LOCATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION

On May 10, 2007, an enthusiastic group of engineering students, faculty and support personnel from Sweet Briar College and three other schools in the Virginia-North Carolina area traveled to Guatemala. Our objective was to build a 3,500-gallon water storage tank and a spring box to contain a natural spring and protect the water supply for the Institute Mixed with an Orientation in Agriculture (IMOA) in Xix.

Sarah Smiley '09 (left) and Lauren Guyer '09 take a break from construction on a 3,500-gallon water storage tank in Xix, Guatemala. Through careful planning and two weeks of hard work, the team completed the structures, which we hope will eventually provide the school with an adequate supply of water year-round. In preparation for the trip, the students, led by Dr. James Durand, spent an entire semester studying all aspects of the project including the history and culture of the area.

The group was faced with several challenges. Upon arrival, one student leader was ill and had to return to the United States and others were also experiencing symptoms. Fortunately, the symptoms subsided and most team members were able to work consistently throughout the two weeks.

Another challenge was losing electrical power for a couple of days. We had to eat dinner using headlamps, and the little warm water we had for showers was no longer available.

In addition to the storage tank, the crew completed a concrete spring house to protect the school's natural water source.Doing without many of our modern conveniences was a hardship for some of us. Having to trek to the waterfall to collect water for washing dishes and then boil it, eating food that was different and less plentiful, the more primitive lavatory facilities and at times having to go without our daily showers - these conditions gave us a greater appreciation of things we take for granted every day. It also helped some of us to realize that we can get by with a lot less and do just fine.

A highlight for me was accompanying one of our team members and a group from the school on a hike into the mountains one Saturday afternoon. Not only was the scenery beautiful, but the camaraderie of the children, their enthusiasm for being photographed, and their willingness to try to converse with me in my limited Spanish made the experience an enjoyable and memorable one.

The Americans were entertained by traditional Mayan dancers, and even learned a few moves themselves during their off hours.Then, there were the parties. The students, teachers and administrators hosted several events for us, complete with demonstrations of traditional Mayan dances, as well as dancing to modern Mayan music that everyone participated in.

One evening, our group reciprocated by hosting a party for the school. Our wilderness medicine specialist, Paul Stern, cooked more than 100 chocolate chip pancakes, and our team served them to an eager group of students. Following this meal, our college students prepared a pinata game for the IMOA students. There were also firecrackers and, of course, dancing. A good time was had by all.

A view of the school.We gave this community two structures and some hard labor, but what we came away with was much more. The warmth and friendliness of IMOA's director, Jose Itzep, and the students and teachers at the school touched our hearts. It was refreshing to be around appreciative and hardworking children whose simple lives were unencumbered by the technology and distractions of youth in contemporary western culture.

IMOA founder Ramelle Gonzalez's hospitality to our group, which included hosting us at her beautiful home in Antigua, made our coming and going most enjoyable. Her dedication in founding the school and offering these wonderful educational opportunities to Mayan youths will leave a tremendous legacy, and it was exciting to play even a small part in this worthwhile enterprise.

One of our local newspapers recently described our project as "A Gift to Guatemala," but the greatest gift was perhaps the positive, life-changing experience this was for the members of our team.