A Journey to Impact: Dear Future's First Visit to Guatemala

Brenda and Kelsy with Children of Chumila School.

A few days ago, I embarked on a journey that truly solidified Dear Future's next project: our first official visit to Guatemala. The goal was simple yet profound – to validate the urgent need in a remote village we aim to support, and what an incredibly successful trip it turned out to be.

From Guatemala City to the Heart of the Mountains

My trip began in Guatemala City, where I met our newest Project Director, Brenda Sucup. Brenda is spearheading our efforts to launch this vital project in Guatemala, and her dedication is truly inspiring. Waiting for us at the airport was Kelsey Parrish, Brenda’s friend and the Director of Sol & Sun Dual Language Academy. Kelsy's school offers an incredible bilingual immersion program in Spanish and English, helping Spanish speakers maintain their heritage while providing others with the gift of bilingualism in Franklin, NC. Her keen interest in supporting children in Guatemala alongside us instantly made her a valuable part of our team on the ground.

From the bustling city, the three of us embarked on a six-hour drive through the breathtaking hills and mountains of Guatemala, heading towards the city of Cobán. There was no time for sightseeing; we knew we had an early start the next morning. We arrived in Cobán later than expected and settled into the beautiful Hostal del Ángel for a much-needed rest.

Into the Heart of Rio Negro: Aldea Chumila

Brenda, Kelsey and Ric

True to their word, our transportation to the Chixoy River appeared bright and early. We met the local village pastor, Zacarías Francisco, along with our driver and community leader, Germán, with whom we'd share the next leg of our journey. What followed was a four-hour drive, with three and a half of those hours on challenging 4x4 terrain, eventually leading us to our river destination: Chixoy. There, we boarded a canoe for another 15-minute ride upriver.

Upon arrival at the village, a short 200-meter uphill walk brought us to the school. Approximately 40 children were playing, having waited patiently for us since 8 AM, though it was now closer to 11. Our first stop, however, was the community church with the pastor.

Pastor Z. Francisco, Ric and Passenger

The intention was a welcoming "caldo de gallina," but our eagerness to connect quickly led us to forgo the soup and dive straight into conversation. We needed to understand their projects and, most importantly, their needs. Realizing the children had been waiting, we cut the discussion short and headed downhill to the school.

A Single Teacher, Forty Students: The Reality of Aldea Chumila School

At the school, we met Jose Perez, the dedicated teacher. He is, quite literally, a one-man show, leading 40 students across all grades from 1st to 6th. Jose faces immense difficulties, lacking almost every essential material and receiving little to no support from local or country governments. This segmentation, a combination of budget limitations and the isolated nature of the village, has left the school profoundly underserved.

Meeting with Education Council of the Village

Children rushing to write postcards

Our conversation with Jose quickly revealed that he needs many of the same fundamental supplies that all our supported schools require, particularly materials that aid his teaching, like dry-erase boards and markers. The students themselves struggled to find pencils just to write "Dear Future" postcards. It was heartbreaking to witness the poor level of reading and writing, a direct consequence of one teacher having so little time for 40 students.

After an hour of mingling with the children and speaking with Jose and the local board of education, we bid the students goodbye. We then returned to the church to finally enjoy our lunch before quickly heading back to meet our waiting taxi on the other side of the river.

A Clear Picture, A Renewed Purpose

This visit was invaluable. It provided us with the precise understanding we needed to launch this project effectively. It painted a clear picture for us to share with our donors, illustrating the true educational conditions these children face. Most importantly, it opened the door for us to provide them with as much support as possible to improve their education and, by extension, their futures.

We're incredibly excited about the potential to make a significant difference in Aldea Chumila. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us provide these children with the resources they desperately need to learn and thrive.

Ready to make a difference in Aldea Chumila? Click here to donate to our Guatemala campaign and empower these children's education today!