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RAYNER BUSSEK

Let me tell you about my dear friend, Reiner Bussek. Twenty three years ago, when I had a dream to create a village in the middle of the jungle on the banks of Rio Dulce, Guatemala, there was someone who believed in me and that dream. That was Reiner. The young German sailor would follow me around, constantly curious, and questioning me about why I was building what I was, where I was. You see, the idea was seen at the time as crazy; too ambitious to be believed by those who heard our plans. They thought it would be impossible to make it a reality. But not Reiner, he knew that there was a need to build a safe haven for the high risk children of Guatemala. That the children who had been abused, rejected and had no hopes deserved a home where they would be loved, where they could go to school and play, and receive the medical attention that they needed. With his help, the dream has become a reality to hundreds of children over the years.

Inspired by his time on the river, Reiner went back to Hamburg with the stories and pictures of the children to share with his friends. After sharing his experiences, some of his friends decided that they too wanted to visit the children’s village. This group of seniors had all been Olympic medal winning athletes in their youth, so they knew the feeling and work involved in the pursuit of dreams and the conviction needed to make them realities. They went to work upon arrival, first, noticing that we were cooking with fire wood. They calculated, by counting the number of children and adults already living in the village while in its construction phase, the number of trees that would be cut down over the next ten years. Realizing how much oxygen that the rain forest would not be producing if we were to keep cutting down the trees, they funded in perpetuity, the cost of propane fuel needed for cooking and set up a reforestation area. Thanks to Reiner, the children of Casa Guatemala will always know and care for the rain forest they live in. We never know what part of our work will have an impact on our visitors.

Reiner loved the children so much. He loved to take them for little boat rides and showing them his cuckoo clock which they loved to see! He loved taking them all in to town for ice cream, just because. He was interested in every little detail of life at Casa Guatemala; the food and its preparation, the medical care and the futures of all of the children. He realized how hard life was for the local staff, and wasn’t worried only for the children of our village but also for the people of the Mayan villages nearby. His empathy made him wonder in amazement how it was possible for the people to survive in such primitive conditions and what he could do to help improve their plight.

Every year, Reiner Bussek has returned to Rio Dulce and every year he has brought with him more and more contributions to the growth of Casa Guatemala, both from his community and himself. But his contribution goes so much further than just financial support and gifts in kind. Reiner didn’t just raise the money to make a new well or build a new kinder-garden class, he was right there working with our staff to dig that well and hammering away to build that class. He has provided us light, by bringing solar panels; he has provided us with the fuel to cook our meals; and to help us create our chicken farm that provides so much of the food for our children.

While visiting, his red sailboat, “Mully”, would be anchored right in front of the orphanage so that he could watch with his binoculars as the children milled about in their daily routine. He didn’t want to miss a thing. In the mornings he would come and get his fresh eggs from the farm for his breakfast or maybe some of his favourite, juicy pork ribs. Sometimes he preferred to come in and eat with the children the rice, beans and tortillas just so he could see their smiling faces and feel the warmth of their love and gratitude. Something that filled him more than any meal ever could.

Reiner Bussek is part of the foundation that has made Casa Guatemala what it is today. He has been a strong column in the construction of this dream. The Children’s Village was a part of him just as much as he was a part of it. We all thank him so much for his love, his dedication and loyalty. His legacy will live on forever in our village and in our hearts.

Thank you Reiner, we hope that you took with you, on your final journey, our love, gratitude and the understanding that you did so much good on this earth.

Good bye Reiner Bussek. As we sang to you each time you left after your visit us at the river, we sing to you today: Se va se va la lancha, se va se va el pescador, y en esa lancha que cruza el mar, se va se va mi amor…
 

Angie


 
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