Hola familia y amigos!

The learning and adventures continued today as we started off our day by visiting “Fundabiem,” a non-profit, holistic care facility for children and adults with disabilities and other injuries. After getting a tour from the director, we were able to spend some time exploring on our own and even engaging in conversations with clients and their families. We sang songs to the children (in Spanish) and had very meaningful conversations with parents and other family members. After our visit to “Fundabiem,” we went to the market to engage in a learning experience during which we were split into four groups and assigned a different topic: food, medicine, education, and clothing. Each group was given 50 Quetzales (about $7) to shop for the “necessities” for a family of five. This was a very eye-opening experience, as many people in Guatemala live off of less than $2 a day.

We then had lunch with our host families before splitting into two groups: one group experienced a traditional Mayan medicinal practice, a sauna, (Temazcal) while the other group learned how to weave at a women’s cooperative. Our day concluded with a delicious treat, ice cream, and a group reflection before heading home to our host families for the night. We are so grateful for all that we have experienced thus far and are looking forward to continuing our intercultural growth.

Saludos,

Ashtyn and Marie