What’s everyone, I hope everyone is doing well. These latest days here in Guatemala have easily been some my best here and has really been great, especially last weekend. Last Friday I got invited to go to a concert of a Guatemalan rock band and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity, figuring I wouldn’t get this chance often...little did I know that the band was one of the most popular and successful bands from Guatemala. The band is called El Tambor de la Tribu, and they were having an anniversary show for their 7th year together, so they decided to hold the concert in a small bar that they used to perform at before they were popular. I got invited by the aunt of Rodrigo who is family friends with the cousin of the lead singer (yeah that’s probably a bit confusing to read…sorry), but the show was great and it was really fun to be in a small bar, with a small amount of people, listening to a great band, and making new friends.
On Saturday morning I got to go to the General Cemetery and work with the kids of sonRisas!!! It was great to work with them and meet them all for a second time. Saturday was really special because we invited other AIESEC interns to come to the cemetery and work with the kids and give a presentation about their countries. (There are AIESEC interns working for other businesses in Guatemala from all around the world.) So on Saturday we had Guto and Paula present about Brazil, Ariel present about Argentina, Fiorela present about Peru, Pieter present about Holland, and Karie and I presented about the United States. The kids really liked the presentations and it was great to bring in other volunteers and get them involved in SonRisas. (Check out the video on facebook if you have it, Celeste made it and I'm tagged in it...it's amazing) I think they enjoyed it and hopefully in the future some of them will come back on Saturdays and work with the kids again. On Saturday afternoon the other AIESEC interns and I went back one of their apartments and hung out and cooked some food. It was a really fun afternoon hanging out with people from all over the world in a really relaxed setting, just getting to know everyone better and making MORE new friends.
On Sunday I went to Antigua with Rodrigo and his family and hung out most of the day at his aunt and uncle’s house which is in a small town on the outskirts of Antigua. During the day we all hung out and played cards and they grilled out and we had some really great food. Then in the early evening Rodrigo, his girlfriend Melissa, a few of his cousins and I drove into Antigua and walked around for a bit before heading back, picking everyone up at the house and heading home to Guatemala city. The weekend was a really great time and thanks to everyone who made it possible!!!
All of this week has also been going really well. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I’ve been working on sonRisas work, medical ID cards, a health manual, and other medical documents, as well as working with some of the other AIESEC interns to hopefully get sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company for our up coming medical day in August, where we will have doctors, dentists, and optometrists giving check up for all the kids and their families, as well as handing out vitamins and medicine. The medical day is called “Jornada Medica” and sonRisas holds it once a year with the help of another organization called Manos de Amor, and it’s a really huge deal. This year I’m helping plan it and hopefully I’ll be able to get AIESEC to participate and get donations and volunteers to help with the day.
I’ll write again soon when I have more news and updates from Guatemala. Take care.
Paz y Amor,
Jesse
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