Kids and Guat

For the past weeks, I´ve been volunteering at an after school program. The organization dedicates their time and energy to ensure that children 4 - 14 have a place to go, when their parents are at work (School closes at 1:30 in Guatemala). Of the house holds, 60% are run by single mothers and of the 40% that have fathers, 60 - 70 % are alcoholics. The kids are quite appreciative of the attention, and the volunteering is quite rewarding.

Two days ago, I helped a friend of my haul wood from one place, to another (it was about a 2 hour drive from either direction). In Guatemala, the transportation of wood is illegal. And, unless you receive prior permission from the tree administration, or something like that, you can get yourself in a lot of trouble. Though our wood was legal, the way we were transporting it, wasn`t (we never received the appropriate permissions).... and, of course, we were stopped by the cops. Who, gave my friend a really hard time. Threatened to make his life difficult, fine him, throw him in jail... etc. That was, until the cop finally said ¨but of course, this can all be avoided, as long as you´re willing to help me...¨. One hundred Quetzal bribe later, and we were sent on our way. The cop, being such a helpful guy, even radioed ahead and told other cops to leave us alone.