March 2012 Bottle School Trip (AGC)
“Being able to share [this experience] with not only family but also teachers from my son’s school [made this trip meaningful]. It made me closer to my wife and myself. Helping strangers has a special feeling for people’s hearts in general. [But] being able to to do it with the two most important people in my life has meaning beyond what I can express in writing. The welcoming and departure ceremonies, playing frisbee with the kids and the community walk, was unique in that we got to see the real, daily lives of the people. [I thought] we were just going to do bottle stuffing and stacking…[in fact] I worked towards building a school.”
“I have always contributed to my community and other communities in need but this trip made me realize that I can take it to another level. My commitment to education has also become stronger. Getting to know the community members [was] such a crucial part of connecting with others.”
“As a community development practitioner was meaningful as it provided the opportunity to immerse myself in various models of participatory development. It was a privilege to share it with my colleagues and community. I most enjoyed playing with the children, talking to the women of the community, and going on the community hike. The community integration piece was particularly strong. I will have lasting memories of smiling children and generous hospitality.”
“What a full experience – I appreciated how balanced the trip was. I felt safe and that my health during the trip was taken seriously, which I appreciated. The experience has been so meaningful because it completely reframed my understanding of poverty in a developing country like Guatemala. I felt an authentic connection to the people with which we worked.”