Sisters of Charity

Another thing I forgot to mention on the postings.....the day we visited Solola market, we wound up getting lost after leaving. We were trying to find the Sisters of Charity, affiliated with the Spokane Diocese. Leeza (spelling?) read about them from a Spokane newspaper, and thought our group should try to meet them.

I'm glad we did. We finally found them, and what wonderful Sisters they were. There are 3 nuns, from NY who have been down in Guatemala from 6 months to over 26 years. They receive a great deal of support from the Spokane Diocese.

They showed us the clinic they had set up for the local villages to use. Amazingly, they charge only 10 quetzales for a consultation visit. That's less than $1.50 USD! Most often, villagers are unable to pay this, and that's okay too. They also have someone come in to do dental work - and, they work with women on gender equality issues, domestic violence and women's rights.

Sadly, the sister who had found that location, and strived to develop a strong community base there, was murdered 5 years ago. It is believed it is because she worked with families whose disappeared family members were being discovered in mass graves. So, she counseled them; work with grief issues and such - and it was this kindness and social action that cost her her life.

Funding is difficult, and the work is plenty - but these sisters absolutely love what they are doing. It's an inspiration to see others give so selflessly of themselves.