Getting to know one another

The first week we were here the children were out of school. This is their winter so the temps are cooler and it is the rainy season. The children will be out for summer in mid Oct.-January sometime. There are about 22 or so children from 5mos. to 13yrs. In 2008, international adoptions were stopped in Guatemala. Adoptions can occur within the country. The problem is that it is generally not common for Guatemalans to adopt. So these children could grow up in an orphanage.

The second picture is of a baby named Lizzy. She is 5months old and was found in the trash. Thankfully, someone found her and she has a chance for a good life. The children are so loving and most are very friendly. Some are there due to previous malnutrition, neglect, and abuse by their birth parents. There are ladies who are called "mamas" who love and care for the children. Two of the mamas that took care of Carolina and Maria still work there. It was a blessings for all that they could see each other again. 

 

 Mama Ana, Carolina, Maria, and Mama Mimi (who was just 18 when she cared for the girls).
Another day we traveled to Quezaltenago to visit with some other retired "mamas", but that story is for another day!