The truck delivered the materials at the last point where the road reached the community of Chicueyaco, and dumped the towering piles of supplies. Our only option was to fill up bags and carry them on our backs. As we purchased the mounds of materials (a truckload each for the sand an gravel) in Cuetzalan, we wondered how we would ever accomplish the feat.
After a delicious lunch of homemade tortillas, rice, beans, cactus, and fresh avocado, our team approached the drop-off site with a bit of apprehension. We knew we were in for a lot of trips up and down the trail that was a little under a half mile distance. Our jaws dropped when we saw the buzz of activity already in motion as we arrived. Over 30 members of the community, including elderly women, children, teenagers, and even a few horses were lining up to carry tremendous weight on their back. We quickly joined the group, shoveling scoops of sand in the bag, throwing over our shoulders, and heading down the path. Some elderly women managed to haul up to four cinderblocks at a time on their backs!
After 5-10 minutes of side-stepping fresh horse manure, rocks, and participants heading back uphill to fill their empty bags, we arrived at the community health center to deposit our trip’s contribution. Here too there was non-stop activity as about 10 local men began preparing the foundation for the restroom facility. All this for a toilet!?!
Surely someone would question why so much effort would be made for an outhouse. Why would an entire community invite strangers from another country to help them build a bathroom structure in their community? The answer was simple. Chicueyaco, located in the heart of Puebla, is a small village on the outskirts of Cuetzalan town. A marginalized community, the population has worked hard to secure a health center to provide basic care (such as vaccinations, pre-natal care, and other primary remedies) for the young and old.
Global Citizens Network has helped the community since 2005 build the health center and place a roof on top. To insure that a doctor or nurse will come and spend time at the site, and provide a facility for the old and ill to relieve themselves at the health center, the community rallied together with the GCN partner team to create an outhouse with a sitting toilet, running water, and sink for hand washing.
From March 20 to April 3, 2010 13 GCN team members shared in the experience with the community. It was two weeks not only filling sand bags, but filling hearts and minds with memories of shared moments: team members trying hard to shape a tortilla without it dropping on the ground (few actually succeeded), learning new words in Spanish and Nahuatl, playing and teaching American games and toys to the local kids and asking questions and sharing stories about one another.
The highlight of the trip was, as always, the good-bye fiesta. The women of Chicueyaco put a new meaning to the “all-you-can-eat” taco experience! The kids enjoyed sharing games, blowing up balloons, bubbles, and breaking down the famous piñata! Even some two year olds were in on the action (we made sure there were a few pieces that dropped out especially for them!)
Chicueyaco community shared its gratefulness for the team’s participation in action, words and tacos. They are excited to near the end of the health center project! A GCN team will head to Chicueyaco from August 6-15th to help install electricity and finish painting the walls of the health center shades of warm turquoise and vibrant clementine orange. The women asked me to share with all trip participants from previous teams their thanks for how much has been shared and they hope you can come back to visit them on this upcoming trip or in 2011!
For more information about this trip or upcoming opportunities in Chicueyaco, Mexico contact
Laura E. Kurland
Regional Coordinator-Latin America
Global Citizens Network (GCN)
11000 West 78th St., #303, Minneapolis, MN 55344 USA
1.800.644.9292| Direct: 952.746.2274 | Fax: 952.941.4600
www.globalcitizens.org
If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.
We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)
This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.
The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)
Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania
GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania
Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania
Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania
This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.
My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)
I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.
One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.
My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.
We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.
The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007
The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant
With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants
I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant
I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant
As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant
A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer
It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer
The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer
My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer
Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!
The best thing about the trip was getting really close-up pictures of horses. The hardest part of the trip was leaving Chirapa
Tana-Isabel, Washington; Peru youth volunteer
I wanted to be "in the middle of nowhere" and enjoy it as well as learn about the Quechua culture. My comfort zone has expanded and I enjoyed getting to know the people!
The most inspiring moment for me was receiving a genuine Quechuan percussion instrument as a gift from the community. It showed me that the community valued my presence and it is something that I will never forget.
David, University of Minnesota Participant; Peru volunteer
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