October in Guatemala

31 days in Guatemala can go very fast or very slow. Many exciting new things have happened since the day we touched down. Now looking back and seeing images of those days reminds me of how lucky I am to have such an extraordinary group of Fellows learning and working here in my homeland. They are truly exceptional and have overcome so many challenges. The beginning of an adventure like this is not easy for anyone. With that in mind, I want to share some pictures to recognize those first impressions and celebrate those memories looking towards the future of our time here in Guatemala.

After the second day in country, the Fellows started living in the town of Santo Tomas Milpas Altas, Sacatepequez with individual home-stay families. Fellows traveled early mornings from their house to Antigua Guatemala everyday in a camioneta to attend 4 hours of one-on-one spanish instruction and various activities in the afternoons, such as  discussions on economic development and current events, news article sharing, non-profit organization and school visits, project training and others. Fellows also had the oportunity to meet groups of entrepreneurial women working with Soluciones Comunitarias and shadow them during a publicity campaign in the comunity of La Esperanza, Escuintla. A few days later they returned to help with a free eye exam campaign and expand access to products that improve the health of poor people. Also during the month of October the Fellows got the chance to hike up the active Pacaya volcano (2750 mts) where they roasted marshmellows over lava; On another excursion the Fellows bathed in the water of the Pacific Ocean and contemplate the black sand beach of Monterico, Santa Rosa.

Since the beginning of November the Fellows have been divided into two regions, where they are working with distinct NGO’s, all dedicated to education and youth. Fellows are helping to contribute with their own initiatives as well as working together to design an educational website for students in those regions of Guatemala.

Warm saludos from Guatemala

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Photos from Senegal

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US Training Video Feed

A collection of videos from the US Training Institute (September 19 – October 1, 2009).

7 minute overview

Outward Bound
GCY Fellows participate in an all-day team building training facilitated by Outward Bound.

Center for Creative Leadership
GCY Fellows are asked to create an artistic interpretation of leadership.

Dr. David Abernethy on International Development (Part 1)Stanford Professor, David Abernethy holds a session on the fundamentals of international development. Topics in Part 1 include measurement, the environmental consequences of development, and how the American ethos of “change and progress” may be received by communities around the world.

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The Fellows Send-Off Reception

I could not describe the evening and its significance any better than Patrick O’Heffernan of Social Edge.  I have included an excerpt from his article on Social Edge below.

“Last week, when I pulled up in an old VW next to the walled compound where I was supposed to meet the young Americans preparing to work in the bush the power was out and the street was pitch black. But no problem. The hostess was prepared with candles and the meeting room and the lush topical garden flickered with dozens of tiny flames. Women in colorful robes and dresses and men in shiny suites milled noisily around an outdoor fire to keep warm as the hot day slid into a chilly night. Food was plentiful as the hostess had wisely ordered a kitchen truck with its own generator to serve native dishes.

The first night of Peace Corp volunteers in Africa or Asia?

No, it was a home in a suburb of  San Francisco and the event was the send off party for the first class of the Global Citizen Year Fellows who were going Senegal and Guatemala a few days later to live with families in a rural communities. They had recently completed 12 days of intensive training by youth development experts and social entrepreneurs on social innovation and sustainable development. Now they were ready to put it to work. They were the inaugural class of Global Citizen Year and they were going to change the world. And they will.” Read the article –>

Related post: US Training Video Feed

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US Training: Days 1-3 (photos)

(Petaluma, CA)  We have just finished the 3rd day of the US Training Institute.  Here are the highlights in photos.

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