I know, I got back in September, and it's now January, but I have finally got around to posting some pictures of my time in Paraguay, to prove we actually did do what I told you all about...
So just a reminder - I spent 2 months in Paraguay working in a children's home, that some people from Aldridge Parish Church support. I can safely say that it has been a life changing experience, and I will be going back one day! I think about the girls and the people I met there everyday, and have heard that the home have had more new children join them in the time I have been home.
At the end of our two months, we spent three of four days at Iguassu in Brazil and Argentina, which was amazing, so nice to finish off our trip!
Again, I want to thank everyone who supported me and OSA on this trip, even if it was just saying 'good luck', to know there were so many people behind me was amazing. Thanks to this trip, I now have a few ideas about what I want to do when I finish uni in a few months! So here goes:
The other day I found something I wrote after the opening of the playground. I thought I'd share it as you might see what I mean through some of the smiles in the photos:
'Today poverty did not define them. It did not effect them.
They had the chance to be normal children, happy and having fun.'
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| This was on the plane on the way to Brazil, we still had another plane ride to get to Paraguay. I think it was when I saw this map that I realised how far away I was going... |
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| The wall of the Comedor, we re-painted the Comedor white, just to make it look a bit more cheerful again, but its probably grey already from all the dust around! |
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| This was apparently a quieter day at the comedor, where local children come for a guarenteed hot, quality meal once a day, either on their way to or from school. Around 80-100 children are fed here. For many it is the only meal they will have that day. |
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| This is where all the meals are cooked. Its an open stove because there is no gas or electricity. |
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The Next few photos are of the work we did while we were there:
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| We improved the Kitchen garden, and added the nets (which took forever) for protection. | | |
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| Happy chickens after we extended their living area by a lot! |
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| Kitchen at the Children's house before we started the work. This was pretty much unusable, which meant that the children had to walk 5 minutes to the comedor for all their meal in the rain, cold and dark. And when it rains in Paraguay it is proper thunderstorms. |
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| The very same kitchen. So much improved and now being used. First meal = burgers and hotdogs! One of my proudest moments ever! |
And of course the children's playground, our main project:
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| Official opening, with some of the poorest children from the village invited to come along. |
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| Just testing... |
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And here's some other pictures that just sum up the most amazing 2 months of my life...
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| I was allowed to use a chainsaw...note all the health and safety around... |
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| New jumpers from a school in England. Look at the smiling faces you get from giving a school jumper! Can you spot the 2 sets of twins in this photo? |
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| A typical house on the edge of the village. |
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| Traditional dancing in the village on children's day. |
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| Some of the crowd on children's day that our kids performed to. |
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| New t-shirts for all their performances |
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| Puppet show in another village. Sharing the bible... |
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| Typical transportation. |
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| Trying to work, and get poked and prodded by these beautifuls. |
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| Home! |
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| First ever birthday cake on their 9th birthday! |
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| Thank you! | | |
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Finally a couple from Iguassu:
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| Argentina! |
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| Brasil! |
