From Syracuse to Guatemala: A Week with From Houses to Homes

A friend of mine recently posted a quote that really resonated with me. It read:

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

- Neale Donald Walsch

I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty dang awesome, and pretty dang relevant. It's been an amazing year so far, and I'm extremely lucky and thankful for what I've been able to do the past five months. I've lived four months in a foreign country, taken on more responsibilities in all facets of my life, and - as I've said before - I've generally said "yes" to more things than I've said "no" to. 

This past week I was fortunate enough to spend time in Antigua and Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala with five of my fellow students, my professor, and his wife. Remember that post about Escuela Kemna'Oj? Well this is the sequel. 

Now let's back track a little bit, it's fall semester of my junior year and my professor's just told us about this opportunity to work on a project with this group called From Houses to Homes. In order to participate, all you had to do was email a short paragraph expressing your interest in the project. Let's put you in my fram of mind: you're taking eighteen credits, you have two jobs, and apparently you're a masochist. You're too busy for another project, and besides, you probably won't get it right? On second thought, it's just a paragraph - why not give it a go?

If I could go back in time, I'd hire someone to clobber me for ever doubting myself. Luckily for past and present me, I wrote the email. Now here we are, nine months later and I still find it hard to believe I made it. The work's been done, the hours have been put in, and I've seen the results up close and personally and it's all because I took that small chance last August.

Honestly, it's hard to put into words just how much we were able to do in our short week in Central America. Most importantly, we were able to conduct our post-occupancy study of the school itself and how our designs have impacted the lives of the children who go there everyday. While many details of our design weren't ultimately implemented, it was great to see what was used and how effective those choices were. We spoke with the teachers, viewed each of the spaces, and got feedback from our harshest and most important critics - the students themselves. 

Don't be fooled by their adorable faces...they're a tough crowd.

...Right.

On that note, there's nothing more fulfilling than seeing something you were a part of in action. More specifically, seeing how much joy it can bring someone. Our first day in Santa Maria de Jesus was emotionally taxing in the best way possible. At 9 AM, Oscar, the general contractor for the school as well as From Houses to Homes picked us up at our hostel. We all piled in to the back of his pick up truck and headed towards Volcano de Agua and Santa Maria de Jesus, unsure but completely enthralled to see the school we'd so vehemently worked on back at Syracuse. 

Once we'd driven over the river and through the woods, we arrived in Santa Maria de Jesus. The town itself was quite run down, with nearly all of the buildings constructed from concrete block and unfinished rebar and only a few facades brightly painted. Then came Escuela Kemna'Oj, right between the center of town and the start of farmland, with it's bright orange and red walls standing high.

We'd finally made it, and after a short introduction to the school, Oscar took us inside. Quoting my professor, it was like heaven just fell there in the middle of town. I haven't been able to find better words to describe it. 

Walking through the entrance and into the cafeteria was so surreal. Seeing the built version of something that, four months prior, I'd only imagined on paper was incredible and overwhelming. We continued our tour of the school and made our way to the courtyard...wow. Hidden inside the concrete walls and classrooms of Escuela Kemna'Oj and Santa Maria de Jesus was this beautiful oasis:

Shout out to Lex and Jess's beautiful railing design!

It was here that we got our first taste of how much the school had impacted the students as they bombarded us with greetings and love. One after another, and sometimes even in clusters, the students of Escuela Kemna'Oj embraced each of us with giant smiles plastered on their faces. It's hard to put into words just how amazing that felt and I can honestly say that I've never been in the presence of so much collective joy in my life. It's awesome to know just how happy they were and still are in their new school. 

After our day of conducting our post-occupancy study, we set to work to improve the school just a little bit more. In our discussions with the teachers and students, we found that many of the children had little to no concept of where they were in relation to Guatemala and the rest of the world. Armed with our creative skills, three days of work, and the money we'd raised to donate to the school, we decided to paint two murals - a map of Guatemala and a map of the world. 

 

Needless to say, I had an amazing time in Guatemala. While we experienced so much more than the school during our time, the highlight was certainly being able to spend time with the children of Santa Maria de Jesus (we'll save the rest for another post, another time). 

I'm so thankful to have been able to see this project through as far as I did, and even more to have been able to experience it the way the 124 students currently enrolled do...in person. The school turned out to be so much more than I expected, regardless of what parts of our design did or did not make it into the final product. That being said, it is far from total completion with many small tweaks required and numerous supplies still lacking. While we can't be there to completely see it through, I can speak for all of us when I say we'd like to do everything we can to make sure it gets completed. 

If you have some spare change lying around the house, under the car seat, left in your coat pocket, you get the gist...visit From Houses to Homes website here and make a donation. If you live in the Syracuse, NY area, stay on the lookout for collection jars at Cafe Kubal (which will be going out soon) or contact me to hear about other ways you can help.

Anyway, it's kind of crazy what happens when you stop making excuses and start taking chances, huh? 

And with that, I'll leave you with these adorable, amazing, truly inspiring faces:

                                      

Cheers!