Embrace International Foundation’s Work Teams - Guatemala
Purpose:
The participants on this trip will fly to Guatemala and work with Paul and Bev Carrick in assisting Embrace’s local partner organization on several initiatives. The primary activity will be to assemble a playground for children within CIPECADI’s program. The team will also undertake general maintenance on the charity’s rural petting zoo and help to paint fencing and a barn. Additionally, the team will assist the Carrick’s in preparring Christmas hampers for the mothers of the children. These hampers will include useful household supplies as well as a few holiday treats for the families.
Itinerary:
Day One: Travel Day
Fly from Calgary to Guatemala City via Houston arriving in Guatemala at approximately 21:30 hrs. The group will then drive to Antigua and sleep in this lovely tourist town. The hotel costs are approximately $70 ($35 if one shares a room) per night including free Internet and breakfast.
Day Two: Orientation Day
After making the appropriate arrangements – the Embrace team will visit the CIPECADI offices in the afternoon and make a quick trip the organization’s petting zoo (Granja). We will inspect the work to be done (construction of a playground) and general maintenance around the facility. We will then return to Antigua for a review of the day’s activities.
Day Three: Granja Work Day (Petting Zoo and Stable)
The Embrace team will spend the morning working at the Granja and have a late lunch in Antigua. The afternoon will be spent sightseeing in and around Antigua or attending Spanish school.
Day Four: Granja Work Day
We will spend the morning working at the Granja and have a late lunch in Antigua. The afternoon will be spent sightseeing in and around Antigua or attending Spanish school.
Day Five: Granja Work Day
We will spend the morning working at the Granja and have a late lunch in Antigua. The afternoon will be spent sightseeing in and around Antigua or attending Spanish school
Day Six: Antigua Work Day
This day will be spent purchasing items at the local market for Christmas baskets that the mothers of CIPECADI’s clients / children will be given. These baskets will include things like soap, rice, beans, coffee / tea, sugar, personal hygiene items, chocolate, and cooking oil. CIPECADI has a tradition of encouraging the mothers of their clients with a basket of useful items to help the families get through the challenging Christmas season. Embrace covers the cost of this activity.
Day Seven: Antigua Work Day
This day will be spent assembling the Christmas baskets and organizing them for distribution at CIPECADI’s annual Christmas party.
Day Eight: Antigua Work Day
This day will be spent handing out the Christmas baskets to all of CIPECADI’s clients and their mothers. This will be a very rewarding activity and a fun filled day. The spirit of Christmas abounds!
Day Nine: Tourism and Fact-finding Activities
On this day the Embrace team will participate in our partner charity’s annual 2K and 8K run. CIPECADI organizes this race every year in solidarity with the UN’s International Day for People with Disabilities. It will be an inspiring day of getting to know the charity that you have supported, but more importantly, you will get to run /walk with all of the CIPECADI children through the streets of Antigua.
Day Ten: Travel Day - Return to Canada