Service Learning in Guatemala
During the winter break of 2015 I traveled to Guatemala for a 15 day experience. The first week was spent in a section of Guatemala City, Mixco. During this time I shadowed at the Clinica Comunitaria de Daniel Comboni and lived with a Sister of Charity, Sister Sarah Mulligan, and my fellow classmate, Emily Heine. The following week was spent working with Serve Beyond Cincinnati (SBC) in a conjunction with Homes from the Heart, a division of Habitat for Humanity. During the second week I served several mountain villages and worked with families to build chicken coups, a roof of a house, stoves with outdoor ventilation. I also had the opportunity to visit several historic cities in Guatemala: Antigua, San Pedro, Patzia, and San Andres Itzapa.
I chose to participate in this experience because I wanted to learn about Guatemalan culture, the health care system, and to develop my language skills. I can confidently say that I accomplished each of these objectives. I was able to shadow physicians at the clinic and to observe community programs including: diabetes awareness, nutritional information, generation income, and adult education programs. During my time with SBC I was able to build relationships with the community and to learn about family life. Over all I also learned about larger public systems including: the government, education, and health care. In the future I hope to apply what I have learned in my service in local clinics in Clifton. I also hope to further develop my language skills because I appreciate the importance of being able to communicate effectively and intentionally.
I chose to participate in this experience because I wanted to learn about Guatemalan culture, the health care system, and to develop my language skills. I can confidently say that I accomplished each of these objectives. I was able to shadow physicians at the clinic and to observe community programs including: diabetes awareness, nutritional information, generation income, and adult education programs. During my time with SBC I was able to build relationships with the community and to learn about family life. Over all I also learned about larger public systems including: the government, education, and health care. In the future I hope to apply what I have learned in my service in local clinics in Clifton. I also hope to further develop my language skills because I appreciate the importance of being able to communicate effectively and intentionally.
During my time in Guatemala I kept a daily blog.
Artifact
This gallery of pictures depict represent my favorite, people, places, and things from the Service Learning Trip to Guatemala. While I was in Guatemala I learned about the importance of a willing spirit, to appreciate the small things in life, and to live in balance with nature. Each person depicted taught me a small part of each lesson. Each place and object gave me an opportunity to become integrated in the culture. My hope is that these pictures will carry new meanings for each viewer, but that they will also share the specific lessons that I learned.
Reflective Essay
For more information on my experience in Guatemala please read my reflective essay attached below.
guatemala_experiential_learning.doc | |
File Size: | 69 kb |
File Type: | doc |