10/12/2011
We are back from our trip to Guatemala!
So, it all came and went. Without a doubt, it was a life-changing experience for both of us.
We really didn't realize how much we would be affecting the lives of these people. Apparently, GVI has already built schools in two Mayan villages there, and they are teaching them Spanish and all other standard school subjects, such as science and math. These are kids that would otherwise never learn how to read/write/count in their lives. Usually, the Mayan kids there never even attend school. Instead, they help out in the fields as soon as they turn 6-7 years old. Around 95% of women in the villages are illiterate. So, GVI built these schools and started persuading the families to send their kids to school. The stoves that we went to build were ment to improv the health of the women and children who cook, increase their life expectancy by 15 years, and reduce their firewood costs dramatically; however, they also act as an incentive to keep their kids in school. If the kids have two years of good attendance, the family is added to the list of getting a new stove. Also, if the kids have two years of good attendance, they get scholarships for middle school and then university. So, everything is paid for them until they graduate from university, which is pretty amazing considering that these kids would have never even learned to write their names otherwise. All of these things are accomplished solely with the money raised by the volunteers. Additionally, GVI does additional fundraising on their own through "adventure challenges" and other events and all that money goes to feeding the elderly in the community year-round and to help the families in case they have a season of bad weather and lose their crops. Apparently the elderly are less of a priority and as soon as they stop producing, they get whatever food the kids and young people don't consume. So, basically they starve to death. GVI provides daily rations for about 600 elderly people in those two villages alone.
In short, all this made the experience simply amazing. The kids we got to meet at the school we visited were unbelievably affectionate and friendly, very respectful and well-behaved. We thought they would be somewhat timid and not talk to us that much (as their main language is native Kaqchikel and they speak little Spanish and definitely no English), but as soon as we spent just half an hour with them, they were all over us--giving us hugs and kisses, jumping on our laps and posing for photographs. And they were so grateful for the school and the stoves and the help they are getting. Even the five-year-olds really seemed to understand the significance of what was being done for them and the help and support they were getting. It was simply unbelievable to see five-year-olds to be aware of the rare opportunity they were getting for education and be grateful for it, when most of our kids take having 3 flat screen TV's and 2 iPhones as granted, not to dare mention basic human needs as clothing, shelter and education.
Being in a foreign country that has soooo much more character than the US, living with our Guatemalan host family rather than staying in a hotel, and then spending our days in the Mayan families' homes building the stoves...it all felt that we were actual participants in the daily lives and struggles of the indigenous Maya people. It still felt like we were foreigners but definitely not tourists and it was truly an honor to be able to take part in their way of life even if it was for only a brief period of time.
It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of our lives, if not the greatest. We can't wait to do it again. Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who supported us!!! With your help, we have changed the lives of four separate families forever!
PHOTOS ARE COMING SOON, STAY TOONED!
P.S. If any of you find this description even remotely appealing, I would definitely suggest that you look up GVI's programs and sign up for one. Don't think about obstacles and reasons not to do, such as your limited vacation days, not being able to leave work, about the money, and all that. The experience you will have will be worth soooooooo much more than all of that...
