I used to be a good letter writer, as in consistent (even while working at summer camp!) and I actually enjoyed it both for getting them and sending but more for getting them back :). I have received some good letters. One time a friend of mine typed a 2 page letter and then cut it up so I had to put it together before I could read it. It was kind of frustrating but hilarious at the same time! But there’s something about receiving a letter from a friend in their handwriting that is personal. When I was a kid, and didn’t get junk mail:), it was always fun to have something come in the mail, just for me. That personal aspect of communication is somewhat lost in the electronic age. However, I love that while I am living so far away from family and friends, I don’t have to wait months to receive a letter, the convenience of electronic communication is amazing! I’ve been thinking about my job/role here with the Integral Heart Foundation as Sponsor Liaison. My job is to be the intermediary between these beautiful children and the wonderful people who are willing to give to help these children have a chance at a better future. So in the spirit of the theme of this post, I will use the electronic communication to write a letter to convey my thoughts and my heart on this role/responsibility (you’ll have to imagine my handwriting:)).
· Dear Friend,
Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve written so I’ll do my best to not make it a book:). How are you doing? What’s going on in your world these days? I’d love to hear an update when you have a chance!
Life in Guatemala, where do I start?! I’m happy to be here, I’m frustrated by it, sometimes it’s hard, I’m content, you know the opposing feelings, but overall I love living here and I am enjoying the work I do. So more details on all of these. Well, my job title with Integral Heart Foundation is Sponsor Liaison. So what that means in a nutshell, is that I am the person in between our sponsors and their sponsored kids. One thing I really love is that we are really trying to foster a personal relationship between the sponsor and the children. We have done some skype chats between sponsor and child and always with a positive response along the lines of “it makes it so much more real, they are actually a person and not just a photo!” The kids are usually quite shy the first time, but they love it:). We give the sponsors a picture to put up on their fridge when they sign up. We have started collecting pictures from the sponsors along with a personal note form the sponsor to the child and framing them and giving them to the kids! It’s great because both parties get to have pictures and think about each other and the future that now is possible for this child because of the generosity of a stranger. This is a good part! A hard part is seeing a parent who can’t dream for their children and doesn’t seem to want a better life for their kids than they have. Sometimes it seems like they are throwing away possibly the only opportunity that they might get to make a change for the future. Or seeing a child who chooses to not accept the amazing gift given to them. Or feeling helpless in certain situations. But then, you see families, parents and children who are working so hard and are so thankful for what they are receiving and are now able to accomplish. I’m looking forward to seeing the kids in a few years and being able to have some success stories!
Life for me personally is different here. I don’t have a car, so I need to walk or take public transportation, usually a combination of both. Which adds commuting time to my day and sometimes I need to plan well because there are buses that only go at certain times to certain areas. I am washing laundry by hand, which adds time, there’s no throwing a load in and doing something else in the mean time:). I have to carry all my groceries, so that usually means going once a week. But the fresh produce at the market is great!
Another part of my role is to be a voice for these kids. Sometimes, as I mentioned that’s hard. But where I can speak for them is with you. These kids need help, so many of them could have a future so bright and so much better than the life they are living right now. But they need people like you and your friends to know that they exist and to know how you can become involved. So that’s where I come in
:). Here’s our website;
http://www.integralheartfoundation.org/index.html, where there is more information on what we are doing here in Guatemala and how you can be a part of a child’s future. You can take a look at the children that already have sponsors and those that are ready to be sponsored. Maybe there will be a face or a story that tugs at your heart or you can relate to in some way and you would like to help. Or maybe you would like to host a small virtual fundraiser at your house. Maybe an appetizer or dessert evening where I could skype in and we could catch up and I could give you some more information on the Integral Heart Foundation. Or maybe you have another idea of how you would like to be involved. We are always looking for creative ideas and partnerships to help in the work that we are doing. Let me know if any of these seem like something you would like to do. I know there are lots of organizations that are doing good and are vying for your support. So I thank you, as my friend, for taking the time to read about what I’m doing here. If you can, please pass on our information to your family and friends.
Well this turned into more of a book than I intended:). But thanks again for reading and for caring about me. I appreciate your friendship and look forward to hearing about what’s going on in your life.
Enjoy your day my friend!
Love Liz
