Yet Some More Photos from Mrs. Wood's Camera

Some more of Mrs. Wood's Photos

Some of Mrs. Wood's Photos

Will you marry me

Today I was proposed to by a 17 year old Guatemalan Girl. We were building a stove in this family's house. This house was different because my future mother in law was making me buns as I flexed my muscles. The mother told me that I had a doll's eyes and that I should stay and marry her daughter. Mom and Dad, not to worry, I said no and I still intend to come home with the rest of the kids.
Chris 'doll's eyes' Thorogood




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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

Hola Mom's and Dad's

Today was productive! The majority of the groups were done in record time as we are finally getting into the flow of things. Although that isn't very useful because there is only one more day left of building stoves. The people here are very grateful and I know all of us here are learning and growing through this. When you meet us at the airport, you won't recognize us. That may be because we all got the farmers tan going on!
Despite the various illnesses targeting us Rundlites (jokes), we had a blast last night as we broke a piñata and had cake for the cooks sons third birthday party!!!







Adios,
Prinessa Janine


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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

Day 6 or 7 we lost track

Kayley's update...

Well we woke up and got some amazing Guatemalan coffee, it's so great! Surprisingly the bus arrived on time and we were off to the work site on the nice paved roads, jk. We arrived in the highlands and started to build our stoves.... Our Guatemalan Helpers are really starting to warm to us! At each of the houses we got to color and play with kids! The kids are the cutest kids in the world. Some of them are so amazed by digital photos that they won't stop asking to have their pictures taken!

The whip master, aka k. Mil aka
Kayley Miller signing out :)




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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

Few pics from another great day

Gabrielle about to build a stove...



Gabrielle finished a stove.



Mr. Rogers struggling with low doorways...




Ryan Sykes practicing the fine art of siesta...



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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

More pics from the day

Teachers still smiling...



Andrew enjoying our bus ride home.



Chris and Ali getting ready to work!


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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

Stove making day three

Today we went back to the same community as yesterday to continue making stoves. We made four stoves in total today and the most memorable was the third house. We met a girl with down syndrome called rosita. She took the stickers and stamps we gave her and put them all over the paper and our faces! Her family made us a really good lunch with guacamole, eggs, salsa and home made tortillas. It was a really long day, but every minute was worth it.















Sophia and Carolyn
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Location:Guatemala

Work Day 1

Today was an amazing day being able to help the Mayan citizens by building them stoves. Today my group Ms. Woods, Brittany and I ( Anya) built two stoves. The first one was for a grandmother who had barely anything in her home, so to be able to build
a stove for her felt so great. The second home we went to was really smokey and we were able to see and feel what it was like to be around all that smoke. This family had four kids and they were so happy to have us there, we gave them some toys and colored with them and they just had the biggest smiles on there faces. After building each stove the families were so grateful and thankful that we had come all this way to build them a stove. Tomorrow is another day and I'm looking forward to being able to help more people.

Anya


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Stoves- day two

We are all packed and about to leave to build stoves! Each team of 3 will complete 4 stoves today.


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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

A couple more photos

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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

The first day at uspantan

Today was the groups first day in Uspantan, and we covered a lot! To start, we went to a school and were presented with a history and various dances, followed by our stove construction tutorial. After a brief lunch, we got to work on our inaugural stoves, and after a few hours, we had completed our first of many. Soon after we took up a soccer game with the local children, and then started the long bus ride home.
Andrew Buckley







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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

Banquet and meeting the mayor

We just had a great meal here in Uspantan and were greeted by the Mayor! He gave us a great talk. All the students are excited to get started building stoves!







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Location:Uspantán,Guatemala

In Uspantan

Hello parents and followers...

We have arrived.  It`has been a full day, but we are happy to be in one location now for a few days!

More posts to follow shortly.

Thanks for following.

Market day

So ww just got back to the hotel in Chichicastenango after spending some time with team Rogers going through the city, we got lost at the begining but Rogers made up for it by buying us some fanta and cola, then we found the market that is more aimed at the locals so it was cool and felt more authentic. It was fun bargaining things to less then half of what thy originally say, and we bought some soccer balls and toys to give to the kids in Uspantan!




Having an amazing time in Guatamala, Gabrielle and Kayley


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Location:Chichicastenango,Guatemala

Day 3

Hola! It's day 3 of our trip! Yesterday we visited the factory where they make the parts for the stoves we are going to build. We met this woman there


who started a school for guatemalan children. She says some of the children don't have shoes or very much food. Today we are going to tour around Chichicastenango before traveling by bus to Uspantan, where we will be building stoves. Good times ahead!

- Jenn, Sophia & Ali


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Location:Chichicastenango,Guatemala

New food and new language

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Location:Chichicastenango,Guatemala

Ryan's reflections

So we have just arrived at the four star hotel at chichicastenango. So far my most memorable moment has been going to the stove factory. It was my favorite because of the hard work and dedication that the individuals at the factory put in to making stoves. The people make all the stoves from hand and no machinery is used. The director of the stove factory and his wife put every penny that they make into making the poorest people in Guatemala a stove that eliminates all the health problems such as respiratory diseases. It is only the second day and everyone on the trip is having a blast and we are all looking forward to building the stoves in Uspantan. By Ryan Sykes


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Location:Chichicastenango,Guatemala

Photos...

Oven factory!



Small market



Group photo at lunch


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Location:Chichicastenango,Guatemala

In ChiChi

Our hotel!!

We are all safe and healthy! Having a great time.



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Location:Guatemala

Goodbye snow!

We are happy to be in the plane and ready to fly! Taryn


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Location:Airport Rd NE,Calgary,Canada

Taryn part two

Liftoff!



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About to board!

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Location:Airport Rd NE,Calgary,Canada

Airport

It's 4am & we are all accounted for!!

Location:Airport Rd NE,Calgary,Canada

Only 12 hours away.....

Just a couple of reminders...

- bring your passport!
- bring a journal!
- bring your sense of adventure
- bring a healthy dose of 'wanting to help out!'

We will see you at 4:30 AM (that's not a typo) at the airport.  Wear your Guatemala t-shirts!

Less than one week away

Wow - it's hard to believe how quickly this trip is coming up!

Last night's meeting with Mr. Schneider and Jan really made the trip feel real!  We are just days from taking off.

Remember:
- we need to be at the airport at 4:30 AM, yes, that's AM (ugh) on Thursday morning
- make sure you have your Canada Shirt, your Hearts and Hands Shirt and your Rundle Trip shirts packed
- be sure to be checking the packing list, then double checking it, then triple checking it
- don't forget your passport... you can get onto the plane missing almost anything else - but without your passport you are not going anywhere
- get lots of rest in the coming days - we are in for a great adventure and you will want to be rested and healthy when we leave

Trip Details!

TRAVEL TIMES & KEY DATES

DEPARTURE  - March 24

*please be at the Airport @ 5:00am (Meet 2^nd level American Airlines)

Flight 1166      Calgary – Dallas

                                    Depart 7:00am

                                    Arrive 11:55am

Flight 2195      Dallas – Guatemala City

                                    Depart 5:05pm

                                    Arrive 7:15pm

ARRIVAL HOME – April 8

Flight 2162      Guatemala City – Dallas

                                    Depart 8:20am

                                    Arrive 12:50pm

Flight 641        Dallas – Calgary

                                    Depart 7:25 pm

                                    Arrive 10:10 pm

To check on flight status,  please check online:

            http://www.calgaryairport.com/

            http://www.aa.com/travelInformation/gatesTimesAccess.do

**PLEASE BE ON TIME TO DROP OFF & PICK UP

LUGGAGE

·         1 Suitcase

o   50 lb limit

o   62 inches/157cm total dimension

·         1 backpack

·         1 personal item

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Passport

Bank Card(must have 4 digit pin)

American Money(for meals on both travelling days through Dallas)

Quetzales

MONEY

Quetzales

·         Small amount to take  for first week (suggested equivalent of $25)

·         Students will need money for the following:

o   3 lunches

o   4 suppers

o   volcano hike/coffee plantation tour

o   personal spending money/shopping

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Mary Baird’s Blackberry                     403 – 701 - 6776

*please leave a voice mail(I will check it 3-4 times daily) OR send an email which I will  also check baird@rundle.ab.ca

Jan Townsend                                      011 – 502 -  5369 - 5250

Rebecca                                              011 – 502 – 4013 - 8409

Jason Rogers                                       011  - 403 – 891 - 1330

**Please also see hotel numbers listed on the itinerary

***I will send periodic emails to keep you posted on our travels

****Mr. Rogers will be posting updates to the Rundle Guatemala Blog throughout the course of the trip so please check it out at http://rundlecollegeinguatemala.blogspot.com/

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Our travel Insurance provider is : Travel Guard Canada

Policy # ‘s : 1154745 & 1154747

Phone number: 1-866-878-0191

PACKING LIST

Clothes Sleep wear Fleece Raincoat/poncho Guatemala T-shirt Canada T-shirt H& H T-shirts Swim suit Capris & pants(girls) Pants & long shorts(boys) T-shirts(all must have sleeves) Sturdy shoes Sandals Flip flops(shower) Hat Work gloves

Other Items Umbrella(optional) Travel pillow Money belt(around neck) Ear plugs Flashlight Headlight/lamp Alarm clock 2 water bottles j-cloths travel bath towel(optional) liquid detergent(to hand wash items) cards small travel games camera GUATEMALA BINDER

Personal Items Hand wash antiseptic(4 small bottles) Soap Shampoo Insect repellent(28%Deet) Suntan lotion Kleenex(pocket size) Handiwipes Immodium Gastroloyte Prescription meds Other items of personal nature

**Please show respect for the Guatemalan and Mayan cultures by dressing modestly.

            Shirts (boys & girls) – all must have sleeves

            Shorts (boys & girls) – NO SHORT SHORTS!

- Any shorts  worn must be just above the knee

                        *Girls are advised to wear capris/pants

            **All students must wear long pants during the work week building stoves

WORK TEAMS

Team 1                                                                      Team 2

Andrew Buckley                                                        Aaron Potter

Stefanie Johansson                                                   Kayley Miller

Christina Welch                                                         Janine Jomaa

                                                                       

Team 3                                                                      Team 4

Chris Thorogood                                                      Collin Levesque

Jennifer Cozzi                                                                        Evelyn Anderson

Mary Baird                                                                 Ally MacDougall

Team 5                                                                      Team 6

Connor Hill                                                                Ryan Sykes

Hannah Cawsey                                                         Ali Droppo

Taryn Knorren                                                             Gabby Hashman

                                                                                    Annabel Williams

Team 7                                                                      Team 8

Brittney Shewchuk                                                    Jason Rogers

Anya Curtis                                                                Sophia Kuhn

Sam Woods                                                                Carolyn Dunk

ROOMING LISTS

Andrew Buckley                                                          Ally MacDougall

Aaron Potter                                                              Carolyn Dunk

Evelyn Anderson                                                       Janine Jomaa

Taryn Knorren                                                             Brittney Shewchuk

Christina Welch                                                          Sophia Kuhn

Hannah Cawsey                                                          Jennifer Cozzi

                                                                                    Ali Droppo

Stefanie Johansson                                                   Gabrielle Hashman

Anya Curtis                                                                Kayley Miller

In Uspantan

Collin Levesque                                                           Chris Thorogood

Ryan Sykes                                                                 Connor Hill

Remainder of trip-travelling

Collin Levesque                                                           Ryan Sykes

Chris Thorogood                                                      Connor Hill

TRIP ETHOS

Through our participation in this tour we will treat the country, its resources, and its people with respect.  We will strive to make each activity enjoyable and educational, returning to Canada enriched by our experiences.

EXPECTATIONS

A.    Personal Behavior

1.   Adhere to the Rundle College Code Of Conduct at all times.

2.   Maintain a positive attitude throughout the trip

3.   Put the needs of the group ahead of your own.

4.   Members of the opposite gender are not permitted in hotel rooms.

5.   Adhere to luggage guidelines/restrictions and airport security guidelines.

B.         Group Behavior/Dynamics

1.  Be punctual at all times.

2.  Be respectful to your teachers, Hearts & Hands personal, local guides & interpreters, the staff at the hotels, and families we work with.

3.  Public displays of affection are not permitted.

4.  Be respectful to the environment.

5.  Be positive, supportive and inclusive towards all members of the group.

6.  Respect each other’s property and personal space.

7.  Be sensitive in terms of your appearance, behaviour and language.

C.         Safety Guidelines

1.   Strictly adhere to the approved itinerary.

2.   Act in such a way as to keep yourself and all members of the group safe at all times.

3.   Never leave the group or designated location.

4.   Never go anywhere alone!  Always be accompanied by at least one adult.

5.   Alcohol, recreational drugs, firearms, knives or any form of weapon are prohibited. Consequences in this regard are extreme.

6.   Take all necessary precautions against allergic reactions, sunburn, dehydration, bug bites, food-borne illness and do not drink non-purified water.

D.         Electronic Devices

1.  Electronic devices will be permitted

2.  iPod speakers, laptops, and portable DVD players are prohibited.

It is a privilege and an honour to represent Rundle College/Academy on the Hearts & Hands Tour to  Guatemala and we are pleased to have you involved.  Please keep your behaviour respectful and above reproach at all times.

Hearts and Hands

For those parents & other family members who want more information on Hearts and Hands...

Feel free to visit them at: http://www.heartshands.ca/

Two Weeks Away?!?

It's hard to believe we are only two weeks from taking off.

Next Thursday (March 17th) is our last group meeting with Jan from Hearts and Hands!

Be sure to bring your last minute questions.