín Jilotepeque to finish the mural we had started last month. It wasn’t an awful lot of work, but the details that were pending were important ones. Such as the name of the school and the symbols that represent different special needs. Now it’s all done and finally the mural, with social inclusion as a theme, makes sense!

It won’t be our last time in San Martín Jilotepeque. With the Dutch Foundation Colour4Kids we’re still raising funds for the construction of a second level for this school for children with special needs. Another level means more walls, so hopefully more paint projects in the future!

This mural is sponsored by Colour4Kids. Many thanks to Catherine Corry for driving (again!) as well as doing a terrific paint job. And thanks to our friend Cristy Velasco who brought us coffee and her delicious carrot cake.