By Tiffany Crockett

Surfing waves in Cancun, sleeping in every day, having a show marathon were not at all part of my spring break, instead working alongside one of the poorest villages in Guatemala was what my “break” consisted of. It was hard, heart breaking and eye opening, smelly and one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

Think of poverty and then times it by a million…add dirt floors, 11 people living in a one bedroom home, no running water, and the genuine smiles of the Guatemalan’s that I befriended. Visualize this then you can get a feel for my spring vacation.

I heard about this trip through the Rotaract club. At the time I was writing a paper about the water crisis in Africa and knew it was a sign I needed to start fundraising and pack my bags alongside my muscles. Partners in Development were the company I went with. PID has been helping the “poorest of the poor” since 1990, even are helping areas in our own country (Mississippi and North Dakota).

I had a great hands experience and an educational opportunity by traveling with Norman Labby who is head of the Kennebec Water District. The physics, sand cleaning and filtration of water delivery were taught and before I knew it I was setting up water filters in the homes of grateful villagers. These systems play a large role in saving people from parasites that take lives. These water filters were made out simple materials averaging out to about 20$ each!

A Journal Entry: 3.12.14

Wow. Where to begin. Well first of all I am using this red pen and yellow paper because I gave all of my paper to my little amigos and almost all of my pens! Just to receive pen and paper was such a gift to them, even minutes after giving away my writing material they kept asking if it was still ok for them to keep it. Also bringing a soccer ball was heaven sent! A lot of these kids literally have nothing. I’ve been here four days and I have two lil’ ones following me around, Catherine and Brian. Those kids smile and gratitude could feed me for months.

 My feet are raw and fingertips are getting there. Sifting/cleaning sand, installing the filters in homes, being the “jefe” of the children on sand duty, digging trenches for a bathroom that a family of 11 will be using….My heart is OPEN.

 Last night I was in the dining area of the hotel when I saw a man fall off his motorcycle..there was no one there with him (keep in mind streets in Guatemala as most developing countries are very fast, do not have rules and those that ride motorcycles usually don’t wear helmets). I ran down to the others and felt the blood drain from my face when I spit out “There’s been an accident, does anybody know first aid cpr?” I was so out of it from the shock that I completely forgot my roommate here is a nurse..she ran up and tried to help. The ambulance was already there and the paramedics immediately tried taking off his backpack instead of taking vitals and talking to him. Although he was not dead they were already claiming him as a goner by their responses. Long story short: they don’t do it like they do in the Estados Unidos and he did pass away that night.

Please reflect on your gratitude from living in the US. Upon arrival back home I felt so guilty for living in such a plentiful and opportunity filled country but realized there’s nothing I can do about it, only at the end of the day I should count my blessings and keep on helping as much as I can.