It's Jennifer, reporting back from a quick trip to Guatemala. I am constantly scolding Kristin and Bob for neglecting to blog from Guatemala, yet here I am, guilty of the same thing! The short time I spent in Guatemala last week was jam packed with activities, meetings, visits, and decisions.
The most notable visit was to a town called Parramos, just 20 minutes north of Antigua. We spent two days visiting with the borrowers in their homes. I'd like to tell you about Lety, the mother of two grown children and successful businesswoman. Lety is about 4'10" and she weighs perhaps 80 pounds. Kristin and I joked with her after she complimented our "curves". We said she'd fit right into the "thin club" of the US. I suppose you always want what you haven't got!
After attending a group meeting on Wednesday, we decided to return to Parramos. We went straight to Maria Asuncion's restaurant, mostly because it's the location we could remember. Lety came riding up on her bicycle, in heels no less, in a huff because we were supposed to have met up at her house! Shame on us! Lety is the secretary of her loan group and one of the original members, having joined up about 5 years ago. She knows just about everything in the town of Parramos. She was responsible for taking us around town on visits. Lety grows and sells avocados. She goes to the market on Mondays and Fridays, so aside from picking and preparing meals for the family, she had some free time to spend with us.
Lety and I chatted about the day to day struggles that exist anywhere in the world. I remarked that I sometimes wished for a calmer, simpler life. Lety said that she looks at the president of Guatemala and he is always surrounded by an entourage, protecting him from the many people who wish to hurt him. She says to me: Look at me! Free as a bird! I can walk around here and do whatever I please! I was impressed with her positive outlook.
From left to right: (Top) Sandra & Lety, (Bottom) Sandra's daughter Jennifer & Jennifer. Sandra's daughter really got a kick out of meeting another Jennifer!
It was a real treat spending the morning in Parramos with Lety and I look forward to seeing her again! Stay tuned for Bob's recounting of our visit with Maria Asuncion!
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