“IT’S 2001!!!”

I’m not sure about each of you, but I still cannot believe that the summer has come to an end. It seems like just yesterday we were at the airport frantically searching for a (thought-to-be) missing student, AKA mystery man Callum. You guys were our second group of the summer and we could not have ever wished for anything better.

Over the course of our ten days together I came to know and love each and every one of you. Together we faced many challenges and also many incredibly beautiful moments. From the views at the Citadel and the school/clinic on the hill to discussing effective development and the negative implications of hand-outs, Mark, Isabella, Emily, Jacques, and I had the privilege of watching each of you grow so much in a short period of time. Your group had a unique drive, beyond that of most, to understand not just what you were seeing but why what you were seeing existed. You each brought a level empathy and maturity to the table that makes me more confident in our world’s tomorrow. I remember one night – after lights out – I heard one room talking pretty loudly to one another, so I got out of bed to tell everyone to be quiet. As got closer to the room, I realized that you all were talking about the 7 elements of human security and repercussions of poverty tourism… These are the moments I love. These are the moments that make me feel like the luckiest person in world for having the job that I do. For me, your trip was filled with moments like this.

Whether it be your work in Blue Hills or your ability to navigate cultural and language barriers at the clinic, your group accomplished so much in just ten days. However, I feel as though your biggest accomplishment, was realizing that there is more to be accomplished and how you can play a role as an agent of change. I do not have words for how proud I am of each of you and how excited I am to see where the future takes you. Looking back on your trip, there are countless moments that make my heart feel so full.

Though I wish I could go over each one, here are a few that I will always cherish:
-Realizing that mystery man, Callum, stayed home and did not come on the trip

-Talking with you all as you processed difficult moments at the citadel

-Expecting everyone to hate the hard labor of cement work and then being surprised when you were all practically fighting over who could do it next

-Jazz in the pharmacy

-Enjoying the view from the Satama School clinic on the hill

-Watching each of you 100% commit to the Groot Farma debate

-Seeing your attentiveness during the Blue Hills community meeting

-Watching you all continue to persevere through heat rashes and stomach problems

-Jacques’ ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere

-The Blue Hills community dance off

-Taylor is the messiest and most unique human I have ever met

-Mentor groups <3

-Rose, bud, and thorn on the last night

I know that there are countless more memories that we could talk about, but I will save recounting those for when I see you each in Haiti (or life) again one day.

Love,
Sarah Stubbs

 

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Wow. This is the only word that I can think of to properly begin this letter. It is so unbelievable to me that the summer has already come to end. It seems like just yesterday that Mark and I were picking up each of you – confused faces and all – from the airport. You guys were our first group of the summer and we absolutely could not have asked for a better group of humans.

Whether or not you knew it, your group – you eleven, empowered and motivated young women who I am so proud to know – played a pivotal role in not only determining how our service projects went this summer, but also in setting a precedent for operations of GLA and 7 Elements as a whole in Haiti. On top of being our first group of the summer, you girls were the first group of high school students to ever embark on a GLA and 7 Elements trip to Haiti. You eleven were our pioneers.

From heat rashes to constipation to diarrhea to culture shock to language barriers to homesickness, there were many challenges along the way. Some of these challenges played out in laughter, such as Annie R’s confusion with the pastor’s toilet in Limonade. While other challenges, such as learning to say no to individual requests for handouts of food and water to children, played out in long discussion and painful reflections. However, regardless of the challenge, you all met each of them in stride. Alongside every moment of frustration or confusion, Mark and I had the privilege of seeing your “Aha” moments – the moments of clarity and purpose where you realize the complexities of the world, where you better understand humanity, and, most importantly, where you see yourself in a clearer lens than ever before.

Everyday, we pushed you all physically, mentally, and emotionally. Before you all arrived, we estimated the amount of work that your group would get done in the vocational school – our estimations were tripled. The two groups following yours had over double the attendees, but (and shhhh!, don’t tell the other groups I am saying this), neither of them came close to accomplishing the amount of work that your group did. That said, if we learned anything from the social justice presentation and discussions, it is to never underestimate the power of women on mission.

There are too many amazing memories for me to mention them all, but here are some that I will always cherish… some are serious, some are silly, and some are simple, but they are each pretty darn special to me:

-Watching you all process your day at the citadel – both the beauty and history of the site, as well as learning about effective development the negative effects of handing out money
-Seeing you all work alongside and bond with the masons at the vocational school
-Listening to you all discuss HIV/AIDS stigma after visiting the local hospital
-Looking at everyone face DROP at the supposed-to-be “pickup” soccer game when we saw the team of Haitian – not girls, but WOMEN – come around the corner in full uniforms and cleats
-Dance party at the lodge with Betsy as a special guest
-Discussions on racial issues following the documentary, An Island Divided
-Seeing you all challenge yourself to be culturally competent and mature beyond your years during our clinic days
-The Pooper Scooper incident (you all know what I am talking about)
-Talking about social justice issues both abroad and at home
-Riding to Bookayne in the motor tricycles
-Dance party at Bookanye Restaurant
-Watching the sunset over the zinc roof at the lodge

Your group was one of the deciding factors in why I chose accept a full time position living and working in Haiti for the next few years – you guys helped remind me of my purpose. I would go on and on about more memories I have from your trip, but I will save talking about those for when I see each of you again in Haiti one day.

Until we meet again,
Sarah Stubbs

 

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We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Guatemala trip ended! It seems like
yesterday that we were playing with our new young Guatemalan friends, taking them for piggy back
rides, playing soccer, teaching them simple English phrases and numbers, and painting lively murals
and giving classrooms a much-needed cleaning throughout the school. You’re probably back in
school (or starting college!) but we wanted you to know that those of us that worked alongside you in
Guatemala are still thinking of you and the impact we made this summer together.

Our time spent together in Guatemala truly did make an impact. You should all know you left
Guatemala a better place than when you came. The elementary school in Pacaja will continue to be
a place of education and community for the children you met during our first days here. The colorful
murals you created will remain long after our time there is just a memory, allowing teachers to use
the maps to bring lessons to life and help students imagine a wider world. More importantly, we hope
the personal connections at the school, the exposure and appreciation of indigenous Mayan
customs, religious practices and craftsmanship, as well as the causes and effects of the Guatemalan
civil war, will serve you and the communities you become a part of in your life! We are all more
aware and empathetic of the complexities of Guatemalan politics and their economic impacts on the
citizens.

Another thing we can’t forget is how much fun we had together in Guatemala! You were a huge part
of making this trip so much fun by bonding as a group. We experienced Guatemalan culture by
dancing the salsa, learning how coffee and chocolate are grown, harvested and produced for
consumption, not to mention the tastings! Visiting local artisan workshops and bargaining at markets
of colorful gave us a surge of adrenaline when we felt we’d gotten the best price and an appreciation
of the workmanship involved in the souvenirs we brought home. We also explored Xela, San Andres
Xecul, Lake Atitlan, Lake Chicabal, Chichicastenango, the hot springs, and views from the road of
the beautiful Guatemalan highlands. The exhilaration of the zip line canopy tour and our dance party
with a group of unforgettable friends will forever be etched into our hearts!

We all worked really hard and had a blast together. Whether it was chatting together at night, joking
with our community members, singing songs on the bus, or exploring new places together- it was
that much fun because we got to share it with all you — the 2018 GLA Guatemala group! Thanks for
helping to make these special memories in an amazing place.

Some special moments from our trip:
-Our service projects and learning (sometimes the hard way!) some good techniques for teaching
-English in classrooms.
-Lots of laughs and awkward moments while doing our best to learn how to dance the salsa.
-The scavenger hunt through the cemetery in Xela and writing the names of our “beloveds” on
-Vanushka’s legendary grave followed by a tasty café treat.
-Dipping into the deliciously hot springs surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
-The chocolate fondue tower with fresh fruit pieces and delicious hot chocolate at the chocolate
factory in Xela.
-Learning about Mayan wedding ceremonies and watching Conley and Trevor get married followed
by making our own tortillas outside of Antigua.
-Zipping across beautiful Lake Atitlan in the speed boats surrounded by volcanoes.
-Driving hard bargains for our souvenir purchases in Chichicastenango.
-Summoning our Mayan Nahual spirits with the Mayan shaman at Lake Chicabal while watching the
clouds roll in over the lake after our challenging hike.

May your Nahual continue to watch over you and keep the spirit of Guatemala in your heart!

Saludos,
Patrick and the Guatemala Team

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Guatemala trip ended! It seems like
yesterday that we were playing with our new young Guatemalan friends, taking them for piggy back
rides, playing soccer, teaching them simple English phrases and numbers, and painting lively murals
and maps throughout the school. You’re probably back in school (or starting college!) but we wanted
you to know that those of us that worked alongside you in Guatemala are still thinking of you and the
impact we made this summer together.

Our time spent together in Guatemala truly did make an impact. You should all know you left
Guatemala a better place than when you came. The elementary school in Pacaja will continue to be
a place of education and community for the children you met during our first days here.  The colorful
murals and maps you created will remain long after our time there is just a memory, allowing
teachers to use the maps to bring lessons to life and help students imagine a wider world. More
importantly, we hope the personal connections at the school, the exposure and appreciation of
indigenous Mayan customs, religious practices and craftsmanship, as well as the causes and effects
of the Guatemalan civil war, will serve you and the communities you become a part of in your life!
We are all more aware and empathetic of the complexities of Guatemalan politics and their
economic impacts on the citizens.

Another thing we can’t forget is how much fun we had together in Guatemala! You were a huge part
of making this trip so much fun by bonding as a group.  We experienced Guatemalan culture by
dancing the salsa, learning how coffee and chocolate are grown, harvested and produced for
consumption, not to mention the tastings! Visiting local artisan workshops and bargaining at markets
of colorful gave us a surge of adrenaline when we felt we’d gotten the best price and an appreciation
of the workmanship involved in the souvenirs we brought home. We also explored Xela, San Andres
Xecul, Lake Atitlan, Lake Chicabal, Chichicastenango, the hot springs, and views from the road of
the beautiful Guatemalan highlands. The exhilaration of the zip line canopy tour and our dance party
with a group of unforgettable friends will forever be etched into our hearts!

We all worked really hard and had a blast together. Whether it was playing card games at night,
joking with our community members, singing songs on the bus, or exploring new places together- it
was that much fun because we got to share it with all you — the 2018 GLA Guatemala group!
Thanks for helping to make these special memories in an amazing place.

Some special moments from our trip:
-Our service project was amazing as we struggled through the map grid process to see the incredible
final results!
-Lots of laughs and awkward moments while doing our best to learn how to dance the salsa.
-The scavenger hunt through the cemetery in Xela and writing the names of our “beloveds” on
-Vanushka’s legendary grave followed by a tasty café treat.
-Dipping into the deliciously hot springs surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
-The chocolate fondue tower with fresh fruit pieces and delicious hot chocolate at the chocolate
factory in Xela.
-Learning about Mayan wedding ceremonies and watching Carol and Zeke get married followed by
making our own tortillas outside of Antigua.
-Zipping across beautiful Lake Atitlan in the speed boats surrounded by volcanoes.
-Driving hard bargains for our souvenir purchases in Chichicastenango.
-Summoning our Mayan Nahual spirits with the Mayan shaman at Lake Chicabal while watching the
clouds roll in over the lake after our challenging hike.

May your Nahual continue to watch over you and keep the spirit of Guatemala in your heart!

Saludos,
Patrick and the Guatemala Team

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Zoom Zoom!

Guat’s up yall?!

I believe enough time has past that the time has come for a trip down memory lane! For
starters, car bops of reggaeton, Disney, 90’s boy bands and everything in between, (not to
mention, the perfect harmonization of all of your lovely voices). Next, we move on to crazy
adventures down winding roads to hot springs, zip lines, Mayan villages, and huge markets! Of
course, we can not forget the beauty of Pana, the sunset over the lake, or the quaint little town
of San Juan. Last but certainly not least, the adorable children and the school that we beautified
together as a team. That’s how we worked as a team, laughing together, crying together,
playing together, and growing as leaders together.

So, where are you today? Are you looking up from your phone and taking in the world. I
hope you are diving deep into soul searching conversations and sharing your rich thoughts with
those around you. I hope you are still carrying the magic that we found in Guatemala.

Remembering the warm love we shared and putting it into your neighborhoods, schools,
families, and friends. Taking action in small ways like saying thank you and in huge ways like
being your true selves. Most of all, I hope that at this time you are still keeping in touch with
each other, using each other as a support system for advice and laughs. If ever in doubt of just
how amazing you are reach out for a quick reminder. The universe works in your favor; give to
the world what you´d like to receive in return.

Looking forward to your future, may you continue to nourish your curiosity for different
ways of living, seeing, understanding, and influencing the world around you. May your
passions, confidence, and relationships grow stronger. And may you continue to lead others
with integrity, compassion, vision, and unyielding commitment to social impact. You are bold,
creative, and capable and we hope you lead your life with purpose. Takle calculated risks often.
Sing and dance without restraint. And always balance your Chikis and Chokis with a nourishing
meal, perhaps some suero. Go fearlessly into your future. We will think of you often and
perhaps run into you again one day as future mentors in GLA.

Here is Nayo with a few words: ¨Estaba muy feliz en trabajar con su grupo. Hicimos algo
muy importante para la casa de niños. Todo va muy bien. Espero que los esten pasandolo bien.
Gracias por visitar mi país.¨

Much love from us all,
Eunice, Jordan, Tiffany, and Nayo

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.