GUATEMALA – From Feb. 4 to 11, Molly’s Team travelled to Guatemala and were greeted by 400 children who waited in anticipation for the events that were to come – keeping Molly’s big dream alive to help children and families in third world countries.
Efforts to fulfill her dream would not be possible without the guidance and support of the Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission out of Pickering, Ont. (Dr. Sam Martin), generous groups such as the Wingham Lion’s Club, the Formosa Swans, Sanity Hill Fabrics (Wales family) and community neighbours, Exceldor of Hanover (supplies turkeys for dinner events) and Joe Richards, who faithfully shaved off his locks of hair.
Molly’s Team consists of John and Barb Vance, Gary and Muriel MacDonald, Hali MacDonald (Winchester), Tim and Carol Matz (Port Elgin) and usually Donna Reed (Pinkerton), who couldn’t come this trip.
The team changed the lives of four families forever in the building of their home; they fed families living and eating at a dump; held a dinner for 18 very valuable grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren and gave them new bedding and cakes to take home. The team honored families who have seen loss – Steven Ottewell (Steven’s House) who fought a courageous battle with cancer at age 16, and Chris Burley, a 30-year police veteran from Cornwall, Ont. who also lost his life to cancer.
The other houses are in memory of the Spielmachers and Betty and John Hunt, grandparents, (Hanover and Carlsruhe) along with an aunt and uncle’s house (built by Andrew Hunt and our daughter Laura MacDonald). Their families gathered together and made sure that the families living in extreme poverty had tables and chairs, and beds to sleep in. The smiling faces on the kids who finally had a bed was something to see!
The Swans of Formosa proudly raised funds to build a house that will be named after them – “Formosa Swans.”
Another wonderful contributor is the Lion’s Club out of Wingham, who also raised funds that fittingly bought the furniture and outside stove in the Formosa Swans’ home.
We know that one-third of the world’s population of girls do not get the chance to learn how to read or receive an education. Molly’s Team has diligently worked over the past 15 years raising funds for school needs and learning materials, with the hope to make the world a more just place. If girls have the chance to become more visible in developing countries, they are the ones who can bring about social change – benefitting themselves, their families, communities, and entire societies.
The team was excited to help its social workers, who travel for miles to see their families and make sure things were OK in each family unit (needs, such as medical and physical) and food. The team was proud to see the massive vegetable growing projects launched at the Arms of Jesus School ground and we purchased a rototiller that would ease some of the physical work involved in planting.
There were many smiles when people received the smallest of needs such as new toothbrushes supplied by Maple’s Dental clinic (Dr. Roseborough) and Dr. Papaioannou (Walkerton Dental Centre). None of this would be possible without the support of our village – that is, all of you, for your encouragement, and love – we are so grateful and thank the Walkerton Herald for their time and encouragement in writing this story. Heartfelt thanks from Mollyann MacDonald’s team.
