I realized I have written so much lately about Roberto, our new resident, that I have neglected to mention much about Osmi and Fidel. I apologize, and aim to correct that.
 |
| Fidel with Miguel at his wedding |
Fidel will be finishing "tercero basico" or 9th grade this October. This is the equivalent of graduating high school here in Guatemala. While he was resistant to continuing his education when he came here, he is sure proud of himself now that he has accomplished this. He still wants to be a DJ, but is looking at other options for his future, too.
One of our desires is, after our move to San Pedro, to open a computer center targeted at the special needs population in the area. A neighboring village, actually only about six blocks from our house, has a school for students with special needs, and we hope to partner with them to open the center. Hope Haven Canada has already donated about ten computers which will be used in the center. While able bodied children will be welcomed, the center will be designed specifically for children with physical and cognitive limitations, and they will be the first to be invited to participate at no cost. Fidel will be in charge of this program, and I think he is looking forward to it.
Osmi is finishing sixth grade in primary school this year. He will continue on to basico (junior high) in January. We are hopeful that we will be able to locate a private school in San Pedro which will allow him to attend. If not, there are correspondence programs we can use. I am impressed that given his age (though he looks much younger) he is willing to attend a school with younger students, but believe the socialization will be good for him. I anticipate he will be a leader in the group if allowed to attend. He is still studying computers and English on the weekends, and I am looking at ways for him to continue to do this after we move.
Roberto has begun studying with Claudia, a teacher from Hermano Pedro, who comes to our house twice a week to tutor him. He seems to be enjoying the process, and I have to give him credit for his willingness to do work normally done by young children. It's part of the process, though, and there's no way to bypass the basics to move on to the more interesting topics. He is catching on very rapidly.
Roberto's father and brother-in-law visited him August 6. Unfortunately I was at school and they did not stay long, so I did not get to visit with them. They did bring his national identification card, however.
When he came, Roberto had said he was 18 years old, but did not know when his birthday was. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the ID card and discovered his birthday was the next day, August 7. He had never had a birthday party, and his choice was for us all to go to Pollo Campero for lunch to celebrate. Dick came along with us, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
It seemed incredible that, in his whole life, no one had ever bothered to celebrate his existence. He was neglected by his family long before his accident. Our staff reported that Roberto's father was pleasant, though somewhat gruff with him. Maybe it was a good thing I wasn't around to react. I am praying for compassion for this man who apparently has cared so little for his son, but it's hard.
 |
| Moises, left, visiting with Osmi at Hermano Pedro |
Moises, one of the young men at Hermano Pedro, turned 18 in July. His first act as a legal adult in Guatemala was to ask if he could come to live with us! I have known Moi for almost ten years now, and have longed for him to get old enough to be with us. We are in the process of transitioning him from Hermano Pedro to our home, and the plan is for him to move in with us when we take up residence in the new house in October. This will allow him to finish out the year in his current school.
Please pray for Moi as he makes the transition, and for the other guys as they welcome one more brother into the family. I have realized with the arrival of Roberto, that each new personality that enters the home brings with it challenges as well as blessings. It is hard for young men, who never have lived in a family, to learn to function as one, but we are all making progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment