In early August, Pueblo a Pueblo welcomed a group of nine volunteers from Ohio State University to Santiago Atitlan to support our project efforts. Students were organized via Peacework, a global nonprofit that promotes volunteerism to provide cross-sector support for sustainable development. Pueblo a Pueblo has partnered with Peacework to provide volunteers with an opportunity to experience firsthand the response and impact of sustainable community projects in coffee-growing communities in Guatemala.

During their two week stay, Peacework volunteers gained firsthand experience on issues of poverty, poor health, food insecurity and malnutrition facing coffee farming communities. They also witnessed the sustainable benefits of organic gardens, promoting primary education, increasing health and hygiene awareness and opportunities that beekeeping can offer. In addition to onsite visits projects, local program managers and coordinators were available to provide guidance and instruction. This interaction enabled volunteers to gain more insight into the reasons why projects are developed and the role they play in sustainable community development. 

Before leaving, volunteers were encouraged to reflect on what they observed and experienced over the two week period. They wrote messages for those who have yet to experience the communities bordering Lake Atitlan. Their inspiring and informative responses can be seen below.

Thank you Peacework volunteers for dedicating your time, energy and compassion to Pueblo a Pueblo and our partner communities!

What message would you convey to people who know very little about Guatemala and the communities you support during your trip?

“Being exposed and learning about a completely different culture from my own has been such an eye-opening experience”

“Life in Santiago Atitlan might be extremely different then where you come from, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worse. The people here face many challenges but are some of the nicest and friendliest people I’ve ever met.”

“It’s incredible to see the way people have carried on traditions from generation to generation, and held onto their rich culture despite the difficulties and injustice they have faced. The resilience is astounding.”

 “Yes, their lives seemed difficult.
Yes, they have much less than we do.
Yes, there were people that were struggling.
But they were proud and they still found happiness and it was an honor to get to know them.”
 
“There is no better way to learn about a culture than to be fully immersed. There is something beautiful about appreciating a culture other than your own.”

While to some having a toilet or a sink may seem simple and not a major health priority, the reality is that more than 40% of the rural population in the communities that Pueblo a Pueblo serves do not have access to water in their homes. Providing a local school with access to water and sanitation services can protect students from potentially fatal diseases and opportunities to learn about healthy hygiene and sanitation practices.

Pueblo a Pueblo’s WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in Schools project works with school directors, teachers, students and parents to construct gender segregated sanitation facilities and hand washing stations to promote health and hygiene education.

In 2014, Pueblo a Pueblo established a partnership with a local school, Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta K’ak’ak’ K’aslen, in the town of Nueva Vida to develop the plans to improve school community health. In early August, Pueblo a Pueblo inaugurated five new sanitary services (bathrooms) in the school including, 5 toilets, 1 urinal and 1 sink with 4 faucets. This made for many happy kids and teachers!

The WASH Project Coordinator, Tomás, asserts that “the new facilities will contribute to the betterment of the children’s health because they will no longer be exposed to contagious diseases because of unsanitary conditions.”

Pueblo a Pueblo’s WASH Student Ambassadors help to bridge the gap in services and understanding by designating students to be leaders in their school to help educate others about the importance of hygiene and sanitation. The WASH project has also helped coordinate the creation of a support group made up of local teachers, the school director, parents volunteers and the designated WASH Student Ambassador, to ensure a collective effort is in place to mediate any immediate or future challenges.

“With the appropriate use of the new facilities and the direct support from the students and teachers, this will be another means of improving student’s academic success.”

Thinking ahead, it is envisioned that 100% of students in the school will utilize the new facilities and learn the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene.

“Pueblo a Pueblo has now done all the steps needed. We will do occasional follow-ups, but now we want the teachers, students and community to become the main actors to look out for the hygiene of the students at the school.”