Students Experience Guatemalan Life
A. Reding
December 14, 2016
At the crack of dawn, on November 22nd, fourteen students and two brave teachers embarked on a journey of a lifetime. No one quite knew what was in store, but they all knew that, in some small way, it could change their life.
After spending three hours in two different airports, five hours on two different planes, then three more hours on a bus, the group of sixteen finally arrived at The Friends of San Lucas Mission, in the beautiful city of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. One thing that makes CDH unique is the fact that trips like the Guatemala trip are not called Service Trips, but rather Justice Education Trips. The students, as well as faculty members, are doing more than just service; they are learning about the culture in which they are visiting. They are working with the local people side by side, not as experts, but as learners. Junior Michael Burke says, "We not only learned a lot about the Guatemalan culture, but we also learned a variety of practical skills such as how to mix large quantities of cement by hand and how to put up walls of a house." In addition to mixing cement and putting up walls, smaller groups assisted in sifting dirt for the cement, moving sand and rocks for new houses to be built, helping build safe and efficient brick stoves and working in the coffee plant sorting out coffee beans.
When the students weren't working, they were immersed in the culture. The Day in the Life class at the mission's Women's Center was where they learned how to make straight tortillas, wash clothes by hand in a pilla, carry clothes on their head in a basket and even how to carry 100 lbs of wood on their back. They also had the opportunity to listen to the life experience of an older Mayan man who once lived on a finca as a worker, which is about the equivalent to working on a plantation as a salve. "I think that the hardest challenge to overcome was the language barrier," Senior Olivia Kaus said, "but by the end of the trip we had no problem talking to the locals and asking questions. Even if we made fools of ourselves, I still feel like they appreciated us trying."
"You also can't assume that you are the only one that speaks English," Senior Jess Rooney chimed in. Many of the shop owners speak a little English in order to help them with sales to English speaking buyers. This was something that caught some by surprise. In addition to the four work days, the group was also able to go on a mountain hike, as well as on a boat ride to two neighboring communities, San Antonio and Santiago. Senior Maddy Weegman explained, "Being able to explore outside San Lucas was really cool. We were able to see the way in which different communities operate and make a living."
Another really amazing moment was on Thursday, November 24th, Thanksgiving. Even though Thanksgiving is not a holiday that is recognized in Guatemala, the mission kitchen staff still cooked a full on meal, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and fresh fruit. "For them to make us all of that food, when many people barely have enough to eat, was eye opening" Senior Amanda Reding said. "That meal made me realize all that I have and how grateful I truly am," Senior John Kocourek added.
Eventually, however, all good things must come to an end, and on Tuesday, November 29th, they all had to say goodbye to the beautiful country. While they all left with memories of the work that they did and the adventures they had, they also left with something greater. They left with a better understanding of a culture that is different than their own. Because of this experience, it is safe to say that this group of sixteen will have a special bond that lasts a lifetime, and that they would all go back tomorrow if they could.