Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
January, 2016
www.viamistad.org | Newsletter #2 | January 2016 |
GET TO KNOW US
Viamistad was organized and
supported by Viamericas
Corporation as the focus of its
global giving campaign.
Viamericas encourages and
facilitates crossborder
community support for
Viamistad initiative.
Please Donate!
Viamistad depends on donations
from friends like you! Remember,
100% of donations go to camp
operations.
www.viamistad.org/support
SPOTLIGHT NEWS
The 2015 camp season was full of
new activities for campers to
experience. We added adaptive
water skiing to our list of
outdoor
excursions.
Many
participants got to ride horses
and swim in the ocean for the
first time.
Viamistad News
Coming Together for Achik
In its second year, Campamento Achik brought together people
from new places with varying disabilities and grew from 35 to 46
people total. The camp hosted people with Autism and Visual
Impairment for the first time creating a broader impact on the
people of Guatemala. There were also campers from new regions,
such as Lester from Guatemala City and Jonathon, who lives on a
coffee farm in San Juan del Obisbo. A group from Brillo del Sol, a
school and organization that serves people with disabilities in San
Gaspar Vivar, a suburb of Antigua, arrived at camp for the first
time. The returning group from
Antigua spread the word
about camp and brought two
new friends along this year.
The mix of second-year and
first-year participants created
a wonderful environment of
family style bonding and
excitement as old friends
reunited and new friendships
were forged.
Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
January, 2016
Get To Know Our
Volunteers
A Day at the Parade
When an opportunity arose to attend Dia Internacional de las
Personas con Discapacidad, the Wixbiil group headed to Solol
for an all day event. On the scenic route across the lake, we had
a dance party on the upper deck of the boat. After taking a long
pick-up ride we arrived just in time to join the parade.
Glenda from San Gaspar Antigua,
Guatemala
Glenda started to write her story in
the year of 2014 in Campamento
Wixbiil
where
she
attended
Viamistad camps for the first time
and fell in love with this great work.
It has been one of the most
beautiful experiences to lend arms,
hands, and legs to people who can
not do for themselves, to fulfill their
dream of swimming, walking and
even dancing, said Glenda.
There were multiple times when the
participants impressed Glenda.
Camp was where I learned that
every dream can become reality and I
was completely amazed to see the
fight of these friends to move
forward day after day, despite their
disabilities, said Glenda.
We dashed into the event hall with similar organizations in the
community. Actors, dancers, and musicians with disabilities lit
up the stage in front of a packed audience. The participants and
volunteers proudly donned their camp t-shirts and were one of
the largest attending groups. Camp Director, Sarah Peller,
received a certificate of recognition on behalf of Viamistad for
participating in the event. After some food and face painting, we
received balloon animals from the group of clowns. The feeling
of community was undeniable, leaving our participants feeling
loved and welcomed. This annual event is now on our list of
must-do activities for the years to come.
Expanding Our Impact
In 2015, Viamistad increased its impact even more, helping 79
people with disabilities. The camp also hosted participants from
numerous regions of the country, notably expanding its reach.
This year, we were able to help people from Retalhuleu,
Quetzaltenango, and even San Martin Chinautla near Guatemala
City. The map below shows how impactful our camp is becoming
all over the country!
This year in 2015, she continued her
volunteer work with a big heart in
two of the camps, Achik and
Wixbiil, of which she said, I lend
them my hands and feet to make
their dreams come true. Glenda
plans on returning for Viamistad
camps in 2016.
Viamistad News
Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
January, 2016
Get to Know Our
Campers
Lester from Guatemala City
We had the pleasure of speaking
to Lesters mother, Aura Flores,
after his first year at camp. The
experience had a huge impact on
the 26 year old from the capital
city.
He loved it so much, said his
mother, especially being with
everyone. He came back happy
and with an improved attitude.
Lester appreciated going places he
has never been before, like going
out in public for our infamous
dance parties.
She also commented on how she
felt sending her child to a place
hours away for a whole week.
It was my first time, said his
mother. I felt nervous.
However, Lester had a different
reaction.
He is so secure, he wasnt
scared, said his mother.
We recently learned that spending
a week among friends means more
to Lester than most. Lester has
not attended school in two years.
He cannot read or write but is
very motivated to learn.
His mother said, He is alone in
the house and he is bored. He
hopes to find a school or program
in the city to attend this year.
For someone like Lester, camp is
the ideal setting to explore talents,
learn new things, and make
friends. He plans to return to
Viamistad
News
camp
this year.
Friendship Blooms
One of the main missions of camp came alive for all to see this
year as 19 year olds Diego and Etienn met and instantly formed an
incredible friendship during camp Kikotimaal. The two
participants hail from different parts of the country, Retalhuleu
and Quetzaltenango, living hours apart. However, when the two
met at camp, they shared a genuine bond that they plan to keep
up throughout the year.
Diego and Etienn helped each other throughout the week, had
infectious bouts of laughter from their inside jokes, and spent lots
of time together during group activities.
Its beautiful to see various people from different places building
friendships without limitations, said Gladys, an annual volunteer
from Retalheleu.
Diego and Etienn are an example of just how powerful a week at
camp can be for the participants.
Camp friendships truly surpass the boundaries of societal
expectations. The volunteers at camp get the opportunity to
provide personal one-on-one care for their friends with
disabilities. Mayco, a first year volunteer describes his experience
building a friendship with Emanuel.
He is like a best friend and
brother to me. Camp was
the best because you learn
from them and they learn
from you, said Mayco.
An adventurous experience
like this provides the perfect
setting to create lasting
bonds.
Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
January, 2016
Camp Sessions 2016
Achik: November 19-26
Wixbiil: December 2-9
Kikotimaal: December 15-22
Contact Us
If you are or know an adult or
child with severe disabilities
(in Guatemala), or wish to
volunteer with us during camp
sessions, please contact
Sarah Peller: (502)5110-0734
[email protected]
Kikotimaal Takes a Trip to
Neverland
Even though Campamento Kikotimaal celebrated its 11th year, it
was a week of firsts for many participants. One grand experience
stands out among the others. This year, for the first time in camp
history, the group performed a play for the public in Antigua. We
performed the classic story, Peter Pan, with several plot twists, a
little bit of extra magic, and an alternate ending to remember, in
front of camp families, friends, and members of the general
public.
Volunteers and participants alike collaborated on writing the
script, choreographing dance numbers, and giving the crowd
something to laugh about. The play required several hours of
rehearsal during the week so we created some fun ways to
practice. One night, a fiery group singing competition heated up
the main dining area. During the day our art classes consisted of
painting, cutting, and gluing for all of the play props. Then the
group headed off to Antigua for a weekend of theatre, tourism,
and the dance party of the ages! The participants were excited to
set up the stage at The Sitio, rehearse, and get ready to perform.
It was a new experience for me I felt very happy because so many
people came to see the play, said Vanessa, who has been coming
to camp for 11 years.
The play was well received by our audience and claps and bouts of
laughter could be heard from outside the theatre. The magic of
Peter Pan was present that night as everyone was reminded that
with a little bit of belief and help from friends, anything is
possible!
Viamistad News
