GUATEMALA MAY 2015
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e tend to get trapped in our own way of thinking, trapped in our own way of relating to people. We get so accustomed to seeing the world our way that we come to believe that the world is the way we see it. NOFILTER was designed to disrupt this mindset. The Nebraska student-athletes selected to be a part of this group were encouraged to see the world in ways they might otherwise miss. To think before they speak, before they act - understanding that regardless of where they are in the world, we all have different experiences and circumstances that have shaped our lives and our realities. Throughout the time spent in Guatemala, there was a noticeable shift in the group’s way of thinking. At first glance, they predominantly saw the distinctions which set them apart. Just as they expected, it was evident how Guatemala is amongst one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with more than half of the population living in poverty. Feelings of heartache coincided with feelings of appreciation for all of the comforts they knew were awaiting them back home. Open your mind. As the student-athletes took a step back and viewed the world through a different lens, they began to recognize the ways in which they were similar to the people in Guatemala, rather than merely seeing the disparities. They met locals and heard their views. They experienced cultural customs firsthand. They expanded their knowledge of the world. Change your view. By immersing themselves in the rich culture, unique history, and natural beauty Guatemala has to offer, the student-athletes were able to create meaning from their experience. They stopped making initial judgments. They realized that happiness is attainable regardless of circumstance. They concluded that perhaps the only thing that divides the human race is opportunity. Leave your mark. By working with two non-profit organizations, Constru Casa and Soles4Souls, the group improved the quality of life for a deserving Guatemalan community. They served passionately for those who welcomed them as their own. They formed meaningful relationships that will never be forgotten. They built a foundation for dreams to be made. The following pages are the student-athletes’ personal accounts of the eight days spent in Guatemala. From an outsiders’ perspective, a group of 24 people went to Guatemala to serve a community in need. But below the surface, those 24 lives and realities were shifted and shaped in a way that no one could have predicted.
Nebraska Athletics presents,
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he thought of having the opportunity to travel to Guatemala with a group of fellow studentathletes is one that gives me goosebumps. One of my goals as a Nebraska student-athlete has been to reach and inspire as many lives as possible, and I’m grateful for the chance to do so with people who come from a completely different walk of life than me. Serving the people of Guatemala is a privilege that will leave an impact on my heart for the rest of my life. As student-athletes it’s easy for us to become comfortable with our lavish lifestyles and forget that throughout the world people are struggling to make ends meet. I’m eager to leave my comfort zone behind and challenge myself to see how things aren’t the same everywhere. I want to learn about the adversity the people in Guatemala must overcome, hear about their dreams and aspirations, and find out what brings joy to their lives. Aside from learning from the people in Guatemala, this experience will also allow us to see each other and connect on a completely different level; all humbled to be there with a willingness to help others. We will return to Nebraska having something much deeper in common than being athletes. We will be able to remind each other of the things we see, learn, and do while being there. Although the road to get to where I am today has not been easy, it’s been worth it. I never want to take the opportunity of being a studentathlete at Nebraska for granted. I know that if it wasn’t for this University and the privilege of being a student-athlete here, I would not be who I am today. This is yet another chance for me to learn, grow, reflect and better myself for the future. I’m excited to represent my amazing alma mater and ready to be a difference maker in Guatemala!
THE JOURNEY BEGINS DAY 1
La Antigua, Guatemala
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oday was an early day. Balancing the prep work for this trip, finals week, graduation, and almost completely moving out of my apartment in the past two days all contributed to a good deal of exhaustion. Since we had to be at Memorial Stadium this morning at 2:45 a.m., I probably only got about four hours of sleep. Right as we were leaving Lincoln for Eppley Airfield in Omaha, it began thunderstorming. Since the weather forecast for Antigua involves an 80% chance of thunderstorms all week, it seemed fitting to start our trip off with some rain. We had a couple members of our group meet us at the airport instead of riding the bus, so checking in for our flight was probably the first time we’ve had the entire group together. It was clear early on that this was a good group to be taking. The selection committee found a great mix of people to bring together for this trip to Central America. Overall, today included a lot of getting adjusted culturally to the country. I’m sure that will continue, but it was amazing all of the little things you could learn by just keeping your eyes open. For instance, it seems like security is a real problem here. There are metal bars present on every exterior window, barbed wire or shards of broken glass on top of nearly every wall, and locked metal gates at the entrance of every business and home. Behind parked cars are various anti-theft devices: metal chains stringed and padlocked between two poles, steel structures locked to a loop in the pavement, etc. For every nice car, there were accompanying tinted windows that were far beyond street legal in the U.S. and were consistently rolled up, perhaps to protect the driver’s identity. It just seems as if the threat of crime has defined how this culture designs their buildings, public areas and, to a certain extent, their lifestyle. Last semester, my economics professor said that she believed personal security to be the #1 variable influencing a society’s economic success. I can now visibly see the reality behind that statement. All that being said, this country is truly beautiful. Art is completely engrained into their culture, and is present everywhere you look. As we took the drive from Guatemala City, through the mountains, and to Antigua, I can’t tell you how many roadside shops we passed with handmade furniture, carvings, textiles, or carved stone decorative pieces. I wish I had a practical way of bringing some of the larger items back home. Overall, the theme of today was learning. Learn how to navigate the area, learn the customs of the people, and learn more specifically what this next week’s activities would all entail. I can’t tell you how grateful I am already to be given an opportunity to actively learn like this.
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he bus ride from Guatemala City to La Antigua was bumper-to-bumper traffic that started with an innercity crawl then continued out through winding mountain turns. Many vehicles were broken down on the side of the road with locals standing around waiting for help. Dexter, from Jamaica, commented it reminded him exactly of home. We pulled up to a non-descript building frontage that turned out to be our residence for the week. So different! Picture a one story, adobe fronted wall that extends the length of the block with various doors in it and a two foot “sidewalk” running in front. Open one door and it’s a “hotel.” Open another door and it’s a restaurant. There were bars covering all the windows. We all walked down to the street bazaar for our first taste of local commerce. Each vendor had about a 15 foot tent space with hundreds of trinkets, t-shirts, shoes, jewelry, you name it - they had it. There must have been 50-75 vendors. Our favorite shirts were “Guatever!” and “Guat’s Up?” Funny how they make things specifically for the Americans. The kids were huddling trying to figure out how to convert Quetzales to dollars–funny! “They want 50 Quetzales!” “Dude! That’s only like $7 bucks.”
AT FIRST GLANCE DAY 2
El Esfuerzo School, Chimaltenango
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fter learning about the community we would be working in this week, the image of the poor living conditions kept weighing on my heart, and I was eager to jump in and start helping. On the drive to the school I thought back to my reasons for wanting to join this group. The uneven roads, the hustle on every corner, the amount of people walking and riding their bikes to get from place to place – it was obvious this is a country in need and I was here to lend a helping hand, or at the very least, offer a bit of hope. When we arrived at El Esfuerzo School, at first glance, I thought I was in Jamaica. Yet, despite the lack of fancy facilities and equipment, the few kids who were around didn’t know any different – similar to my experience growing up. Being from a rougher part of Jamaica where I did not always have things easy, I feel like out of anyone in the group, I related best to the conditions in front of us. With that being said, I was also able to look past the less than desirable circumstances and see potential for the kids. Being a student-athlete at Nebraska is a privilege – but it’s not until I’m back in Jamaica that I truly understand and recognize how powerful being a collegiate athlete is. I find ultimate satisfaction in showing others who are in the same position as I once was that there are many possibilities out there for them once they believe and work hard. I was never a star athlete, nor a scholar student, but my work ethic was always evident on and off the track. Although there is a language barrier, I want the kids at this school to understand that they don’t have to be the best, and they don’t always have to win every race, but what they do have to do is believe in themselves and always put forth the effort. The small things we may take for granted in the United States, like a concrete slab to play sports on, or a stage to perform skits and celebrate graduation, means so much more to someone from a background like mine, and these kids in Guatemala. Most importantly though, it can serve as a means to spark interest in something positive for their future, which is the least our group can work towards....
“Right foot back first”
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e woke up and had breakfast around 7:15. Hilda, our house mom, made us coffee and some oatmeal stuff. We arrived at the school and one of the little boys had a welcome speech for us. It was adorable! Andrea translated it so we could understand. We started the day by taking down the tin roof and wooden stables in the area. Then we had to crack all of the concrete in the back with a sledgehammer and carry all of the pieces in a wheelbarrow. There was one little boy named Dennis who put on a pair of work gloves and stepped right in to help. After lunch we had to load and unload two trucks full of dirt and rocks. We had to shovel it all out of the truck and wheelbarrow it back to the pile. It was really hard and wearing! The tools and work gear available to our group is minimal, so this first day of work was a LONG eight hours, but very humbling. For our cultural activity the first night, we went and learned how to salsa dance. It was in this tiny little studio just a few blocks away from our homestay and had to be about 120 degrees in there, but it was a lot of fun! Everyone in the group (including the guys) really tried and actually made an effort to learn how to do it instead of just making fun of the dance or giving up. We learned some steps and moves then traded partners as we went around the circle. It was cool getting to dance with different people each time. Dwayne was definitely one of the best! Who knew a big football player could be so light on his feet?? I’ll forever remember the night the Huskers learned to salsa!
EL MONSTRUO DAY 3
El Esfuerzo School
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decided to start drawing my journals instead of writing because I think it is easier to express my ideas and how I’m feeling through art. On Day 3 we started mixing concrete, which was a very difficult task. What I have here is a “concrete monster” attacking us and all we have are shovels to use, which is something we’re not used to. We are used to having the best tools at our expense, things that are going to make it the easiest for us to get the job done. A lot of us were questioning “Why don’t we have a concrete mixer? Why don’t we have a jackhammer? Why don’t we have enough shovels?” All these things... but that’s not the reality here. The people who do these jobs every single day use basic tools and do everything just fine. It’s definitely an eye opener....
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oday was a full day of work which I spent primarily mixing concrete. This process really put a whole new perspective on not only the values of the end product but also the value of the ‘easier’ processes we work to develop through industrialization, innovation, and technology... something we seriously take for granted in the United States. The process of mixing concrete: we combine wheelbarrows of dirt, concrete, rock, and water by shoveling it together over and over again on the ground. We then cart it off to the formed squares to be smoothed over. That group is amazingly patient. We have truly been immersing ourselves; not only into the culture in Guatemala but into each other’s lives and hearts. Beyond the service that we are doing at the school or the adventures we are taking, the ultimate highlight I believe we will all leave with is a whole new Husker family. While many of us ‘sort-of’ know each other, in the past few days we have already become more than a team - we have become a family. Successful teams try all year, each year to reach the comfort, trust, and connection that our group has found within the first two days. The dynamic has been unbelievable, which is making every experience and activity that much better.
GUAT’S UP? DAY 4
Valhalla Farm, Fútbol & La Finca Filadelfia
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oday we celebrated Mason’s Day by playing soccer against the other volunteer groups here from Nebraska and all of the masons who work with Constru Casa. It was really fun to play alongside other Nebraska student-athletes and go up against people from a different country. Even though we have so many differences between us and there is a language barrier, it was evident we all share a common interest with soccer. Throughout the game, both the winning and losing sides were very competitive, but still able to laugh and enjoy themselves at the same time. This trip has given me a chance to experience a way of life in which I’ve never seen. I can’t help but think about how different my life would be if I grew up in Guatemala. Growing up in the United States afforded me so many opportunities, which ultimately set me up to be a student-athlete at Nebraska. Soccer has always been more than a sport to me; it has taught me how to have a strong work ethic, to have determination, how to overcome adversity, how to handle criticism and how to be a teammate and leader. Today allowed for me to see what else soccer has the ability to do. It is a sport that is not defined by language, rather a mutual love for the game. It is able to unite people from different parts of the world in a way that little else can.
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acadamia nut pancakes? Ehh... they were alright. I had a lot. I told everyone that they tasted really bad so they should give me theirs, and it worked. Then I was really full and I wasn’t sure how soccer was going to go... figured I’d probably still win though... Ziplining was also really thrilling today. We went on a bus ride up the mountain, boy was that an adventure! Once we got to the top we put on our gear, put on our helmet and gloves. Safety first! Every one of us got out alive, no casualties... which isn’t really common, so that was really fun. There were multiple stations going down the mountain, so we got to zipline seven different times. What was really cool was there was this one zipline that went on forever, and you could just look across the mountain, which was beautiful. Even though you were going pretty quick, it was a very peaceful moment. It was nice having a day off for this experience - we came here to work, but also grateful for the opportunity to see a little more of Guatemala. Tomorrow we are going to get back to it and not worry about ourselves anymore.
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hroughout our journey in Guatemala we’ve tried and experienced things we never have before. Today we visited a farm where macadamia nuts are freshly grown and had some pancakes. I was a bit skeptical and not in the mood for them, but they ended up being delicious. I’m glad I expanded my horizons. Another thing we did today was go ziplining. I was hundreds of feet in the sky with only a cord and a safety harness holding me. Good adrenaline rush, but never again! There have been a few things that have stood out to me since we arrived here. First, I’ve noticed a lack of meat in their diet. We still get our protein, but it comes from beans, tortillas and rice. So far my favorite meal has been the asparagus soup. I ate like four or five bowls of that alone, and then had dinner. Everything tastes a bit different, but it’s not bad, I like it. All in all, I think I’d be able to survive as a football player here, as long as I get about ten plates every time I eat. I also think the architecture of the houses in Antigua are quite extraordinary. They are all connected and the stucco is painted in bright colors. We are staying at a homestay, which is a unique experience. I’ve enjoyed it, even though my feet hang off the bed. Ha!
HITTING CLOSE TO HOME DAY 5
El Esfuerzo School
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hus far one of my favorite things about this trip has been just how well we have worked with one another as a team; the camaraderie has been incredible. It seems as if we have been working with each other for years - everyone is always giving their all at the worksite and the synergy we have with one another is amazing. Someone is always filling in where needed and no one is standing around. Several people mentioned that their teams work nine months to accomplish the sense of solidarity we have developed in just five days. Apart from the great friends I’ve made so far on this journey there has been a darker side to the trip as well. During our time here we’ve become acclimated with the culture and been exposed to a different way of living. Every day American “necessities”, like air conditioning and filtered water from the sink, are unheard of down here. Many people are lacking health and hygienic necessities that they may not even know exist. This has been a really saddening realization, but at the same time has opened my eyes to just how blessed I am and is motivating me to take advantage of everything I have when I get back to the states. Another thing I have noticed here is the lack of stability and law enforcement in their society. It seems that police presence is minimal and if police are present the laws in which they operate under are “grey”, to say the least. This was never more apparent than when we had the opportunity to drive by the brothels in downtown Chimaltenango. As we turned onto the street of brothels we noticed that the main police station marked with armed guards was just adjacent to the atrocities that lay before us. As we drove up the street we passed roughly 20 brothels marked by curtains instead of doors, and it was brought to our attention that these places are controlled by the cartels and that they often control the region surrounding the buildings as well. The sense of sadness and absolute disgust for humanity I felt as we drove down the street was overwhelming. We found out that girls as young as 14 years old were being held in these brothels and “pimped” out to much older men numerous times throughout the day. The thought of someone being able to do this to such a young, innocent girl in the name of profit sent shivers down my spine. My mind began to wander between feelings of extreme sadness and pure anger as I saw people passing by these buildings like everything was fine as they lived out their daily routines. I also couldn’t help but think of the little girls we met at the school and their lack of opportunities. The reality is, that if nothing is done, there is a good chance one of these girls may end up there too. All in all, the experience really weighed down on me in a lot of ways. I’m happy my “bubble” was popped and I was able to get a firsthand glimpse of such an atrocity, but at the same time the experience was really tough to go through.
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oday’s work was just as hard as Tuesday’s, if not more because of how tirelessly repetitive the work has become. I constantly feel frustrated by the lack of not just specialized construction equipment, but even the lack of simple things like shovels, wheelbarrows, and water. Mixing cement requires a large amount of water and our only sources of water come from a slow dripping sink and garden hose. Today, Andrea and I had to continuously collect water from the sinks, transport them to the large water receptacles, and ensure that we would have enough water for the rest of the afternoon. By the end of the day, unfortunately, we figured that we were only about half way done with the amount of cement that needed to pour, and with only one day remaining, it was obvious that we would not be finishing the project. We had all built up the idea of seeing the finished project, so this was definitely a disappointment. The masons will finish the work in the following week and I am excited to see the final project. After we left the school our bus took a different route through the downtown to where the brothels were located. In recent years I have learned a fair amount about human trafficking, how serious of a problem it is, and the life that these young girls are forced to live. However, no amount of prior knowledge could emotionally prepare you to see those buildings, with dark curtains covering the windows, with the “house mother” sitting out front, and even seeing the actual girls in their work outfits waiting outside for customers. I felt sick to my stomach. I am so blessed for the life I live and I couldn’t imagine a life under control of the drug and sex lords. I also couldn’t believe that this kind of thing is just so open here; people know where these places are, it’s located right off a busy, populated street, and there are police officers just a block away. It made me feel so helpless to know that in that moment there was nothing that I could do to help. This topic is one that I hope comes up more in everyday life and more is done to cease this problem.
“Solo en mis sueños” T
oday was a very eye-opening day for me in a number of ways. While we were working at the school, I had the opportunity to speak more with Dennis’s mother (Dennis is a 9-yearold boy at the school who’ve we gotten close to.). I was just making general conversation with her when I asked if she has ever been to the United States before. She laughed and said “no, solo en mis sueños” which translates to “no, only in my dreams”. This hit home for me because she literally would give anything for a life like the one I’m fortunate enough to have. The thought of complaining about anything from back home made me sick because we have so much to be thankful for. We had no choice where we were born and the cards that we were dealt, yet the people in Guatemala have significantly more obstacles than we do. Most families live for under $250 a month, and I probably spend that much on eating out each month. These families only have enough for the bare necessities and would give anything for the opportunities that we have. It’s a good reminder to wake up each day, thankful for the lives that we have.
GIVE SHOES. GIVE LOVE. DAY 6
Soles4Souls Shoe Distribution
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can’t believe today was the last work day. So many emotions involved. I started off the morning helping with the shoe distribution for Soles4Souls. It was the most touching experience to be able to fit the little kiddos with new shoes. Many had socks with holes or rundown shoes. One boy in particular that I helped was wearing shoes that were a whole two or three sizes too small. The looks of gratitude, shyness and excitement on the faces of all of them made my heart happy. Around lunchtime the children and teachers put on a celebration for our group, which blew me away. They sang, danced, and gave us gifts. I think the most amazing part was their level of hospitality and generosity despite their level of resources and living conditions. That amazement continued when one of the teachers at the school unexpectedly gave me a gift. A few days before I told her how pretty her shirt was and just from that she brought me one; a traditional and beautiful shirt called a Huipil. I don’t know if I can fully describe the impact this trip has had on me so far – just because I’m still processing and I have so many different feelings at once. But really just having an appreciation for other cultures and understanding there is common ground in the things we are all wanting and looking for in life. Yes, there are many similarities and differences between our culture and theirs, but for the most part that’s all they are. It can be tempting to try and label things as “better” or “worse” when describing culture differences, but I think each is in its own way beautiful. Yes, some things have been tough to see during this trip... the street block of brothels with under-age girls, the extreme poverty and hunger in some of the rural areas, and the dying dogs all nearly brought me to tears. But there are also certain things and places within the United States that break my heart. However, each country has people and aspects that will encourage you, make you smile and restore your faith in humanity and a better tomorrow. I’m excited to get back home, but I know I’m leaving a part of my heart here in Guatemala and really hope to someday return.
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uring the celebration the Principal expressed how grateful they were for both the school project and shoe distribution. They did some folklore dances, and sang songs about all the Americas and how our countries are together and free. They really emphasized that what we are working on is not only for the school, but is helping the entire community. They gave us little purses that they knitted by hand and told us to wear them proudly within the United States because they symbolize the help and hope we provided for the community. The celebration was yet another way our group witnessed how appreciative and hospitable Guatemalans are. Before the trip started, I was very concerned because I didn’t really know anyone in the group and I was the only Latin. Once I met them in the Guatemalan airport, they started to teach me a lot of things and open my mind. While they were learning about the Latin American culture, I was learning about each one of them and their unique views of the world. We were not all best friends, but it was amazing to see how much we accomplished together by working as a team. While I have learned a lot from other group members, it has also been amazing to learn from the Guatemalan people, who are all so grateful, humble, and proud. I have never met people more passionate about their jobs. It is easy for us who have all of the commodities, to say “I wouldn’t want to be a mason,” or “I wouldn’t want to make boots in Guatemala,” but you will never know how happy these people are just with what they have. You cannot judge people just because of their jobs, or their looks. If we are happy with what we are doing, that should be enough - that is the purpose of life. Some people don’t realize that even if they have money, they are not happy with what they are doing, or don’t have time for their families. Whereas these people may have unfulfilled wishes or dreams, but they are grateful for what they have and wouldn’t change their lives for anything.
A DAY TO REFLECT DAY 7
Pacaya Volcano & ChocoMuseo
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e all came into this week wanting to complete the school project, so we were a bit disappointed when we realized even if we skipped going to the volcano and worked an additional day we still weren’t going to see the finished product, nor make a significant dent in the grand scheme of things. I think by this point we also realized how exhausted we were, so it was nice to have a day to spend with each other and enjoy ourselves. Pacaya Volcano was incredible. It was very picturesque - with the cauldron in the background, and the year old volcanic rock that had flowed down to the lower base of the volcano. If you looked out at it, it didn’t look all that big - until you saw someone, and thought, wow - it’s really that big! Miles of rock, where there was once magma flow. We left our horses at the top, and headed down the slippery hill to where the old lava lay. None of us were all that worried (except for Josh) that it would go off at that moment, but we knew we were done for if it did. My favorite part of the day was when I was with Dexter, right on the edge of the hill. There was a cloud running up against the mountain, and if you looked out, all you could see was this light grey cloud - almost blinding you. At that moment I couldn’t see anything else - couldn’t see the ground, the sky, the mountain. It was so peaceful, and gave me a chance to reflect for a moment. By the time we made it to the ChocoMuseo, we were all very tired. It was cool learning about the history of chocolate, how it was used by the Mayans, Aztecs, and Spaniards, as well as how it has progressed into what we know today, which our guide kept referring to as “fake chocolate”. We then got into roasting, peeling and crushing our own cacao beans, and used the paste to make a traditional Mayan chocolate drink and a European version with milk. After this we were taught more about the contents of different chocolate types and we were each given a bowl of melted chocolate so we could add ingredients to make our very own. I choose dark chocolate and added walnuts, chili powder, and salt. When I tasted the chocolate we made, I understood why they considered Hershey’s and Nestlé to be fake... Rather than being sweet like we’re used to, this was authentic, bitter and strong. Overall, I think this was a relaxing way to end the trip and a great way to send us off from Guatemala.
This trip to Guatemala is one that will stick with me for the rest of my life. There has been so much to take in at once. The people, the views, the food. Things are simple here. It reminds me of being a kid and not worrying about things that are irrelevant to our happiness. We have been able to work hard and be present. Most importantly though, we have had fun as the new family we’ve become. Sadly, on the ride back from the volcano I realized that this family we had made in such a short amount of time would be separating the following day. Going into this, I only knew a few of the student-athletes, but now near the end of the trip I can tell you something special about each and every one of them...
Rebekah – What a handful! But, she is always positive, works hard and has a million ideas! Someday she may be president because that’s the kind of person that she is. She also has a crazy adoration for goldfish!
Ian – He will be the first millionaire of the group. He is incredibly smart and articulate. He hates to lose but for some reason he always lost on this trip. It was fun watching him get frustrated because it just showed how much of a competitor he is.
Frosty – A 70 year old 16 year old. This man is young at heart and has as many one-liners as Cameron has stories. He had an older perspective that was beyond our years, but it was nice hearing things from someone who had been there, done that.
Dexter – A cool kid who can joke around with the best of them. He also gets the award for the hardest worker on the trip. He never stopped, he never complained, and he knew what he was doing. I would pick him on my team any day.
Miss Hollie Blanske – Such a sweetheart! A happy go lucky girl who worked herself to the max every day! She was extremely fun to be around and made the trip all the better.
Miss Jacqueline – A go with the flow kind of gal. She worked hard and I don’t think I ever heard her complain... even when Rebekah was sick and she had to sleep on the hard wooden couch outside.
Ethan – The artist. His ideas and point of view are intriguing and so well thought out. Plus, it helps that he can provide extremely detailed visuals if you’re confused!
Hannah – A strong girl, and what you see is what you get. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and she will give it to you straight no matter what the situation is.
Nathan Wong – Gotta love the kid! He has something hilarious or helpful to say about everything. He’s someone you can count on & you know him before you know him.
Dwayne – The “Rock” was my roommate on the trip. He isn’t what he looks like. On the outside you see a big, strong, tough guy... Which he is, but he also has an arsenal of jokes and is a fashionable dude.
Jess – A quiet one but also one of the sweetest members of our team. She never complains, she works hard and she is comfortable to be around. I also know for a fact that she is much braver than me... She took the zipline like a champ and I didn’t.
Andrea – A Colombian fireball. That’s really the only way to describe her. She is always going 100 miles an hour. She was our means of communication on the trip. It was amazing to see her dance in language with the people of Guatemala.
Camzales – Have you ever seen “How the Grinch Stole Christmas?” That’s Cam. He has this mischievous look on his face that just says, “I did something that maybe I shouldn’t have but it’s gonna be pretty funny.” He had more stories than anyone I’d ever met.
Sam – She definitely has a future as a photographer. Sometimes we would find her off on her own trying to get the perfect shot. She is a free spirit who makes the best of everything she runs into... I think that is why she is a good photographer.
Johnny – Superman. He can do it all. He is smart, personable and has a good heart. If you want to stay out of trouble and be on a successful path in life, you should follow Mr. Stanton. He also plays a mean ukulele.
Kye – The funniest, most intelligent, personable guy on the trip. A guy who I’d like to be like someday. I could go on for days talking about Kye... So if I had to sum him up, I’d call him the man. Plain and simple, he is the man.
Mary – She was the peacekeeper, mother figure, calm rational one on the trip. A wonderful person who nobody in his or her right mind could ever dislike. I know that wherever I go and whatever I do in life she’ll have my back and be there for me.
Marissa – She is such a nice girl it’s unbelievable. She is someone who you can pick up a conversation with anywhere, at any time, about any subject. I would have missed out on meeting a great person if it wasn’t for this trip.
Desiré – She is tough as nails but is a girl who loves looking pretty. She is clever in everything that she does. She is a spitfire who doesn’t take crap from anyone, but at the same time very good with kids.
LEAVING A MARK DAY 8
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hen people tell you that you’re going to encounter extreme poverty – you’d prepare yourself for sadness and sympathy, right? But overall that’s not what I’ve felt during my time in Guatemala. I have come to realize that what makes one country more impoverished than the other has less to do with their culture, and more to do with failed systems and pure chance. Over the past week we’ve seen and worked with so many brilliant programs and organizations that are trying to tackle poverty – like Constru Casa, who aims to improve the quality of life for Guatemalans by providing support for projects related to health and education, the Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm, which gives out trees to indigenous
communities as a sustainable way to make money, and Soles4Souls, an organization who believes that the provision of a dependable pair of shoes can increase the chances of a child receiving an education. While I’m proud to have worked on simple and sustainable solutions that bring hope to Guatemala, I’ve learned that poverty doesn’t necessarily dictate one’s happiness or outlook on life. Conditions here may be harsher than in the United States, but the people rarely show it, and their relationships with each other overshadow what they don’t have. From what I have seen, the important things – family and education – are never taken for granted, and there is nothing sad about that.
A
s I look back on the trip, the main thing I remember is the people. I’m sure the views, the bugs, the concrete, and the fancy McDonald’s will stick in my memory for a while, but it’s the people I hope I never forget. Although I loved the opportunity of getting to know all the student-athletes and staff that were on the trip, and I cherish the new friendships I’ve made, these aren’t the people I’m talking about. The people I want to strive to be like are still in Guatemala, living the same lives they were living before our group arrived and will continue to live long after our wrap-up video has been made and our next trip planned. I think about people like Hilda, the homestay owner, and Mario, the head Mason, and their unending patience and work ethics. Also, I think about Francisco, the bus driver and Ervin, the Volcano tour guide and their innate joy for what they do and love for those around them... even when they know these people will no longer be a part of their lives at the end of the week. I think about Logan and his courage. He had no logical reason to leave all the comforts of the U.S. and go back to Guatemala other than he loved it as his home and knew he was being called to help. Finally, I think about Dennis. At his young age, he and his characteristics impressed me more than anyone on the trip. His levels of joy, love, patience, kindness, maturity and humility were far above that of any young man I’d ever met before. I hope to meet him again someday as a grown man... I’m sure he’ll be someone I can learn a thing or two from. These people obviously don’t lack the qualities that many of us who are “more fortunate” have and in many cases I’d say they exceed them. What they lack are the opportunities. The fact that they go on living “primitive” lives knowing full well they were simply born into more difficult circumstances than others were and continue to show the characteristics and qualities that they do is truly inspirational. Their joy is independent of their circumstance; whereas for us, I feel like our joy is most often directly determined by our circumstances.
I
came in with an open mind. I thought, we are here to make a difference and learn about the culture and the world that we are surrounded by. So we took a 30-minute bus ride to the work site. We piled in a small vehicle and we drove. The cobblestone became a part of us and we grinded. We attempted to adapt to the cultural differences and we became aware of the disparity that lay before us. Take a step back we were told. Try and see the similarities. Again with an open mind I pondered this experience as a whole. I started thinking that I wasn’t being opened minded enough. I wasn’t embracing what Guatemala had to offer me. As we arrived to the work site I closed my eyes. I listened. I did this throughout the day and what I heard were the similarities. I could hear laughing of children and shuffling of feet. I could hear people talking, some in English and some in Spanish. I opened my eyes and saw the difference. I saw the Guatemalans and I saw us. I saw the frustration in faces because of the language barrier. I saw the worn out clothes, and the shoes with holes in them. I saw the mothers and fathers who came to help us and I thought, shouldn’t they have a job? My eyes gave me the differences. During the time we were working I closed my eyes again. I heard the sound of pick axes hitting the rocks, as they made concrete. I heard the jarring sound of a wheelbarrow being dumped over. I heard laughing and communicating, I heard orders and I heard teamwork. When I opened my eyes, I saw the differences. I saw who was pushing the wheelbarrow, who had the pick ax, and I saw which shovel was doing the most work. I saw the differences. Take a step back, they said. Open your mind, they said. What I saw was the power of our eyes. The discrimination we place on each other based on what we see. Whether it is a person, place or thing, our eyes deceive us. Our eyes are the reason we can easily spot the differences and are made unaware of the similarities. So I listened. I became aware of how much people are similar regardless of age, color, gender, etc. We may not have been able to communicate with everyone; we may not have even been able to finish the task. But what we did do was embrace a culture of people, created a bond over a goal to help the kids and the community. We created hope for the school, community, and ourselves. Yeah we grinded, we worked hard to accomplish the task before us. But this group was named NOFILTER for a reason. I believe that my eyes were filtered before. They gave me certain reasons to see how or why I was better or worse than someone else. My eyes gave me a negative outlook. Guatemala and the people we were surrounded by, including the group, wiped that filter off my eyes. Gave me a new outlook. Gave me the ability to see the similarities. And for that I am grateful.
2015 GROUP MEMBERS Frosty Anderson Football Alum Samantha Areman Soccer Josh Banderas Football Hollie Blanske Gymnastics Stacey Burling Life Skills Coordinator Bob Burton Senior Associate A.D.
Krista Burton Community Member Hannah Dittmar Soccer Dwayne Johnson Jr. Football Jacqueline Juffer Swim & Dive Kye Kurkowski Basketball Rebekah Land Swim & Dive
Ethan Lottman Gymnastics Marissa Major Rifle Dexter McKenzie Track & Field Ian Ousley Wrestling Cameron Palmer Golf Andrea Ruiz Bowling
Johnny Stanton Football DesirĂŠ Stephens Gymnastics Mary Weatherholt Tennis Alum Jordan Wilson Life Skills Coordinator Nathan Wong Golf Jessica Wright Cross Country