My Spring Break in Guatemala!

These were my soccer buddies!

While many students choose to relax on the beach or party it up in places like Cancun and South Beach, I spent my spring break volunteering in the small community of Cajola, Guatemala. I've been all over the world throughout my years in college, but this would be my first time in a "third world" country. The trip consisted of 6 other Ramapo students. During the week, our main objective was to paint one of the schools there, and to run an arts and crafts projects with the children in the community. We were also able to experience the culture in Cajola, and interact with the people in the community. Being a Mayan community, it has a very rich and unique culture unlike any other. Many of us spent our free time playing soccer and baseball with the local children. Of course, the children absolutely adored us and were so grateful for all of the attention. While there was fun and games during the trip, there was also a more somber tone to it. The people of Cajola live their lives in constant struggle and poverty everyday. They live in small shacks with limited resources, and not enough money for healthcare and barely enough money to feed their families. The government of Guatemala ignores this small, poor town and lets its people live in poverty. If it actually saw how great the people of Cajola were, maybe something would be done.

I was just glad that I had the opportunity to spend a week in this amazing town and make an impact on its people. I hope that many other Ramapo students in the coming years get the chance to help Cajola, and then maybe they to will feel the love I have for the small, poor, Guatemalan town.