Each summer, a group of Hope Ignites scholars from across the network journey to Guatemala for the GuateMaya Service and Immersion Trip, described as a “deep dive into culture, connection, and service.” For the second consecutive year, our rising senior scholar Hudsyn was selected along with nine other scholars for the 10-day trip, returning with new bonds and a new sense of gratitude.
“I think my biggest takeaway was how grateful I am for what I have here,” says Hudsyn. “Most of the Guatemalans we met lived in houses about the size of my room at Hope Ignites and with no running water. You’d think with so little they would be really unhappy, but they were some of the nicest and happiest people I’ve met.”
Upon arrival, the group’s first stop was at Esperanza Juvenil, the Hope Ignites affiliate in Guetemala, where they heard from the Executive Director about their scholars’ unique challenges and successes. Esperanza Juvenil consists of an elementary school and high school that serve scholars year-round from its eight residential homes in Guatemala City, along with other students. “We were able to observe how they learn and to serve as English ‘teacher for a day,’” says Hudsyn, who also helped out in math class, one of his favorite subjects.
Following their time in Guatemala City, which included a tour of the capital city of 3 million people and dinners of traditional cuisine at the Residential homes, the group took a two-hour bus ride to the small village of Tecpán to assist the community in necessary improvements for its school. “We painted, did some landscaping, and I had the job of installing a drainage system that will help manage all the rainfall they get,” says Hudsyn.
In addition to service, the scholars immersed themselves in the natural beauty, history, culture, and industry of Guatemala, including witnessing the traditional methods of local artisans and textile shops. A highlight, says Hudsyn, was touring the San Jose Cathedral in Antigua. Built originally by the Spaniards in the late 17th century, the church has been repeatedly damaged by earthquakes and rebuilt, with the current cathedral standing behind its original facade.
“Earthquakes are common for the country, but I wasn’t expecting to experience one,” says Hudsyn. During the second week of their trip, an earthquake centered in El Salvador caused a series of tremors in Guatemala. “We were at the high school in Guatemala City – I was actually on the top floor – and we quickly ran out. It was scary for sure,” he says. Thankfully, all scholars were safe and the school reopened a couple of days later.
The trip wrapped up with scholars spending more time with their Guatemalan peers, in the classroom during the day, and in the evening watching movies, learning traditional dances, and playing soccer. “I’m a pretty good soccer play, but they are really good and taught me some moves I’ll have to show my team,” says Hudsyn. On the last day, Esperanza Juvenil held a special ceremony for the visiting scholars, each receiving a handwritten thank-you from their Guatemalan hosts.
Hudsyn says he is still in contact with some of the scholars he met during last year’s trip and has the memories from both years to carry with him. “I’m grateful that I was able to do this not only once, but twice.” Entering his senior year of high school, he is thinking a lot about his future. “I really enjoyed teaching the younger students and have been considering a career in education, but I also love math and am interested in engineering, so maybe it’s a combination of them.”