Monday, October 12, 2009

Moniquira celebration of the Dia Blanco (white day)

A downtown street in Moniquira, a city of 30,000 about 4 to 5 hours by car from Bogota, over rough, windy roads. We went there at the invitation of officials of the municipality and of the Fundapedis, a non-profit organization set up to try to meet the needs of disabled people in the city. The Church had donated substantially to the city and to the foundation, including wheel chairs, crutches, canes, and big bundles of blankets and clothes. In addition, a multi-stake single-adults conference included humanitarian work by 450 young people in the city, including painting, cleaning up, repairing, etc. A four hour ceremony was held on Saturday, including a catholic mass and performances by some of the disabled young people. This Saturday was Dia Blanco, a day for world-wide acknowledgement of the disabled and a celebration of their accomplishments. The Church's contributions were acknowledged and praised. We brought with us additional donations, two big bales of clothing and 1500 pairs of prescription glasses.

Royal and Edgar Gomez from the office who drove us up eating breakfast. The night before we had trout in this restaurant. Trout is suppose to be quite a delicacy in the department of Boyaca.

Edgar holding a very big cockroach. This is one of two I saw Saturday morning!!

We were pleased to see Elder and Hermana Chapman along with two missionaries sitting on the front row waiting for the program to begin. Elder Chapman proceeded to take the photos for us.

Royal and I standing among the various donations from the Church.



Royal visiting with one of the dignitaries present.

At the end of the lengthy program (about 4 hours) they served a rice dish that they cook inside the pig. I was brave and ate some and it was actually quite tasty.

This young man has downs syndrom and the young lady is deaf. They performed a darling dance. Instead of clapping, the audience waved their hands in appreciation.

They had several musical numbers performed by the gentleman in the hat. He was joined very enthusiastically by this downs syndrone young man.

We were enjoying the performance of the young deaf dancers.

The gentleman standing next to me was the recipient of a cane. His left foot is a stump and his right foot is almost completely turned around. He gets around pretty well and was so grateful for the cane.

These ladies (minus me) did a very energetic dance and seemed to have a good time doing so.

6 comments:

  1. What an amazing job!! I loved the pictures!! The cockroach was SO gross!!!!! I don't know what I would do if I saw a bug like that!!! That is really nasty!! Love you!! Kristy

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  2. AWESOME PIC'S I LOVE the PIC'S!!!!!!! It's very NICE of the people to give that stuff!!!!!!!!!!!! What Did you GIVE to the PEEP'S!!!!!!!

    ~Abby~

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  3. I like the picture of you and the native dancers. Very cute. You guys are doing a great job!

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  4. Wow - what an amazing experience!!! You guys look great - and I am so impressed that you ate the rice cooked inside of the pig. What a blessing you are to the people there. You are doing such great work. Love you and am soo proud of you. Julie

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  5. I was very moved at the description of the deaf and down syndrom dancers from Dad's letter. It is nice to see pictures of the event! You all look great (love the scarf, Mom).

    We love you!

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  6. I'm so sure about the cockroaches (Hilma)

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