Paddle Day 38: Rain, Rainbows and Islands

"Go towards the light."

It was a day of darkness and light, sun and rain, rainbows and manta rays.  At the end of the paddle was a long interview with a reporter from Vero Beach Magazine, with great questions about Safe Passage.

Thank you to all who helped me and Quick update

Dear Friend,

It was so good to meet you during the Kayak for Safe Passage Kids Expedition from Maine to Guatemala.  I am finally in Guatemala, and want to give you a quick update on the expedition.

In Guatemala!

A welcome from the Safe Passage children

I finally arrived in Guatemala!  There are so many stories to tell of the adventures onboard SV Polaris with Bernie Horn and the crew who all volunteered so much of their time for this trip, bringing me and school supplies down for Safe Passage.  And the welcome in Guatemala has been so moving.  On Monday I have a media day and Tuesday is the formal celebration.  Once I am back in the US, I will catch you up on all of the stories and photos.  

Now I am still trying to get rid of my "sea legs" that have persisted for way too many days!  Guatemala looks different when it is constantly swaying and rolling.  I keep thinking it it another earthquake.  I'm heading out to try to walk it off.  Don't want to have the drunken sailer walk on TV.  Not quite the right image for Safe Passage.

1,000 Mile, $1,000 Paddle Challenge for Safe Passage

Dr. Deb Walters was kayaking alone from Maine to Guatemala to help raise awareness and funds for the Safe Passage school for the children living in the huge Guatemala City garbage dump community.  After 10 months and over 1,500 miles, she had to stop for emergency spinal surgery.  She will be unable to kayak again for many months.  Now she and her rubber ducky mascot are continuing the speaking tour along the coast by car.  Local paddlers have volunteered to kayak and canoe to help her reach her fundraising goal help the children.

How can you help?

Grab a paddle and your favorite mascot (rubber ducky, garden gnome, whatever) and paddle your favorite waterway during March or April.  Have friends and family sponsor you with a tax deductible donation of at least a dollar for every mile you paddle. Use this website for donations: Safe Passage First Giving.

Not a paddler?

Sponsor someone who is or just make a donation towards this $1,000 challenge!

Paddle.  Photo.  Publish!

Donate by April 30th to be entered to win prizes donated by outfitters.  The paddlers or clubs that the collect the most funds will win.  Post a photo or your paddling trip on the Facebook timeline: Kayak For Safe Passage Kids   Please note where your photo was taken.

Deb, back when she could kayak!

SUCCESS! Money Raised for Third Grade. Starts in January!

Safe Passage student (photo by Debbie Grail)

I am so happy that the many people I have met along the way, and others who heard about my expedition to share the stories of the children of Safe Passage, have given generously.  The goal was to raise $150,000 to convert third grade in 2015 and fourth grade in 2016 from after school programs to full day school.  The supporters met the goal!   At the start of the school year in January,  the third graders will now attend the Safe Passage school!  Thank you!

Paddle Day 82: Dying Wooden Work Boats, Vultures, and Safe Passage

Wooden fishing boat gradually sinking into the ICW

The large number of vultures made it feel like the garbage dump in Guatemala City.  The large number of dying wooden workboats, fish houses and piers made me sad for an era slipping into the past.

Paddle Day 78: Relaxed paddle with new friends, Turtle Hospital and Rotary Christmas Party

Jean Beasley with a sea turtle made from plastic garbage. 

Sunny day with two kayakers joining me, little help from the current, and relaxed paddling.  Then a rest day with a visit to the Sea Turtle Hospital and a Rotary Christmas Party!

Paddle Day 64: Record Cold Snap, Paddling with Dead Cat who Snatched my Record & Safe Passage Host

Kayak at the West Landing Marina

It was great having a paddling companion during this cold snap!

Paddle Day 34: Wild, Wet and Wicked; and Great Inspiration from Safe Passage Mothers

Getting wet

Can't believe I had to be rescued by a shoreside angel.

The homes of the families in the garbage dump community

A street in the garbage dump community

The last post was about the tent that will be my home for the year while I kayak from Maine to Guatemala.  Thinking about that made me think about the homes of the families in the garbage dump community.

Life in the Garbage Dump - Before and After the Fire

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Before the 2005 fire, children in the dump (from Giramondo's blog post)

Recently there was yet another methane fire in the Guatemala City garbage dump.  Fortunately the fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was injured.  That was not the case for the for the fire in 2005.