HELPS

Day 4:

A visit today to the school in Santa Avelina provided us with many opportunities to reconnect with old friends and see the new students registering for school at the William M. Botenen HELPS School. Lois ONeal was there along with Cheryl Weeks-Rosten taking photos of the new pre-kinder students. All of these students are awaiting sponsorship. There were 19 in all, making this years attendance at 138 pre-kinder through 6th grades.

I was also able to reconnect with the little girl I sponsor Aidya and her family. There were bringing in her little brother Eddie who will be a new pre-kinder student this year and is looking for a sponsor. I brought gifts for Aidya. It was fun to see her excited to receive a little dress and sweat shirt. She is very shy and uncertain as to how to take it all in. Her mother was very greatful that Aidya is receiving an education.

It was fun to see all of the children's art work.

While we were on outreach, Dr. Joe Wenner, St. Cloud, Dr. Robert Schwegler, Albany worked hard with with their translators and assistants to provide dental care for all the students. Dr. Joe was amazed, they have been coming now for three years and they only had to pull a few teeth. They believe that this is primarily due to the preventative dentistry that has taken place over the last three years. The children have their own tooth brushes and the teachers make sure that dental hygiene is done at the school as well as at home.

Dr. Lucy from Dallas, and Nurse Karla from New Brighton, MN treat the many women and children that seek treatment in Santa Avelina. This is a first time trip for both and they cannot wait to come back. We are very greatful to them for their service.

The clouds move in and the team packs up to return to the hospital in Nebaj. It was a wonderful day, new and old friends connect and we are exhausted after a day of service to our beautiful friends of Santa Avelina Guatemala.