Dear Reader,
The time has come to reflect for the final time on what this project has been for me and what I have learned. May the gods of english be with me (if you've read friday's post you understand why I'm saying this) as I write this long dissertation on the importance of my experience.
Okay, so I did something unconventional, a leap of faith if you will. I went to Guatemala, a completely foreign country to me, for two weeks, while knowing very little Spanish and apparently not having enough baby experience (I'd never dealt with screaming children quite on that level before). I volunteered at a women's shelter for two weeks, taking care of teenage girls' babies while they studied in school. I had 4 hour Spanish immersion classes (though honestly every hour was a Spanish immersion class considering very few people knew english) with my teacher Jaime where I learned about not only the language, but culture. I climbed a mountain to reach a look out point for a volcano in order to see (or really hear) it erupt. I went to a local spa/public pool called Las Fuentes Georginas to relax. I ate fried plantain on the streets (which was Amazing!). I even went to one of the largest market in Guatemala (and almost died twice) to go buy donations for the shelter I was working at. While I'd loved to tell you that in two short weeks I saved the world and wiped out poverty and suffering permanently, the truth is I went across the world (okay really 3 hours away) to a new place to learn not only about it, but myself as well. You don't do things like this, have experiences like this without changing yourself, if even the slightest. Guatemala has made me a different person, a new person, someone that I am proud to be. There are 3 main reasons why I've changed as a result of this experience: My time at the shelter, my host family, and my Spanish lessons.
The shelter was often a source of emotional turmoil for me. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. It wasn't exactly emotional turmoil, but I did find myself frustrated often. Sometimes it was because of the mothers (in the early days it would frustrate me if they didn't tend to their child during their breaks, instead just leaving them crying in the arms of volunteers). Sometimes it was because of the kids (crying and poop...enough said). And sometimes it was just living conditions in general (a large part of why all the children are sick is because their room is so hot and musty). It's safe to say that this shelter was not anything that I was used to, but I liked it that way. Being out of my comfort zone is a good thing. It helps to expand your mind and broaden your thinking. In this case being out of my comfort zone was the cause for a lot of reflection on my part.
I'm very luck, like insanely lucky to have been given the life I have. I know every volunteer says this, but I think it is a collective emotion that we all feel after an experience. I don't know what I did to deserve it or if I do, but I feel it's my job to be held accountable for the easy life I've been given. I should volunteer, donate, and just give general aid to my community (from a global citizenship standpoint, Guatemala is my community as well). If we are to see each other collectively as people on earth, isn't it our job to help one another regardless of the barriers that divide us? Isn't that the meaning of global citizenship? To erase those barriers (countries, nationalities, race etc.) and just see the world as it is (and as it could be). Being at this shelter made me want to be a better human being for our world, to continue the efforts produced by not only hard work, but dedication. I've alway enjoyed service, but this experience showed me the magnitude of what service means to me. Our world is only as good as the people in it and the actions we take. At the end of the day, I want to be one of those people who dedicate themselves to making the world better. This experience showed me for the first time that I don't have to be older or stronger or wiser to do it. I can be myself and just being a part of something, a vision or an ideal, that's bigger than myself is enough.
Secondly there was my host family. I loved my host family. They took a couple of strangers (Kit and I) and made us feel like a welcome part of their family. I'll always cherish family dinners, movie nights and playing games Dani (my younger host sister of sorts). My host family was often the lens through which I saw and understood Guatemalan culture. From Griselda's explanation of sneezing in Guatemala (after the first sneeze you say Salud (health), after the second you say Dinero (money) and after the third you say Amour (love)) to amazing meals and family get togethers, I learned so much from my host family's way of life. They were a large part of what made me love Guatemalan culture so much, seeing it at work in their family lifestyle.
I also gained something from them too. It was amazing to see how they all lived together as such a large family, helping one another out and caring for each other. They always had time carved out for family whether it was galvanized around a football (soccer) game or an after-church gathering. They never missed a beat. I guess that's something I personally miss from my own family. We always have our own schedules, working tirelessly around the clock. It's very unlikely that we have a family dinner together or that I don't eat alone. Honestly, until going to Guatemala I didn't see any major problems with our system because it worked, but being with my host family reminded me how much I miss family time. At the beginning of the year, Mr. Alig told us to spend more time with our families as college will change our lives. Maybe it took a little extra push on my part, but now I understand. My family life is important to me and I'll do everything I can to cherish it and up hold it.
Lastly, there were my Spanish lessons. I said many times in my reflections that my Spanish class was my favorite part of the day (and it was). I loved learning from my teacher, even if the language barrier did get in the way sometime, because that's what made it exciting! Spanish lessons came with it's one set of frustrations and tribulations, but they were worth it in order to connect with people on a new level. My Spanish lessons were about more than just the language. We talked about our likes and dislikes, our aspirations and even problems we see with the world. I loved hearing about Jaime's family, the indigenous Mayan culture and their traditions. I also like comparing his experiences as a Guatemalan citizen to my own as an American. We learned so much from each other in a way that made me question our countries' militaristic history. How could we as Americans ever condemn a country and a people so rich in culture and life? A culture that I so greatly enjoyed being a part of for two weeks. However, I also realized that through communicating and understanding (as I did for two weeks), how we can overcome violent pasts such as those.
Furthermore, It never ceased to amaze me how much information I could soak up from these unconventional Spanish sessions. It was a new way to learning a language that I'd never experienced before. It was more like I lived and breathed Spanish rather than just learning it, but that's what made it special. For two weeks, Spanish became an intricate part of my life. It was how I communicated and learned. Honestly for all intensive purposes, Spanish became a part of me and I loved seeing the language unfold before my eyes and slowly begin to make sense.
Overall this project has been amazing for me. I've learned so much and changed so much in such a short period of time. This is an experience that I would recommend to anyone willing to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. It's an experience that I don't regret and I don't think anyone else would either. I'm grateful for what this experience has given me, knowing that it will continue to effect me in my everyday life. Lastly I want to thank any and everyone who made this experience possible for me. I feel so privileged to have had your help and support!
Sincerely,
Journey
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