Over ten days, scholars stepped outside their comfort zones and adapted to a different culture with open minds.
This summer, a group of scholars from across the Hope Ignites Network spent ten days at Esperanza Juvenil, Hope Ignites of Guatemala, for the Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience.
From the first round of icebreakers to the last dinner shared in the residence homes, scholars from Guatemala and the U.S. found common ground and traded stories across borders.
Getting to Know Esperanza Juvenil
After a long travel day, scholars woke up ready to dive in. The morning started with an introduction to Esperanza Juvenil, its history, its mission, and the impact it has on young people and their families. Scholars toured the elementary and high school campuses to see the educational experience firsthand, then visited the home of one of the local scholars for a glimpse into daily life for many families in Guatemala.
In the afternoon, the group headed into the heart of Guatemala City. They toured the city’s oldest cathedral, stopped for photos at the National Palace, and browsed a local artisan market where scholars picked out handmade souvenirs. A late lunch at Pollo Campero fueled the walk back, and “rest” time at the elementary school quickly turned into several competitive rounds of Spoons and other games. That evening, scholars split into small groups to share dinner at the residence homes, meeting the students who live there before gathering back at the school to reflect on the day.
A Weekend of Service and Scenery
The weekend brought the group’s first big service project: painting and beautifying a local school to make it a more welcoming place for its students. Between coats of paint, scholars got to know the local community and deepened their appreciation for Mayan and Guatemalan culture. The day also included a birthday celebration for Devon, one of the US scholars.
From there, the group traveled to Tiosh Abaj and stayed overnight at a hotel with views of a nearby volcano, a chance to unwind and take in the landscape after a full day of work.
Scholars in front of the iconic Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua.
US and Guatemalan scholars playing games together.
Lake Atitlán and San Juan La Laguna
The next morning, scholars traveled by boat across Lake Atitlán to San Juan La Laguna. They hiked up to an overlook with sweeping views of the city, the lake, and the surrounding mountains, then toured local chocolate and honey production and learned about traditional artisan crafts. There was time to shop for handmade souvenirs and experience the region’s traditions up close.
Back at Esperanza Juvenil: Service and Everyday Life
Returning to campus, scholars spent a day serving at the middle and high schools. After school, they learned to wash their clothes by hand, practicing the same techniques Guatemalan scholars use every day. In the evening, small groups visited the residential homes to share meals with local scholars and their tías. The night filled up with sports, dancing, and board games, the kind of activities that turn new acquaintances into friends. The group also celebrated Sonita, another scholar whose 18th birthday coincided with the trip, with singing, and closed out the night with cards.
Antigua and the Coffee Farm
Next, the group traveled to Antigua, one of Guatemala’s most historic cities. Scholars visited a scenic overlook, toured a cathedral, spent time in the central city park, and explored the markets for souvenirs. A highlight of the day was a coffee farm tour, where scholars followed the process of growing, harvesting, and producing coffee, then sampled the locally made results and learned about one of Guatemala’s most important industries. The evening ended with more time in the park and dinner back at the residences.
The Final Days: Service and Fellowship
For the last stretch, scholars split into smaller groups for a range of service projects alongside Esperanza Juvenil scholars. They volunteered at a local food bank, attended the Guatemala International Book Fair, cleaned and beautified a neighborhood school, and picked up trash throughout the neighborhood.
Scholar trying his hand at the cocoa refinement process.
Scholars bonding over ball games at Esperanza Juvenil
The group also took on a fellowship activity with the high school and college students: creative team challenges that included an egg drop from a window, building the tallest possible structure out of spaghetti and tape, and putting together a team cheer to perform for everyone. It was an evening of teamwork, laughter, and friendly competition. The final afternoon brought a visit to the neighborhood fair for rides, food, and time together, followed by one last dinner at the residences.
Over ten days, scholars stepped outside their comfort zones, tried new foods, learned new games, and adapted to a different culture with open minds. Even more memorable was the community they built within their own group. Instead of spending free time on their phones, scholars chose to be together, teaching each other card games, playing and shadowboxing, sharing snacks from the neighborhood store, and looking out for one another the whole way through.
For the U.S. scholars, the trip was a window into a part of the world beyond their own. For the Guatemalan scholars, it was a chance to share their homes, their culture, and their hospitality. The friendships and memories made in Guatemala will last far beyond the ten days, and we are grateful to everyone who supported the scholars on this journey.
US scholars posing with older Guatemalan scholars at one of the Esperanza Juvenil school buildings.
