MKA Students Explore Global Experiences For Spring Break And Help Build Homes In Guatemala

During spring break 2015 while some students were traveling to beaches for a much needed mid-semester break, 20 intrepid MKA students and 4 MKA teachers traveled to Guatemala to build homes with the nonprofit organization From Houses to Homes (De Casas a Hogares). Teams of 5 students and a chaperone each worked diligently all week to build a home for a family living in a town near Antigua. The work was hard, the hours were long, but the result was great! During the week students interacted with the families, learning their stories and bonding with them. The people of Guatemala are very kind and loving, which made all the hard work seem a little bit easier.

The nonprofit organization From Houses to Homes not only provides houses for families in need, but also provides free education and healthcare. These are the three most important factors necessary to help people lift themselves out of poverty. The large group photo shows MKA students standing in the center of the school where the children are educated. The other photos show what everyone looked like after painting the houses and giving the keys to the new owners. We also hiked up Pacaya volcano and did some fun nighttime photography with a toy light-up sword.

Each student came away from this journey with a newfound respect for cultures different from their own and with a new sense of community. They grew to appreciate both the global community with their new friends in Guatemala and the MKA community, that is filled with passionate, charitable people. It was an incredible adventure that changed the lives of everyone involved, whether they live in the USA or Guatemala.

For more pictures from the trip please click HERE