My Guatemalan journey has ended

Thanks to all who made this trip an incredible journey! I learned so much and made so many great friendships along the way.

My amigos are arriving today!

This last week I have been wrapping up work at Avivara by doing some event planning for Avivara's November fundraiser in Seattle. The week has not been super exciting (hence the neglect of my blog) although I was shaken awake by a small earthquake this morning.

Today my cousin and some other friends are flying in and I can't wait! Tomorrow we are going into Guatemala City with Gary (Executive Director) of Avivara to learn more about Guatemala by visiting an organization that Gary has worked with in an impoverished area. On Friday we will visit my school as a group and have a "cultural exchange day." I'm sure we will take a lot of pictures and I am interested to hear the group's reactions from what they witness and learn.

Ziplining- what a rush

As we crept towards the wire line that faded into the clouds our hearts sank. "You're up, Tara." The guide hooked me to the line and with a leap of faith I was flying over the jungle!


Today I hiked with a group of friends, all doing construction volunteer projects in Guatemala, to the top of a mountain near Antigua and ziplined over a coffee field. It was quite exhilarating and the views were unbelievable.

6,000 flashcards later...

I taught at El Yalu last Thursday and had a great day with the students. Beforehand, I cut flash cards for students to practice English during their free time. I didn't realize when I started what a process that would be! Six thousand flashcards later (over 200 kids with 30 flash cards each), I finished filling my last envelope full of flashcards with cramped hands. The students wrote on their flashcards in class as I held up a big example flashcard for each one. I hope they use them to practice since I'll be leaving Guatemala soon.

On the way home via the motorcycle, Marvin and I stopped at a bar to watch some "futball" and have a cerveza. I ran into some other Guatemalan "amigos" at the bar. I'm really starting to feel like a local!

The challenges of getting an education: An interview with a Guatemalan student

I’ve already met several Avivara scholarship students, each with an amazing story of how they are beating the odds in order to receive a good education here in Guatemala. Most of us come from the frame of mind that an education between Kindergarten and the 12th grade is a right as well as a requirement. In Guatemala after elementary school (which even lacks attendance from some elementary-aged kids) many students are literally left on their own to find an education past the 6th grade and the odds are stacked against them.

How is this so? I had the privilege of interviewing Jacobo, one of Avivara’s scholarship students (not the student in the photo). This articulate, soft-spoken, curly-haired kid told me first-hand what his challenges are to getting an education. Jacobo is one of only about 5 students seeking an education after elementary school in his village of 2,000 people. He must travel about 2 ½ hours every day in order to get to school. First, Jacobo walks 9 Kilometers to the bus starting at around 5:30 a.m.

During the tropical storm a few weeks ago part of the road he took to school was washed out and he must now use ladders to cross a gully before catching a bus ride on the other side. One of his many adventures in getting to school occurred last week when he got a ride from a motorcyclist. They went through a creek in order to avoid the gully and the motorcycle died in the middle of their crossing. Jacobo ended up riding for over an hour with wet clothes before arriving to school that day.

Jacobo’s family does not have the money to afford to move closer to a high school for Jacobo. Fortunately, Jacobo’s parents are supportive and he receives a scholarship from Avivara which covers transportation and the cost of supplies such as books and uniforms.

Jacobo told me that it was a challenge to adjust to the rigor in his new school setting, but given his determination and smarts he has adjusted quite well. When I asked Jacobo about what he likes to do with his free time he politely responded, “What free time?” Jacobo gets home with only enough time to work on homework and get ready for another long day.

Jacobo has plans to continue his education and get a good job to support himself and his family. Luckily, Jocobo beats the odds because he has parents who support him, a scholarship from Avivara, and most importantly the courage to overcome the barriers to receiving a good education through a lot of sacrifice and hard work.

I said goodbye to Jacobo feeling inspired by his determination and a bit humbled. Jacobo has to work so hard to attain what our students are granted in the US.