It Takes a Village – BU in Guatemala

Touching down at GUA airport, we were met with the welcoming arms of our program leaders. They introduced us to the culture and history of Guatemala and the many experiences we would undergo. At Guatemala City, we unexpectedly found ourselves in the heart of a religious procession filled with fireworks and music.

The following day, we made a small detour in our itinerary by traveling to Xela. We were welcomed by our homestay family with open arms. In Xela, we had multiple opportunities to explore the city on our own. Bookstores, food stands, markets, parks, the central square, cafes and restaurants were some of the many places we visited. During the night, we also had the opportunity to attend the National Election celebration in the city square and witness a groundbreaking event for Guatemala.

The following morning, we visited La Paz Spanish School where we had the chance to learn and practice our Spanish in the real world by buying fruits and vegetables from the local market. Interacting with individuals in the community allowed us to build confidence in our Spanish speaking skills.

The next day, we had the opportunity to relax and chill in a local hot spring. We were able to unwind in the natural waters and form deeper connects with the other members of our program. Later in the day, we visited EDELAC, a local school and orphanage, and played soccer and dance with the children, really allowing us to shake the early-program jitters out.

The following day, we travelled to Primeros Pasos and observed a infant nutrition class for the local community and had the chance to learn about their clinic and the social and health initiatives to provide quality and affordable care.

To round up our stay in Xela, we dined at Pollo Campero and let loose by singing karaoke and dancing at a disco. Our stay in Xela was a perfect introduction to Guatemala and really gave us a vivid insight on the country’s culture, politics, and healthcare. Xela, fue un placer ❤.

We arrived to Santa Anita with a warm welcome from our host families. The families cooked us delicious authentic Guatemala meals, taught us how to make our own tortillas, and also shared stories of their lives. It was very interesting to see firsthand the way people in Guatemala live.

Santa Anita had such an inviting atmosphere with a big emphasis on community, family, culture, and history. Our time there was filled with chickens, ducks, cats, turkeys, dogs, and more. Let’s not forget the mosquitos. The rural environment was a nice change of pace from our other locations. We really had time to connect with one another and appreciate the nature around us. Cooling off from the Santa Anita heat in a gorgeous waterfall, with all our friends, was so much fun.

On our first day, we taught a first aid class to the local school, which gave us an opportunity to put what we have learned at university in practice. We also got to learn all about the process of creating coffee from the soil to the final product. We also had the opportunity to learn more about the history of Guatemala and the Santa Anita community. Learning from those who experienced the history firsthand was such a privileged experience.

Additionally, we got to meet with local midwives who shared all about their practices and experiences. They walked us through all the different ways plants can be used medicinally, along with energy cleansing techniques and birthing practices. This was such a unique opportunity that we all very much enjoyed.

Overall we are so grateful for our time at Santa Anita and for all that we learned. We will miss being woken up by roosters at 5am!

As we traveled down the steep mountain towards San Juan La Laguna, we were first greeted by the beautiful view of Lake Atitlán. At The Hub, situated right at the entrance of San Juan and beside the lake, we got to rest and enjoy eating Pepián de Pollo, a delicious traditional Guatemalan dish.

In San Juan, we met a nurse that runs a clinic at a Coffee Cooperative and had the opportunity to view healthcare in Guatemala in-action. We were then treated to a delicious lunch at Alma De Colores, an incredible organization that provides job opportunities for people with disabilities. They sold us beautiful braided bracelets and earrings that we will cherish to remind us of our time at this beautiful lakeside town.

At Centro Maya, we learned more about the challenges that people with disabilities face in Guatemala and the steps being taken to ensure their human rights. In the early morning, we hiked to get a gorgeous view of the lake and its surrounding mountains at sunrise. We met the Bomberos Voluntarios, a volunteer-led fire department that provides vital lifesaving emergency services. We learned about the challenges facing the company. However, the Bomberos continue to train and work hard to ensure that the families and town that they love are safe.

Lastly, we got to learn about traditional Mayan herbal medicine with a healer and spiritual guide. We got to do a mindfulness practice and learn about many native plants and their properties. Throughout our time at San Juan, we got to explore the richly painted streets and the vibrant festivities. We danced, sang, and ate delicious food at a terrace that overlooked the entire town and the lake.

San Juan La Laguna was an incredible last stop and we are grateful for all that we’ve learned!

Emile, Aiyanna, Gabby, Cailyn, Athalie, Michelle and Vincent