Trip to Guatemala 

The time for my mom and I to go to Guatemala, a country in central America, is almost here!  I particularly am exited to go because it’s going to be my first time leaving the United States. And as a bonus for traveling  with a charity group called common hope, I get to help people but unfortunately I only get to go for a week and I wish the trip was a little bit longer so I had time to do other things like hike a mountain or go to a different city.As much as I think this will be a fun trip all of the waiting for our passports was a little annoying witch, by the way we just received our passports!   I think the passports make the trip feel more real when I have them in my hand.  As well as being my first time leaving the country, I will be going with some of my friends from school, yay!  I am also going to try to take photos and videos wile we are there with my GoPro and I think it’s going to be a fun experience and if I receive another chance to go I would. 

                               Written by Baby Dragon 

 

Please consider donating to a GoFundMe campaign to help us raise funds.
gofundme.com/agk68h-guatemala-2019

Now a word from the little guy.....

Before we committed to this project Royce and I had a discussion about expectations. He is going to be doing a little blogging to keep his family up to date on the process and help us learn some things about Guatemala before we go. This will help us both be more invested in the projects we help with. Here is the introduction letter Royce originally sent to his family.

Dear family,

Hi.  I’m writing because I would like to go on a school trip that only the sixth graders are able to go on.  The trip will be to Guatemala and it will take place over seven days taking place on July 7-July 14 with the plane rides on July 7 and 14. During the trip there will be several activities including helping build houses and visiting family that live in Guatemala. Other activities will include participating in a “Day-in-the-life” experience. Some other activities will be on the web page “ http://www.commonhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-Vision-Team-Guide-WEB-VERSION.pdf" Unfortunately I don’t have  enough money to go so I am asking if you could help pay for my mom and I to go. The cost of the whole trip is $5000.  Some things we would be able to do that is not the activities that have planed are being able to try their food and see the views they have in Guatemala.  I hope you are able to help us afford to go on the school trip.

Sincerely yours,

Royce

Guatemala 2019

It's official! We've decided to sign up for an adventure, Guatemala 2019!.

Our 6th grader, BabyDragon, and I will be participating in a service trip to Guatemala this summer. Our trip will be through the organization Common Hope  and we will be going to Antigua, Guatemala. Common Hope is a non profit focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through education. We will be working on service projects through Common Hope "Fighting poverty through diplomas" focused on improving the lives of locals through improved housing, educational opportunities and healthcare. This is a great opportunity to learn more about another culture and put this whole Spanish immersion education to work.

I am so excited that an opportunity like this was presented. This is BabyDragon's last year of a full Spanish immersion environment. When I think of how far he's come since walking into kindergarten with ZERO Spanish words to now, I am so impressed. BabyDragon is able to read and write fluently in English and Spanish thanks to the wonderful work of his teachers and school team at Eagle Heights. I am hoping this trip feels like something special for working so hard and learning two languages. I am hoping he feels encouraged to continue his Spanish studies and realizes how far you can go when you speak more than one language. ~Don't get me started on the lack of language development in the US.~ We found out that two close friends will also be participating in this trip! I am hoping the three boys make memories in the week long trip that last a lifetime!

The major downside is cost, the cost of travel and the program we have committed to is not small. We will be working on fundraising for the next several months to help us with our travels. All money raised will be used to fund the trip and the fundraising goal set by Common Hope. We hope you will join us on our ride! Please consider donating to our campaign.

We plan to update this site with things we learn about Guatemala and our plans in the next several months. Once we are traveling we will update the blog with our experience and hope to have photos and exciting tales to share. Now if only I could find a way to add a count down ticker.....

 Please consider donating to a GoFundMe campaign to help us raise funds.
gofundme.com/agk68h-guatemala-2019