İ Go Guatemala

About St. Jerome’s University… St. Jerome’s University is a Catholic University founded in 1865 and is federated with the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. St. Jerome’s prides itself on an educational model of “educating the whole person.” An emphasis is placed on experiential learning and opportunities for students to engage in learning outside of the classroom.

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About the Go Guatemala Initiative… St. Jerome’s University has partnered with Friends of the Orphans to assist in educating our participants as global citizens. Through pre-departure sessions and the international travel experience, participants will reinforce foundations of responsible citizenship.

Beyond U Service Learning Trip

About Friends of the Orphans NPH is the abbreviation for Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, which is Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”. A 40-year-old non-profit organization, Friends of the Orphans supports the NPH homes and their outreach programs through fundraising and volunteer efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean. Friends of the Orphans is dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children by creating families for life through values of unconditional love, shared responsibility and education. This enables children to grow into caring and productive members of their communities. NPH Guatemala is located in San Andres, Itzapa. The Orphanage is home to more than 350 children. Presently, the orphanage consists of a school building, kitchen and dining hall, four workshops, eight volunteer houses, an eight-thousand-square-foot medical clinic, administrative offices, and twenty-five acres of cultivated land.      

About the NPH Orphanage Student and adult groups from Southern Ontario have taken part in trips to the NPH Orphanage in Guatemala for over 10 years through the non-profit organization, Friends of the Orphans. In that time, much has been accomplished. Groups have helped with construction projects, worked in the kitchen and garden, become classroom helpers, assisted with special needs children and lent a hand in the Babies’ House.

Program Background

 

Participant Selection    

Participants must participate in eight pre-departure sessions, a weekend retreat, and a reintegration seminar upon return. Group meetings occur on a bi-weekly basis beginning in October.

Students presently living in SJU Residence who wish to participate in a service learning experience should look at applying to the SJU in Peru initiative. Students who do not fall within the application parameters may speak with the Student Life Coordinator to discuss eligibility. Upon completion and submission of an application, applicants will be invited for an interview.

R in at least their 2A term; R living off-campus; R have some connection to the SJU

Community*; and R have a proven interest in awareness of

issues pertaining to development and social justice.

Students  interested  in  participating  in  the  Go  Guatemala  initiative  must  be:

Successful applicants will be required to cover all travel costs to and from Guatemala, as well as any incidental fees. Participants will fundraise as a group for supplies the orphanage requires for either construction projects or their day-to-day costs associated with feeding, educating, clothing and caring for the 350 children at NPH Guatemala.

The Go Guatemala initiative requires a high level of dedication from all participants. Participants will be required to actively engage in pre-departure education as a means of preparation for this specific international experience.

* SJU Community includes, but is not limited to: academically registered students; students who lived in SJU residence; and students who belong to the SCC Community.

Day 1: Travel Day Depart from Toronto.

Arrive in Guatemala City. Bus to San Andres and the Orphanage.

Day 2:

All day at Orphanage. Jobs range from construction, painting, gardening, kitchen help, Babies’ House and Special Needs

assistance. Evening Spanish and dance lessons.

Day 3:

All day at Orphanage. Evening Spanish and dance lessons

Day 4:

Mass at the Cathedral in Antigua. Bus to Chichicastenango, an ancient Mayan market town.

Dinner back at Orphanage.

Day 5/ 6: All day at Orphanage.

Evening Spanish and dance lessons.

Trip Itinerary    

Day 7: Half day work schedule.

Afternoon trip to the old colonial capital of Antigua.

Day 8: All day at Orphanage.

Day 9/10:

Lakeside resort town of Panajachel and Lake Atitlan. Night in Panajachel.

Day 11: Travel Day Flight from Antigua. Arrive in Toronto.

Go Guatemala Participant and Program Outcomes Through the pre-departure workshops, retreats and international volunteer experience, all students participating in the Go Guatemala initiative will:   In General:

- obtain insights that will lead to a more global perspective on social justice issues; and

- gain an understanding of global, social, economic and political structures, and the forces that influence these structures.

In Guatemala:

- reflect on experiences of social action and deepen an understanding and commitment to promoting social responsibility;

- deepen a sense of solidarity with the Guatemalan people through experiences with the children at the orphanage;

- respect and affirm the diversity and interdependence of the Guatemalan and Canadian peoples and cultures through witnessing the mutual contributions of each through the vehicle of the orphanage;

- respect and understand the history of the Mayan and Guatemalan people, their cultural heritage and the contributions they have made to contemporary society; and

- deepen the formation of social conscience through reflecting on experiences; - be witness to the Guatemalan people and the power of faith communities to

shape social change.

In Canada: - share experiences to the wider community through the service provided to

the orphanage; - encourage participants to continue their education and action in Canada;

and - become collaborative contributors by understanding the impact they are

able to make in their own lives, their families’ lives, their community life, the life of their nation, and to the lives of people in less-developed countries.  

Costs Friends of the Orphans handles all travel accommodations and bookings. As a result of this arrangement, all money contributed towards this experience is tax deductible. The cost is $2,200*. The $2,200 covers all travel costs to, from and within Guatemala, all excursions, and most meals. Additional expenses would include comprehensive travel insurance, vaccinations, and spending money. The travel insurance included with the flight covers cancellation for medically accepted reasons only. * Given ever-increasing costs associate with air travel, the price may fluctuate.

 

290 Westmount Road North, Waterloo ON Canada N2L 3G3 Tel. 519-884-8111, ext. 28282 • Fax 519-884-5759

www.sju.ca

Applications due: Friday, September 23 at 4:00 PM

to Reception in the SJU Administrative Building.

For questions please speak with Amanda Grobbecker,  

Student Life Coordinator  519-884-8110 x28282  

ajgrobbecker@uwaterloo.ca