Reconnections
"Because some of us had the privilege of visiting Safe Passage once before in February 2008, returning there in October 2009 became a journey of reconnections. Our Rotary International District 7790 Team #3 was there to once again provide service to the children and families of Safe Passage. What we received was far greater than what we gave. While there several of us reconnected with staff members whom we had met on the previous trip. But more importantly we made reconnections with the children and mothers who are served by SP. The most gratifying reconnections were with our sponsor children. We could see for ourselves how they had matured as young people. It is very evident that SP is doing an incredible job of meeting the many needs of the children and families. This is not to say that our work is done. It is like scraping the tarnish off a silver bowl and seeing the brilliance of the polished silver spot coming through, but the bowl has much more surface to be polished. It is no different with those served by SP. With every reconnection you see more brilliance shining through. The children are cleaner, more confident, and smiling through eyes that gleam with hope for a better life. It is even that much more obvious with meeting the women of CREAMOS that creating opportunities for hope through education is the way SP will succeed."

Doug Ibarguen, Farmington, ME, October '09

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"I traveled to Cambodia the summer going into my freshman year in high school. Ever since then I have planed on making service work a huge part of my life. It was hard for me to explain this to my dad because he was worried that the life I desired was too dangerous. My dad and I have always been really close and I desperately wanted him to understand my passion. When I heard about Safe Passage, I knew that this was not only a perfect opportunity for my dad to understand my motives, but also for him to get a new perspective on his own life. I knew that once my dad got to Guatemala he would love it, but I wasn't prepared for how much. He bonded with the kids and though he speaks absolutely no Spanish he was quick to pick up small words and phrases. The kids giggled at his mispronunciations and clung to him and wouldn't let go.. I will never forget the day when we saw a young girl sitting alone on a bench in the school; we had been told previously that this girl had gone through some really hard situations. Though he couldn't communicate he simply went and sat down next to her. Without saying a word she took his hand and they sat in silence. I knew at this moment that my dad finally understood my passion. Ever since we have gotten home our family has rallied behind the organization. Right now we are trying to put together enough baseball supplies to send to Safe Passage so they can start a team at the school. I have rarely seen my dad this excited about anything. I can't thank Safe Passage enough for what it has done, not only for the families in Guatemala, but also for my own."

Emily Norton, Cumberland, ME, July '09

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"We came together as a nurse, 2 teachers, a counselor, a law firm administrator, a school bus driver, a fire fighter and a school cook/non-profit coordinator. Our entire trip to Guatemala was a marvelous experience. The organization of the SP staff made it comfortable to navigate the trip and language barriers. No one in our group is proficient in Spanish, though we sure tried and laughed about it a lot when in action. 

"We spent a quality week learning about the MANY aspects of the SP program. It is impressive to get first hand experience of all the many ways Safe Passage is helping families. In viewing the dump for the first time many were stunned to realize the size and the hazards people deal with daily.  

"Some highlights of our trip were spending time with the youngest children at La Guardaria, helping in their classrooms and playing on the wonderful play structure built by students from the University of Washington. The two days spent helping and teaching in various classrooms of the older children was very rewarding. We taught our two projects we'd designed and brought from home. Warmth, laughter and thankfulness for the opportunity to get to meet these lovely young people was felt by us all! It couldn't have been more wonderful to see all the lives being helped by this multifaceted program." 

Nancy Beach, Snoqualmie Pass, WA, July '09

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The St. Bart’s Youth Group returned from a week in Guatemala on July 20.  Please click here to read Sharon Sauerwald's  reflections on this trip.  You can also click here to see their YouTube video.

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Ten Northwestern Michigan College students returned May 11, 2008 from a weeklong service trip with Safe Passage - please click here to read an article about their trip.

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The Deering High School support team from Maine returned April 19, 2008 from Guatemala after a wonderful week spent with Safe Passage children and staff.  Click here to read their blog which captures their daily adventures in Guatemala.

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"We were protected and taken care of as a group, the way Safe Passage takes care of its children. We felt like arms were wrapped around us; it's understandable why the children feel so safe."

Jane Hurd, Boothbay, ME Feb ‘06

“As I sit here at my desk with the snow coming down and the cold winds blowing outside, snapshots of our time together in Guatemala steadily stream through my mind. Since leaving, these visions constantly emerge, and along with them a range of emotions.

The horror of seeing that endless dump from the hilltop, watching alongside the vultures as the garbage trucks roared in, filling the air with putrid choking dust, and dumped their loads into the crowds of people waiting to find trash that would help them survive. The wonder I felt when we crossed a garbage strewn vacant lot toward a concrete wall, opened a gate, and saw a structure emerging out of the ashes -- the new Early Intervention Center opening this spring, with light-filled classrooms, bathrooms, a community center, gardens, soccer field. The tears I choked back as I listened to the children in the transition program sing "We will be friends forever.”
Later, not being able to hold back the tears when I asked a young widow whose husband was shot in front of her children what Safe Passage could do for HER, and she replied- I could not ask for more, they have done everything for my children.”

Sharon Workman, Traverse City, MI Feb ‘06

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