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Over February vacation, School the World gave me the unforgettable opportunity to visit the community of Capuchinas in Guatemala. As we departed Logan International Airport in Boston on an early Saturday morning, I looked forward to painting classrooms and building a playground for the kids in Capuchinas. However, after spending just a week in Guatemala, I can say that I learned so much more than I ever would have imagined. This experience has opened my eyes to the heartbreaking reality of poverty and malnutrition in Guatemala. After seeing many families endure unimaginable living conditions and hardships, I have realized that there is a multitude of privileges in my life that I often take for granted.

Every day, I was amazed by the kindness, eagerness, and unity of the entire community. It was so powerful to see the dedication from the people of Capuchinas to improve their quality of education; from the littlest kids who were not even old enough to attend school to our veteran van drivers, everyone grabbed a paintbrush to paint the school.

Even prior to the completion of the new school, when the kids learned in makeshift classroom areas, such as a kitchen, the learning environment was just as engaging. As I watched the kids jump out of their seats with their hands raised and their faces lit up in excitement after answering the teacher’s question, I told myself that I would bring their passion and enthusiasm for learning back with me to the United States.

With each new year of service comes an excitement for new experiences and an eagerness to welcome new students to our mission, but it is also an opportunity to shine a light on the sustained engagement of our World Changers. An inspiration to all, these individuals have devoted their school vacations to giving back through School The World service trips for three or even four years, enriching their worldviews and illuminating their passion for learning. While other high schoolers are cramming for exams or catching up on their favorite TV show, our World Changers are reflecting on their service trips and brainstorming ways to intensify their impact on making education accessible to all. They are each able to pinpoint particularly poignant moments from past trips, illustrating the lasting impression their service has left in their hearts and motivating them to continue to incorporate this important work throughout their future endeavors.

Kate, Founder of School the World, happens to be my aunt. That doesn’t mean that my participation with School the World (STW) was built into my trajectory due to family ties. Although I was intrigued about School the World’s work at a young age through my discussions with Kate, in all honesty I wanted to travel to Costa Rica for Surf & Serve prior to even considering STW’s Service Learning Program in Guatemala. However, at the time, my aunts had recently traveled to Guatemala with Kate and quickly shot down the idea of Costa Rica, convincing me that the best way to leave the country for the first time would be with a group of friends and School the World.