This will be the fourth time I come to Guatemala with Hug it Forward. Every time I come it is a new and magical experience. That’s the thing about Guatemala and Central America; it is enchanting. What the news doesn’t tell you is that the people here will make you feel like one of their own, that the food is made with love, that the war made people resilient and that it doesn’t need saving. Hug it Forward has helped in the building of over 100 schools in a hundred communities and those community members just need some extra man/woman power to get those schools finished.

I truly believe in lending my hands to those who ask for help. My favorite aspect of my volunteering experiences with Hug It Forward is that they want to make sure they’re listening to community needs and not assuming they need aid.

Coming to Guatemala will teach you why people have migrated, how a civil war affected generations and why their culture is so beautiful. Being Central American myself, I have a deep personal connection to the history of the land and people. The first time I came on a trip I thought I was going to help others but I left completely in awe of how my life was changed by them. Come immerse yourself in bottle school building with Jess, Eric, Shelby and myself!”

Shelby Williams:

This will be my third trip back to Guatemala, and most certainly not my last! Working on schools together with Hug it Forward has become a passion of mine. Every trip offers something different to learn about yourself and about others. These trips allow you to make amazing connections with the children and the families of the community.

I find myself fumbling upon my words when discussing these trips because they are truly a full body experience. Your heart will grow with such immense gratefulness. So let’s getting ready to climb the Mayan ruins, play with the children, laugh a ton as well as cry. Prepare for tons of hugs from me to you!

My first Hug it Forward trip was in June 2015. Before then, I had never volunteered with an organization like this one. It was something I always wanted to do, but didn’t know how. I applied for a trip through Lush Cosmetics and was over the moon when I found out I was going to help build a school. Not only would this be a chance for me to start volunteering, but I was also getting the opportunity to volunteer in Guatemala. That last part was a big deal for me because my family is from Guatemala and giving back to this community would also be like giving back to my own.

The trip was, in short, life changing and exceeded my expectations. There is more than meets the eye with these trips. You aren’t there to build a school FOR the community, but WITH the community. You get to hear their stories, play with the kids, laugh with the adults. You’ll be surprised how much you communicate even if there is a language barrier.

June 2018 will be my 4th time going back to Guatemala & my first time leading a group! Each experience has been more amazing than the last and this is definitely not the last. Hope to see you there!

Eric Kloss:

When I first heard of Hug It Forward and their Bottle School Trips I wasn’t sure what to think. My girlfriend, Jessica, had just gotten back from a trip and couldn’t stop talking about every aspect of the trip and how amazing it was. After hearing about how much the trip affected her, I had to go myself.

Flash forward to a year later and I was on my first trip in Guatemala in the community of Tioxya. We were greeted with smiling faces from young and old, a beautiful welcome ceremony and most of all, love. If there’s one thing you will have no shortage of on your trip, it’s love.

A bottle school trip to Guatemala will not be a typical vacation but so much more. You’ll get to see the beautiful landscapes, experience the traditional cuisine, and hear about some truly humbling first hand experiences of the members of the community.

This experience will not only allow you to assist the people of the community in building a school but allow you to get outside of your comfort zone and connect with the world outside your own. This will be my third trip to Guatemala with Hug It Forward and will certainly not be my last. Come join us in helping to touch so many lives, which includes your own!

How kids and communities build bottle schools

Pictures from previous bottle school trips