Volunteer Experiences - Diane W.

As a single “forty something” from Boston, MA, who has worked for the same company for 20+ years, I ‘m fortunate to have an abundance of vacation time. I enjoy taking unconventional trips to try to get a real feel for how people live in other countries (in the past I’ve built homes with Habitat for Humanities Global Village Program in Costa Rica and South Africa and I’ve supervised teams of “locals” distributing uniforms at the Olympics in Australia and Greece). In the States I work in a residential program for adolescents referred by the courts or the Department of Social Services. I love my work but I usually take vacations that allow me to take a break from the demands of working with a “challenging” group of teenagers. When a friend was planning her trip to Guatemala to work with orphans I pictured myself changing diapers, filling bottles, and rocking little babies to sleep. When I found out that Hogar Miguel Magone dealt with an older population I thought… “Oh No!!” I considered backing out of the trip but ultimately resolved to forge ahead, convincing myself that “things happen for a reason”.

I’m so grateful that I did!! Hogar Miguel Magone is a wonderful place and Karen Rodas de Reynoso is perhaps the most caring, committed, and genuinely generous person that I’ve had the good fortune to meet. She gives and gives of herself and in so doing she has created a network of people and agencies who all give back so that the boys in Karen’s care will have what they need. No one wants to be separated from their family, even kids with long histories of abuse and neglect delude themselves into thinking/wishing that things will get better and that their parents will be able to provide for them. Sadly, in Guatemala where 80% of the population is impoverished, many parents are unable to provide decent food, housing, education, and medical care for their children. That’s where people like Karen come in. What she has created at Miguel Magone, with such limited resources, is truly remarkable. The children of Miguel Magone are so resilient. While they can be rascals at times and they all have their “moments”, they open their hearts, revel in affection from virtual strangers, and their smiles are, quite literally, like rays of sunshine poking through their stormy pasts. Karen has created a family and real home for these boys. Volunteers are needed to supplement the services provided by Karen’s crew of teachers, the cook, the laundry lady, and others who come in to work on English lessons, computer skills, mathematics, bakery, carpentry, etc.

Volunteers spend time preparing and serving meals, accompanying kids to school and appointments, assisting with homework, supervising chores and activities of daily living at the home. You might find yourself breaking up a fight or two, mending a scraped knee, or providing solace/hugs to a sad soul. Volunteers can jump in and offer assistance wherever their talents and strengths will be best put to use. My favorite activity was just bonding with the kids over simple games/puzzles (something where a strong command of the Spanish language was not necessary!!)

I can’t say enough about my experience in Guatemala. It is definitely one of those instances where you get back so much more than you give. I returned to the United States with a renewed appreciation for all that I take for granted as well as a lasting impression that one person can make a difference. Karen is that person for so many in Guatemala. I pray that she has the courage and the resources to continue her valuable work. My trip has also left me determined to share my experience with people I work with at home. Children want and need to know that someone cares about them and wants to see them succeed and become independent. Only then will they find the strength to overcome the circumstances in which they’ve been raised. The children of Miguel Magone have shown me how strong the human spirit can be and I’d like to share that hope and inspiration with the children that I work with in Boston.

It’s amazing how strong a bond can develop in two short weeks. I hope to continue my relationship with those who work so tirelessly at Miguel Magone and support their continued efforts to provide hope of a better life for the niños in their care. I’d highly recommend a visit to this special place!

Diane W.