Los Hogares Santa María de Guadalupe

CON MELVIN MICK

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CARNAVAL

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NUEVO AÑO

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RECIBIMOS EL AÑO 2011 CON LA VISITA DE AMIGOS

And so much more...

2009-01-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

There were many more activities and sports events, all culminating with a Mass on the 12th.

Agua Park

2009-01-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

The 3rd of December we took the children to a water park in Escuintla named Agua Park and they really enjoyed it. After lunch we all left for Chimaltenango, where we lit the anniversary torch. All the kids really love this activity because they have an opportunity to go to a place outside of Santa Apolonia.

Anniversary

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After all the educational activities, like the ending of the school year and graduations, everyone participated in different committees to celebrate our 23rd anniversary. We started on the 2nd of December with the inauguration of the young girl representatives of Los Hogares.

Endings

2009-01-07T07:27:00.001-08:00

7 students from Los Hogares finished grade school and 8 finished high school. The 8 who have completed their studies at the high school level are now in charge of their education; doing necessary investigations and enrollments to begin their careers in January. Go forward boys and girls. We love you so much.

The End of Pre-school

2009-01-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

The 4 pre-school students are very happy to have celebrated the end of their school year. Now they are ready to start grade school in January. Congratulations.

Graduates

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October 23rd was the Graduation Mass for the young men and women of Los Hogares. We are especially happy and grateful for the benefactors who made the dreams of our students a reality. May God bless Ana, Bartola, Marta, Lorena, Lourdes, William, and David. Let this triumph be only the beginning of many obtained in your life.

Biotopo del Quetzal

2009-01-07T07:23:00.000-08:00

On the 20th of October, a number of the Hogares team enjoyed a retreat on a trip to Cobán alta Verapaz. In our travels, we visited the Biotopo del Quetzal, a place designated to the conservation of our national bird, in Baja Verapaz, much like the Grutas del Rey Marcos (Caves of King Mark). In San Juan Chamelco. The trip to the biotope was beautiful; the beginning was exciting and easygoing-scaling a mountain and crossing a river various times. We found relaxation at the waterfalls. It is a marvelous place for nature lovers.

The Museum

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They told us that the best time to see a quetzal is in the morning when it comes down to eat. It was too bad we had to settle with seeing it in the museum.

Party

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During the evening, everyone except the sisters went to a restaurant with live music and enjoyed singing and dancing. The next day we didn’t have much luck; after already traveling many kilometers and arriving at the caves, we were hit with a surprise: we couldn’t enter. What bad luck!

We returned to Cobán and visited a nursery of delicately cared for orchids. We got to see our national flower, the Monja Blanca, as well as a large quantity of different and beautiful orchids.

Would you like to see some?

Pre-school Exam

2009-01-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today in the pre-school was a day of entertainment. The pre-school kids had a circus themed final exam. The girls from Los Hogares were very excited in the preparations weeks before the actual performance, which went very well today.
Congratulations Yeimy, Elsa Cleta, Rut, and Martha and congratulations as well to Seño Sonia who was the coordinator of the event.

Kid's Day

2009-01-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

The 1st of October Guatemala celebrated el Día del Niño y la Niña (Kid's Day), but it wasn't until Friday the 3rd that the Sisters, volunteers, and employees celebrated. Only the smaller children were there, but it was a special afternoon where everyone performed, using their talents, to entertain the kids on their day.

After the games and dances everybody enjoyed a delicious cake.

We Want Cake Already!

2009-01-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

We want cake!

The 9th of September Juanita turned one year old, followed by Emely on the 29th. Their brothers and sisters of Los Hogares, the Tías, and the Sisters happily celebrated this event with cake.

Congratulations Juanita and Emely. We hope you have many more!

New Little Brother

2009-01-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday(25th of September), a new little brother arrived at Los Hogares. The baby was born on the 16th of September.
He didn’t have a name yet, so we have named him Elías Franciso.

Isn’t he handsome?

Welcome to your new home Elías!

Independence Day-September 15th

2009-01-06T18:11:00.000-08:00

Every Guatemalan celebrated Independence Day with much joy. And this year the kids were able to participate with pride in all of the activities arranged for this day. The most outstanding being the running of the freedom torch, which ended in a parade.

The Kermesse

2008-10-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

For some time we have had a special activity at Hogares: La Gran Kermesse (The Grand Fair), that helps us acquire funds. This is involves a lot of people: the whole Hogares team, schools, and townspeople from Santa Apolonia and Tecpan(who generously gave us donations for our food stands). We sold ice cream, chocolate bananas, every type of sweet, and different types of food.

The 5th of September was a highly anticipated event for everyone, especially for the kids who came to play the wide array of games in order to win prizes.

Thanks to everyone of our friends who made this activity possible and thanks to the children of Los Hogares for all your hard work.

New Volunteer

2008-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Katie Mueller, from the United States, joined the team here at Hogares as a volunteer on the 25th of August. She is going through the intergration process while practicing Spanish; participating in different activities with the children and personnel. We are very grateful for Katie´s enthusiasm and decision, and we wish her luck in this new experience.

Welcome to Los Hogares.

Confirmation

2008-10-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

On the 24th of August, 20 young men and women from Los Hogares received the sacrament of Confirmation in the church known as la Recolección in Guatemala City.
It was a simple ceremony, but very touching when the godparents shared with the young adults, who completed the one year process and made a lasting commitment to the Church.

At the Pool

2008-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the kids transformed our large pila where we wash clothes into their own swimming pool. They swam and had a lot of fun in the cold water. The pila was full of water thanks to the constant rains we have been having.

The End of a Visit

2008-10-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Alvaro Monterde, a visitor from Madrid, was in Los Hogares for one month. During that time he worked with everyone in different activities and we are very grateful for all the support he offered the students in primary and secondary school. Although it was his first time visiting Guatemala, he really connected with the children; winning the admiration of everyone, especially the younger kids.

Thank you Alvero for sharing your gifts with the children of Los Hogares and we hope that you return soon.

Don Mario

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Tuesday 02 September 2008

In addition to his work as a teacher in the shoemaking workshop, don Mario dedicates time to the maintenance of the new water purification system.

The Strawberry Harvest at Los Hogares

2008-10-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

August 14th marked the beginning of the harvest in our strawberry field. It is a very exciting activity because the younger children have an opportunity to participate in the whole process, from the sowing to the selling of the strawberries.

Welcome to the Los Hogares Blog!

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Welcome to the official blog of Hogares Santa Maria de Guadalupe (Los Hogares). This blog is created to keep friends and family of the orphanage up to date on the happenings here. Los Hogares was started by the School Sister’s of Saint Francis at the end of Guatemala’s 36 year Civil War. During the war the Guatemalan sisters became refugees in Mexico. On their return, they knew of many war victims, especially Mayan Indian widows and orphans. The sisters opened the orphanage in 1985.
Los Hogares is a home for children who have been orphaned, abandoned or are victims of violence. Fifteen children live in each of the simple homes, cared for by sisters or foster mothers called Tias (Spanish for aunt). Together with volunteers, the staff provide for the spiritual, physical, social and academic needs of the children until they are 18 years old. Beside the 87 children presently cared for by the Homes, there are 103 “alums.” With the help of many good people they were prepared for their future before they left. All had finished primary school, 40% had completed high school, and 25% received post secondary education. The children study primary (1-6) and secondary (7-9) in the town school. They also learn vocational skills in the workshops at Los Hogares: carpentry, sewing, shoemaking, gardening and agriculture. These workshops provide for the clothing, shoes and furniture needs of the orphanage. The children also help raise some of their own daily food: vegetables, corn for tortillas, laying hens and pigs.Los Hogares is an incredible place and we are proud to share with you our lives here.