Yesterday, the delegates went on an amazing race that is a tradition for every GRO delegation. This amazing race is different from the ones we have in the past. How? The Guatemala Delegates joined as well by paring up with the USA delegates. Sofia and I identified six different locations in Antigua and we created clues for them to figure out in each of the location. One of the questions was to find out three things that they learned from each other through a lunch date. The other question was to go to the local market and negotiate a Guatemala scarf for 15 Q or less (about 2 dollars or less). The rest of the questions were about the history of those historical churches and convents. They also had to take pictures in each of the location and be creative with it. We have told them that whoever finishes first and got all the answers right; they will be rewarded with a free gift.
While the delegates were on their amazing race, Sofia and I went to the local market to take a look at the Mayans and try some of their fruits. On the way to the market, Sofia and I took the "tuk-tuk" which is the main transportation in India. There are popular in Antigua. Since all of the roads in Antigua are built with stones, we surely had a bumpy ride! Once we got to the market, I immediately spotted fresh mangoes. I told Sofia that I must have mangoes. It been a while since I had them. The mangoes were delicious! Only 1Q,, which is about 10 cents. As we were walking down the market, there were so many types of fruits! All cut and decorated! You name any fruit and they would have it! To name a few, banana, mangoes, watermelon raspberries, blackberries, and papaya. Sofia and I negotiated some of the souvenirs that we bought. It was much easier having a person who can speak fluent in Spanish where they are more likely to give a great price. We did check out the Guatemala scarf to see how much would it cost. We got it for 10Q so we are wondering how much the delegates would get it for.
Around 2pm, we went to the center to meet the delegates. To our surprise, all of them were already there waiting for us. They wanted to beat the other groups and didn't have lunch as well. So, they gave us the cameras and the answers to their questions. We told them to go and have lunch! Sofia and I had lunch at a nice café called, L'Epresso. We were looking through the pictures and the answers. The pictures were very creative! We were proud of them. One group didn't do the questionnaires or took pictures because they lost the paper. They think that it was pick-pocketed. AS for the camera, the memory card was full. The other two groups did great and both of them shared their experience of how they got the answers and what have they learned from each other. We all learned that one of the Guatemala delegates is a Flamingo dancer. The other two is a pastor of a missionary for the deaf. Their bios and pictures will be up soon. They both got answers from the police or through a local person. Some of the answers were wrong according to my source where I got the answers from the map. Each group had a map with them and the answers were all in there. They didn't realize it. It was a good challenge for them to figure out the answers by asking people rather than just writing them down from the map. Overall, they had a great time. They enjoyed it very much.
After sharing their experiences through the Amazing Race, we all took creative pictures as a group with our Guatemala scarves. Then we headed back to the hotel to meet a presenter who did share her experience as an interpreter in Guatemala. Her name is Rebecca. She brought two of her friends who are from Washington DC to join her presentation. Each of the delegates gave a brief background of where they are from and how they became deaf. It was fascinating to watch their signs and expressions. Rebecca shared her story about how she ended up being in a deaf school when she was a child and later decided wanted to become an interpreter because she really enjoyed being with the deaf people and feeling more comfortable using Guatemala Sign Language than speaking. She married a deaf guy name, Fausto and he used to go to Gallaudet for a while. He worked at a security office where he manages a group of security guards. Fausto and Rebecca were the one who been working hard finding Guatemala Delegates for GRO. They have met lots of families who have a deaf child and encourage their deaf child to join the program. Parents were being stubborn about sending their deaf person to the program. The deaf child has already become an adult and yet parents are not ready to let them go. We hope that the four Guatemala Delegates that have joined the program will be role models to go and meet the families and expose them about deaf awareness and what they plan to do to improve the lifestyle as a deaf individual.
After the presentation, we all were chatting with each other and yet not ready to move to go for dinner. The weather was cooold and yet they were willing to stand and chat. Finally we moved out of the hotel and went out for dinner. We went to Café' Sky. The environment of the restaurant was unique. They served all types of food. They even had kabobs. We all enjoyed our dinner. The food was very good. We all shared our highs and lows. Many of them mentioned that their highs were the Amazing race. They all are looking forward to more adventures throughout the week.
Once we got to the hotel, they had another activity that they need to do. One group would define each letter of the word; "DEAF RIGHTS" and the other group would come up with an animal and identify the characteristics of being a role model. The animal they chose was a Rhino. Pictures will be up soon so you can see what they have done. One thing I have noticed in this process was that they listed each word in Spanish and English on the paper. Amazing! Both groups shared to each other what they have written and how it applies to them.--
Alim Chandani
GRO Executive Director
www.globalreachout.org
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