Trip Theme: “Constructing Education: Infrastructural Development of Rural Schools”
Apply: CLOSED
Deadline: October 11, 2019 @ 11:59 pm
Trip Dates: March 13 or 14, 2019 – March 21, 2019 (Flight may depart from LAX on Friday at night)
Description:
We will not ask Professors to excuse any students from their classes, exams, or assignments. We recommend that you make sure that your Spring classes do not have any such commitments on Friday, March 13th in the evening.
Guatemala is an exotic and visually inspiring country with huge volcanoes reaching up to 12,000 feet over crystalline lakes and picturesque towns. Once part of the Mayan Empire, Guatemala is a culturally rich and diverse country that is home to over 20 indigenous languages and a population that is comprised of somewhere around 50% Indigenous people who still maintain their style of dress, traditions, language, and culture.
However, in spite of its rich environmental resources, Guatemala remains one of the poorest countries in the world in terms of GDP. Many Guatemalans travel far and wide to work for large landowning corporations and make only enough money to put food on the table. Over 50% of Guatemalan children suffer from malnutrition and Guatemala’s educational system is currently ranked second among the worst Central American and Caribbean countries. Many children drop out after their first year of school, and there is another mass exodus during the middle school years. Many children lack adequate resources and encouragement on their studies, and families can choose to pull their children out of school to work.
Participants of ASB Guatemala will travel to Retalhuleu, a city in southwestern Guatemala, and partner with a local construction company to upgrade or build necessary structures for the schools in the community. Students will get to spend time with the children in the mornings working on various activities with them and in the afternoon students will transition to assisting with the construction project. If you have more questions about ASB Guatemala send an email to USCasbguatemala@gmail.com.
Approximate Cost: $1,500 USD* per participant