One year, One bike, One dream: 160 Square Feet of Fun and Opportunity....

Dec. 15, 2009

Tired and burnt from the prior days work, we woke up with hopes of completing the Bouldering Wall. Unfortunately the wind had left us in a calm of sweltering sun rays, and an ever so slight stench that would periodically make its way over the bordering walls. It's quite wild to look around at the wall's that encompass this Guarderia (Grade School), double rows of razor wire, leaving one to wonder what we have done to make the outside world create such a prison assimilated atmosphere for our children to grow up in and develop.

We were making great progress on the wall by the time we decided to escape from the sun for awhile and reenergize. All the plywood sheets were up and we had started adding the holds. It was during lunch that an amazing experience presented itself. The family of which my parents have sponsored their daughter showed up to see us. I looked out the door to see two little kids running towards us with arms open and smiles that seemed to extend past the cheeks on their face.

Katy, Jeffrey, Sixta, and Padre (who's name I was unable to remember) all showed up to meet our family together for the first time. Katy, a seven year old sweetheart greeted us with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. The family was really excited to see what we were working on and we quickly made our way to the new object looming out toward the back of the enclose property. The fact that this family made the time to see us was amazing in itself, a day away from the garbage dump for the dad could cost them some much needed quetzales. It was amazing to see how they responded to the Bouldering Wall, as soon as they came around to the side with the climbing holds they were off the ground before we could even tell them what it was. A fascination gleamed from their eyes as they inspected all the colorful holds. Jeffrey, a very energetic outgoing little boy, soon realized the theory behind the wall and was putting up holds faster than I could keep track of. He would point out where he thought a hold would be good, then I would make a suggestion, leading to him assuring me that his idea was better, pretty awesome little eight year old considering all that he has already gone through in his short life.

We played with the kids until it was time for us to try and get back to work, which by that time we had soaked in our daily value of sun and were slowing down at an exponential rate. We decided to leave the rest of the work for day three. Allowing for more time to put up a protective covering system that will guard the wall from the 5 month long rainy season they have down here.

What a great day...

Dec. 16, 2009

We slept-in this wednesday in correspondence to the amount of work that remained on the Bouldering Wall. We thought that we would need about, well 2 hours or so in order to finish up the projects final touches. We were in Zone 3 by 1:40pm and still had to go buy some wood and locate a few gadgets here or there. We did not take into account of corse that nothing really happens in a timely fashion down here. By the time we were ready to start working we had about an hour before or ride out of the capital was supposed to leave....

Finishing only a few minutes after our pre-set departure time, we packed up our gear and headed to our transport. Only to find that we were the only ones at the vehicle. Everyone that had wanted to leave had moved to the climbing wall and were having a blast trying this activity for the first time in their lives. They originally had mentioned that the wall was too easy, you know, not tall enough, but then I showed them the routes, and that Bouldering focuses more on traversing as opposed to just going up. They then tried some of the taped routes that I had set, resulting in lots of laughter, and a few individuals rolling around the ground after failed attempts. This light atmosphere resulted in the complete disregard for time, and we were invited to play in a quick match of football (soccer). Playing four on four we struggled around the field in jeans and flip flops, sweating from the unaccustomed heat. Everyone smiling, laughing and just having a great time. Something that really struck me as amazing when I would look around at the poverty that surrounded me. But this light hearted 15 minute match of football is all that is needed to sometimes lift the spirits, life is all about balance. A balance of work, play, love, laughter, friends, family, faith, and so much more. Down here they seem to find a way to make things balance, something that will leave a lasting influence on my life, and something that everyone should strive to find, to find their own personal balance...

-I would like to thank my family for making this a possibility you are amazing and I love you.

Also an enormous thank you to Camino Seguro, and everyone who has ever donated their time to work with this wonderful organization. This organization is proof that an individual really can make a difference in the world, and help the lives of so many people who risked getting lost in the shadows.