As I stepped off the plane into the sweltering humidity of Guatemala City, the realization that I had just entered a completely foreign world set in. Since my knowledge of the country was limited, I felt vulnerable being exposed to this different culture. Over the next 17 days, my mission group and I would come to an understanding of the beautiful yet controversial country of Guatemala. We learned of the triumphs of the Guatemalan people and were grounded by their daily struggles and misfortunes.
On the surface, Guatemala is a country with immense natural beauty and flowing highlands. Yet, this breathtaking land is restrained by the bitter problems it faces as a repercussion of a 36-year civil war that ended in 1996. The toils and tribulations faced by Guatemala during the war have yet to cease, although nine years have passed since the peace accord was signed. The people of Guatemala continue to face exploitation and violence.
Our guide was Ken Kim, mission staff with The Presbyterian Church in Canada for over 10 years. We were pleased to meet his wife, Kennis and four children. We also met with human rights advocates and church leaders. Through them, we were able to grasp a basic understanding of Guatemala in context: the history, the civil war and the aftermath.
While in Guatemala City, the capital, I witnessed the reality of the dual nature of this country. The newer part of the city was very modern, much like we would see in large cities in North America. The older part of the city, where the majority of our time was spent, was made up of deteriorating buildings, streets littered with garbage and pungent air pollution.
We spent several days at the Francisco Coll School, which is situated in the municipal dump in Guatemala City. We spent two days painting the interior of the school. During our final day there, the students put on a presentation to show us their gratitude. Their excitement was overwhelming. Personally, the children were the most touching part of the trip. They demonstrated great affection towards us, and were very welcoming. We toured the classrooms and the area of the dump where the people, including the students, lived. Our meeting with the school director, Sister Alba, informed us of the troubled lives these children lead.
While the parents scavenge through the dump for recyclable items that can be traded for money, the children are left alone to wander around and fend for themselves. The area is polluted, resulting in low personal hygiene in the children. The influence of drugs and violence is very prominent, with neighbourhood fights and shoot-outs a regular occurrence. The children who come to the school require more than just formal education. They need a place where they can be exposed to love and support, as well as basic life skills. The school also attempts to reach their students at a deeper level, through faith and an emphasis on self-esteem and personal growth. With the support of external funds, since the government does not fund the school, Sister Alba and her co-workers make this an oasis for the children.
After several days in Guatemala City, we made our way through the beautiful countryside to the city of Quetzeltenango. We went to two rural Mayan communities to visit women's groups supported by the Fraternidad Maya. The Fraternidad supports these groups, primarily by providing loans so they are able to produce goods to sell. Several groups focus on weaving, while others grow potatoes or raise cattle. The Fraternidad also provides these women with an opportunity to participate in workshops for training and building self-esteem.
We attended a church service in a remote Mayan village called Nimasac. The service was held on the site where we did our work project — laying a church foundation.
This trip touched my heart and opened my eyes to a whole new world. The Youth in Mission program provided a valuable experience to witness another culture, to learn of Christian service and to heighten my faith.
