Students Experience Life in Guatemala

By: Alexa Savard '19
July 6, 2018

We started the summer off right! Mr. Kaus and Profe Heinz led a group of students on a justice education and service trip to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. The travel crew included rising seniors Jillian Heimerman, Devyn Johnson, Kate Burke, Kaitlin Wilhoit, Sam Martin, Liliana Silva, Grace Chaffin, Anna Muntifering, Alexa Savard, Louie Rottjakob, Max Rottjakob, Noah Peirson, and Sam Harris. These two teachers and group of students of the Class of 2019 embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever. In a span of less than two full weeks, bonds were formed and strengthened; projects were worked on, and lives were impacted.
    
Leading up to the trip, the group met and discussed general information about the background of San Lucas and the legacy of Father Greg Schaffer. Father Greg’s work with the community, especially his support of the women and Juan Ana coffee, is still seen today and continues to grow as more individuals help the mission. The Juan Ana coffee that is produced in San Lucas was sold by each student to help with the trade and lives of the workers. Although this preparation gave us a glimpse into the area, nothing could have prepared us for the beauty and exquisiteness that is San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala.  
    
The beauty and simplicity of the area cannot be fully illustrated through words alone. Being there and being present with whatever or whoever I encountered every day of the trip transformed my mindset for the better. Being able to smile at a complete stranger or to hold a little child’s hand is amazing. The smile you get in return is what melts your heart. The people are so grateful and joyful; their happiness is contagious and adds to the beauty of the area. From Hotel Ituitqui, we got a view over Lake Atitlán and the community. When you look around, you don’t see gigantic buildings or people rushing to get to work. You see magnificent mountains, volcanoes, and a community, acting as a family, which helps others even when they have other things to do themselves. It’s so refreshing and heartwarming to witness.
    
Every day offered new things to experience and memories to be made. We were given the opportunity to give back to the community and help with projects including building wood and block houses, constructing roads and rooms at a school, and transporting dirt and cement to different areas to be used later. Instead of doing these tasks how we would usually do them, we did them the way the locals do. We fully embraced the methods they use in their daily lives, including making tortillas, producing coffee, washing and carrying clothing, and celebrating their faith. We took as much as we could from every opportunity and we did everything with an open mind and the motivation to learn something new. The service benefited everyone involved! On the weekends, we went on various adventures that helped us experience more of our surroundings. The adventures included a boat ride across the lake, zip lining, and hiking up Cerro de Oro. There was never a dull moment!

Overall, this trip changed my life for the better. I went in, not knowing what to expect, and left with a grand love for a city I lived in temporarily. I left with closer bonds with my classmates and also the people I met, whether they were the local people or from a different service group.