Travel Log

by Rosie Ojeda –

After years of wanting to go on a Singular Humanitarian expedition, the opportunity finally came in the summer of 2015. When I think about that summer, there are two experiences that stick out in my mind.

The first one occurred when we hosted a “professional development” for secondary teachers. Due to the rain, by the time we arrived, there were only three secondary teachers – so instead of doing a professional development we kind of just did a pow-wow with the teachers.

I learned more about educational issues in those few hours, and throughout the expedition, than I have in years of teaching in the United States. The secondary teachers described how little funding they get from the government – this includes funding for materials (i.e. textbooks) and teacher training.

They also talked about ways in which the culture is a barrier for their female students, as the girls are expected to marry at a young age, and finishing secondary school (equivalent to middle school in the United States) is not a priority. The teachers expressed their desire to have one of their female student go on to a preparatoria (equivalent to high school in the United States but the structure is more similar to community college). I remember being both impressed and saddened when they told us about the female students who walk hours to get to and from school, and how one of them was attacked, yet still continued to make the trek to school every day.

What impressed me more than anything else was when one of the teachers told us that the reason why he continues to teach is because he feels it is his moral responsibility. I can only say that I view those three teachers as angels – they do not get paid very much for their work, yet they have more dedication and heart than any other teachers I have met.

These pictures are of the large group professional learning days we held – the secondary teachers, who hold a special place in my heart, attended the large group professional learning days as well. In the picture on the right, I am the one standing up – teaching a song in English.

The second experience took place when we visited an elementary school during their P.E. time. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure exactly how this worked out or how long their P.E. time was, but I distinctly remember painting many little girls’ nails.

I had an opportunity to talk to a young girl, probably between 10-12 years old. I knew a little Spanish, and so did she – neither of us was a native Spanish speaker, as her first language was K’iche’ – but we were able to communicate using the little Spanish we knew. This little girl gave me hope for the future; she told me she planned to finish secondary school, go to a preparatoria, and even planned on going to a university. After trying to convince girls to have these goals for the past several days, it was a miracle to hear this girl express these desires – without me having to convince her.

I am not sure if she identified with me because I also have indigenous roots, but this young girl connected with me, she made me feel like my presence on the trip made a difference. When I think of Guatemala, I think of her. To me, she personifies the country, and gives me hope that the women of the rising generation will continue their education and use it as leverage to rise up to their full potential.

Here I am – crouching down in the front with the sunglasses on – the girl I am writing about is right behind me. She has her hand on my back – what a sweetheart! This is a photo of all the girls we played basketball with, there are three other expeditioners in the photo as well, (from left to right) Nellie, Melissa, and Rachel.