Change agents in Guatemala
After a ten hour travel day consisting of two flights and one short drive from Guatemala City to Antigua, we arrived at Hotel Rustica around midnight. The following two and a half days consisted of exploring the streets of Antigua and hoping not to get lost. I packed in as much as I could during our free time. Most hours were spent seeing the ruins of cathedrals, running around the Mercado and venturing in and out of different cafés and shops.
As a group we also had many field trips to various organizations around the area that are combating various sustainability challenges. At some of these sites organic surprises have occurred, greatly enriched this experience. One of the first incredible experiences for me was at Ecocomal, a company that makes high efficiency wood burning stoves. This is where we met Marco, the business owner.
In 2007 Marco was out of a job decided to start his own business. He knew there was need for great social change in Guatemala and had a strong passion for providing something for the community that has social and economic benefits, while preserving the environment. He started his company with only $85 and along the way encountered many “angels” who supported his work and helped him get to where he is today; selling most of his stoves to NGOs and providing them to local residents.
I do not know why he has such a strong connection with the environment or the desire to improve others lives but it was incredibly inspiring to meet someone who does and is doing something about it. He was an incredibly humble man who is doing his part in his community to be a changemaker. It was an extremely moving and inspiring experience for me to meet him.
This semester my coursework revolved around an internship and my Urban Planning minor, leaving no room for any sustainability classes. I have felt somewhat disconnected from sustainability values, ideas and the community. This Guatemala trip has completely turned that around for me. While standing at Marco’s artisanal factory, listening to him talk, I was reminded exactly why my passion is sustainability. He proved that dedication, hard work and with help along the way, one person could make changes for an entire community. The trip has also allowed me to meet so many incredible people in the sustainability community who have quickly become my friends. It is incredible to learn from them and hear each person’s individual passions and interests in sustainability. I am inspired and uplifted by the little “angels” I have been lucky to meet in Guatemala, as well as the friends I get to live with through this experience.
I still have so much more to look forward to and learn in the next week and a half! Next stop is Zacapa; where we will be working with Habitat for Humanity, so stay tuned.
