Field Work - Willywood and Conrado

This is the first of a few posts that I plan on doing that will try to paint a picture of the communities that our projects at Semilla Nueva work with. First towns: Cornado and Willywood.

Conrado was the first place in Guatemala that I had the chance to speak in Spanish in front of a large group and the first place that I joined Darren (my boss) when he made a presentation about our technologies. It's rather small, just like all 'campo' towns, and has only one comedor (place that serves prepared food), which is often closed. However, despite its tiny size, it has a huge heart, full of citizens who are very organized and dedicated to creating long term change. It is a town full of children, always interested in our work and quickly willing to lend a hand.

Just a short drive from Conrado is Willywood. They are always visted during the same trip and are very similar in many ways and very different in many ways as well. No, Willywood is not a normal Guatemalan name. I couldn't honestly tell you where it came from. But Willywood is also not a typical Guatemalan town either. Located in the lower Western coast, it is more like an Western Highlands town when it comes to traditions, language, and culture. This is because Willywood was created by the Guatemalan government for families that were displaced during the civil war that only ended 15 years ago. The group we work with in Willywood is much less organized than Conrado's but they have just as much drive to be successful and leave a lasting change for their families. While I hate the weather on the coast, especially Willywood, I love the families and the people we meet and it only gets more enjoyable as my Spanish increases and I can converse more easily.