Liberty High School Visits Guatemala

Last month, from March 10th-16th, the EDGE program at Liberty High School in Kansas City, Missouri supported the Chijacinto Elementary School in Guatemala to build a new basketball court where students and the local community can now play in a healthy and safe space. This project is an example of how every Impacto Global Squad directly supports schools and communities through infrastructure development projects.

Request more information about how your class can travel to Guatemala or schedule a call with our team to start planning your trip for next year.

Working Together with the Community of Chijacinto

Chijacinto Aldea Pamezul is a small town of 69 homes and 500 people, including 100 adults and around 400 children. The population is 100% Mayan Kaqchikeles, an indigenous ethnic group of the region, and they can speak 3 languages, including Mayan Kaqchikel, Kiche and Spanish. Most families are engaged in agriculture and weaving in order to provide food and generate income.

Cultural Exchange and Local Service

Throughout the week, volunteers and community members worked together to construct the basketball court. At the same time, volunteers from Liberty High School conducted a series of educational workshops with the students from Chijancinto High School and supported the school teacher to provide a basic English class for students. This language and cultural exchange is a highlight of the Impacto Global program in Guatemala.

Pottery, Textiles and Strawberry Fields

To finish the project, a workshop was held on COVID-19 prevention and hand washing to share the importance of personal hygiene. Squads Abroad volunteers shared some inspiring cultural activities in the local community including pottery classes, textile classes and a visit to strawberry fields to support local entrepreneurs. Lastly, they were able to make day trips to both Lake Atitlan and the Iximche Mayan ruins to see some of Guatemala’s most beautiful landmarks.

Come Join Us in Guatemala!

Congratulations to all of the volunteers, community members, and staff that made the completion of this project possible! We are actively seeking other high school classes to visit our programs in Guatemala in 2023 and 2024. Please schedule a call with our team to learn more. 

Also, a big thank you to Eric Langhorst for helping to lead this program and for his amazing photographs. You can see more by visiting his Instagram @langhorstphotography or website.