Day 5 photos

Day 4 photos

Day 3 photos

Day 2 photos

Day 5

Where has the time gone?? How is it already Thursday? We had a very long, yet rewarding day today. We all woke up this morning at 4 am to journey up Mount Toliman in order to watch the sunrise. The hike was a bit challenging, but once we arrived at the top, it made it all worth it. After our hike we enjoyed a breakfast of eggs and beans. We then split into 4 groups and went off to do construction. While we were all at different places, we all seemed to have moved dirt. This is often done to prepare the foundation of a house and create an even floor. After our long, sweaty morning, we joined each other at the mission for a lunch of rice, chicken, vegetables, and fruit. After lunch the long term volunteers explained to us what it’s like to be in their position, if any of us were interested in ever taking on that role. We then took time to relax at the hotel before going to the Juan Ana coffee building to learn about the process of making coffee. They first have to remove the outer husk of the bean. Next, they pick out the bad beans and remove any excess husk. After that is complete, they are left with “gold” or “green” coffee. This is then roasted for 8-10 minutes. After roasting, the beans are grinded into fine grounds. After this is complete, the coffee can be brewed. There are many different techniques to achieve a delicious cup of this coffee. Coffee is a very important part of Guatemalan culture and it is exceptionally gratifying to have been immersed in this complex process. After this experience, we met back at the mission for dinner. We had spaghetti, salad, and most importantly, cake for Rebecca’s birthday! We also learned about ennegram types and had a nice time for introspection. After a very long day, we are all taking time to relax and hang out. It has been a fantastic week and we’re ready for our last day in San Lucas Toliman!

I’m sorry for the boring titles!

Día 4!

Hola! We started off the day by having a nice  breakfast which consisted of oatmeal and fresh bananas. Then it was time to split off into our construction groups for the day. One group went back to the coffee production site to continue moving dirt to level the land. The other two groups went to different mixed houses (block house on the bottom and wood on top) to paint and sifted gravel. After a long morning of work, we headed back to the mission for a delicious lunch. Lunch consisted of pasta with meat sauce along with some more fresh fruit. After lunch we stopped by the women’s center to learn more about Guatemalan culture. The women’s center provided us more insight to how they do their laundry, make tortillas, and carry wood. After listening and learning, we headed over to the playground and slid down the slides. It was all fun and games until Bridget ripped her pants. We headed back to the mission to have a nice dinner of carrot soup, veggies, garlic bread and left over pasta from lunch. Dinner was followed by our favorite local rolled ice cream shop. Now after reflection, we are off to bed and our excited for our early morning. 

*Photos will be posted when we have internet connection in the US. It has been very difficult to do here, we apologize!

From Work Sites to the Karaoke Stage

This morning, we started our day with some breakfast before we went to the group sites. We split into 3 groups and went our separate ways to work. The first group went to the coffee site, where they moved rocks and started to level the land for the coffee drying platform. The second group helped build a house, by putting up the walls and putting nails in the boards that went on the walls. The third group poured concrete to make a floor. After lunch, we walked to the reforestation project and learned about how they are working to help the Guatemalan environment and decrease the presence of trash. They used unique recycling methods along with community engagement. For dinner, we had some rice, cheese, and veggies along with some green beans. After dinner, our group went to the square and participated in some karaoke, where bridget went ALL in. We are so excited to see what tomorrow brings!

Day 2!

Waking up to the crow of roosters, we ate a delicious breakfast of porridge, beans, and bananas. Afterwards, we started off the tours with a quick look at the elementary school affiliated with the mission. Kids ran around us as we learned about the different teaching methods used in the school, both in the upper and lower level curricula. Moving on to the mission’s women’s center, we watched a traditional weaving demonstration and learned about the different programs offered to turn local women into independent members of their culture. These programs helped better the women and their economic stability within the community. We continued to the hospital, where we toured the operation room, learned about the equipment utilized in the hospital’s procedures, all while discussing how far American contributions have gone to better the hospital and the community it is a part of. A wide majority of the space, machines, and medical personnel were generously donated from across America, all contributing to the prosperity of the community. The last place we toured was the coffee production facility where we learned about the different strategies used to harvest and prepare the coffee beans for selling. The mission works to pay the community well for this locally grown crop, working to circulate more money into the community.
After lunch, we had the opportunity to speak with a native named Andres about his experience of social injustice in Guatemala. He was a former Mayan slave, who found refuge with work in the mission. He taught us a lot about Guatemala’s history while passing on his own life’s experiences. We then went back to the mission to watch a documentary on its founder, Father Greg.
To satisfy our sweet teeth, after dinner we roasted marshmallows over our hotel’s campfire to end the day. We reflected on the opportunity for growth that this trip presents, and how we should grasp that opportunity while we can.




Boat Day

Hi everyone! We just wrapped up a fantastic first day in Guatemala! We started off the morning by going to mass which was a great learning opportunity given that it was all in Spanish! After breakfast, which was awesome by the way, we hopped on a boat and drove across Lake Atitlan to our first stop, Santiago. The views on the boat were stunning! In Santiago, we visited the church of Father Stan Rother who was martyred. We got to shop around for a little bit and then continued on to another city, Panajachel, where we ate a fantastic lunch at Sunset Cafe. After lunch we did some more shopping and exploring. We came back to the mission for dinner and walked around San Lucas. After a long, exciting day, we are tired and ready for bed but excited for the days to come

Bienvenido a Guatemala

Buenos Noches!
After 16 hours of traveling, we have officially arrived to our final destination in San Lucas Toliman. We were greeted by our lovely drivers from the San Lucas mission, who were kind enough to drive us 3 hours to San Lucas. After arriving at our hotel, we were met by the long term volunteers who were so happy to see us. We enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal at the mission and we are now unwinding and getting ready for bed. We are ready for our journey and can't wait for more adventures!

Meet our group!

Student Co-Leaders:

Conner Wasser Kane- My name is Conner Wasser Kane. I am one of the student leaders for the Guatemala ABST. I am a Junior Pre-Med/Bio Major  and at Gannon I am involved heavily in service and through IFC with promoting safe and fun social life here.  I participated on the Guatemala ABST as a freshman and immediately knew that I wanted to be able to facilitate in creating a great experience for others students such as I had when I went. With that I became a trip leader and have led a trip to Merida Mexico as well as now this Guatemala trip. The ABST program gave me so many great opportunities to help a wide variety of people and am thankful for it every single day!

Madison Wall- Hi! My names Madi. I'm from Buffalo, NY. I am a sophomore nursing major. On campus I am also involved with the travel program and Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. I went on the Guatemala ABST last year and I am so excited to begin this new journey and lead a group of students. I have had so much fun these past few months getting to know everyone in our group and I'm excited to grow our connections even further during this trip.

Faculty Accompaniers:

Mark Kennelly- My name is Mark Kennelley.  I have a beautiful wife (Kelly) and three children (Isabella, Caesar and Mateo).  I am also the Grounds Manager at Gannon University where I oversee the Campus Grounds and work cross-functionally with the Athletics, Custodial and Maintenance Departments.  I love helping people, learning about new cultures and being outdoors so when I was asked to accompany this group to Guatemala, it was an easy decision.

Kaitlyn Falk- Kaitlyn Falk is a 2016 Gannon  graduate from the Nutrition and Human Performance program. She served for two years in the AmeriCorps at Gannon and has since been on staff at Gannon, serving previously  as the Wellness Coordinator and currently as the Community  School Coordinator at Strong Vincent Middle School. 

Group Members:

Hannah Cedzo- My name is Hannah Cedzo. I am a first year Sport and Exercise Science Pre-Physical therapy student.  I am from Erie PA.  I am very excited to be a part of this trip. I choose to go on this Guatemala trip because it combines my two favorite passions, travel and service. My goal in life is to travel as much as possible so that I can learn so many new cultures. I am excited that we will be immersed in the culture for a whole week! The biggest passion of mine is helping people and doing service. I am eager to experience traveling to a new country and giving back to the community!

Tara Czarnecki- My name is Tara Czarnecki and I am a junior studying Communication Arts, Digital Graphics/Media. I am a goalie on the Gannon's Women's Soccer Club, and part of the Environmental Club as well. The reason why I wanted to go on an ABST is to learn about different cultures, to travel and to learn more about myself. 

Brittany Miller- I’m Brittany and I am a sophomore, criminal justice major from Cleveland. In my free time I like to dive, bullet journal, and write blogs for the Gannon Edge (check us out!!!) I wanted to travel to Guatemala because I wanted to experience new culture and get to know more students on campus. 

Emily Schneggenburger- Hi! My name is Emily Schneggenburger and I am a freshman Physical Therapy major from Buffalo, NY! I am so excited to travel to Guatemala through Gannon’s ABST program and learn something new about the people, their culture, and the world. I love working alongside others and know that this will be an opportunity of a lifetime! I can’t wait to get started and report back to all of you what we are doing and learning in Guatemala! 

Emilie Farrell- Hi! My name is Emilie Farrell and I am a first-year nursing student. This is my first trip to a third world country. I chose to go to Guatemala because after watching a documentary about how they live I decided that I wanted to do service there someday. After seeing that Guatemala was available as an ABST, I signed up before even talking to my parents about it!

Ashley Cumberledge- Ashley Cumberledge is a freshman physician assistant major at Gannon University. She participates in the American Sign Language club, GUSPAS, and the honors program. This ABST trip will be her first time traveling outside of the country and flying on an airplane.

Scott Zanella- My name is Scott Zanella, and I am a freshman Biology major as well as an affiliate to LECOM. When I am not studying, I am normally playing video games, eating, or writing for the Gannon Knight newspaper. I chose to participate in the ABST program because I wanted to immerse myself in a culture other than my own, while also working to put good out into the world. In Guatemala, I am most excited to form relationships both with my peers and with the people we will be working with. I have only been out of the country one other time on a school trip to Germany, so I am extremely excited for this new experience!

Bridget Marks- Hi I’m Bridget Marks and I am a Freshman PA major from Cleveland! I am so excited to go to Guatemala to learn about their culture and way of living, as well as growing closer to the other members on this trip!

Ally Cowell- Hi I’m Ally Cowell, a freshman physician assistant major from Pittsburgh, PA! I am so excited for Guatemala to experience a new culture and grow in my friendships with my group.

Rebecca Wertz- Hi my name is Rebecca Wertz and I’m a freshman nursing major. I running, traveling, and hanging out with my friends. I wanted to go on an ABST because I love to travel and try new things! I’m so excited to attend the ABST trip to Guatemala and Im excited to create new memories to a place that I have never been to before and step outside my comfort zone!