Expression Week
You know all those special activities you had in Middle School? Like talent shows, science fairs, and field day? Well, here in Guatemala we do them all in the same week. It’s called “Expression Week” and it’s the wildest, busiest,…
Category Stories
Monte Cristo Poems
The dirtcheek boys on the grassless patio Throw stone and dirtlcod at the mango trees El chucho viejo limps raggedly away From the children playing cornstalk apache —————– Fuego billows again; black cloud sky writer Chimaltecos sleep cold for the…
Last Week in Thailand
After being in Thailand for almost 6 months, I am sad to say that it is finally over. Students are home, my small home is cleaned, and my bags are almost packed. Today I had the opportunity to visit the…
Gardening, part 4: soil experiment
As I mentioned in my first post, Black Bug Invasion, the recent destruction of our tea crop has given us the opportunity to reassess the gardening techniques we use and to experiment with new approaches. One way we’re doing this…
Belmont Came to Visit!
Two weeks ago, Belmont Study Abroad came to study fair-trade coffee farming and international business here in Guatemala. This trip has special meaning for Eric and I because it’s how we met and also what inspired us to lead the…
Gardening, Part 3: DIY organic fertilizer!
Yesterday in the garden we fertilized the tea plants. We have two fertilizer mixtures we use, and we try to set aside one day each week to use one or the other. I’m going to share both the recipes with…
Thanks Belmont
Our schedule over the last two weeks has been consumed by visitors from the US. It started with Brennon, a good buddy from my college days that was with me during the early stages of Spring Back Recycling. In two…
Worth
worth: 1. good or important enough to justify (what is specified): advice worth taking; a place worth visiting. 2. having a value of, or equal in value to… The last two weeks have had their fair share of adventures! As I come to work everyday, I am utterly amazed at what is being done in the fight to end injustice here in South Africa- and what…
Surprised by Generosity
This past week I’ve been reminded of the generosity of my Belmont community. We’ve been preparing for the study abroad group that’s coming to CEMOC this Saturday. They’re going to tour the facilities; meet our students, volunteer, and spend the…
Belmont in Guatemala
In a few days, a large group of students from Belmont will be arriving in Guatemala for a trip that will no doubt change them in some profound way. I stepped off the plane almost four years ago in the…