I think I have had positive impacts when I co-lead engaging activities with patojos (Guatemalan specific term for youth) to Comadronas (Indigenous midwives), when I greet people around town with a smile on my face or go for runs in my community demonstrating a healthy habit and that girls are athletes too, and when I use the few phrases of Mam I know, Palestina’s Indigenous Mayan language, to build confianza (trust) and show interest in the beautiful Indigenous, majority culture, of Palestina.
However, more than that, in one year of service I have completed, I know the people I have met and Guatemala have had a much more significant positive impact on me than I have had on them, or will be able to during my remaining twelve months. My Spanish has improved exponentially thanks to the help of language teachers, my community, and strangers who are willing to converse. My future feels more clear, thanks to the experiences I have gained, I think most likely I will do something that involves counseling and vulnerable youth. My hopes that we can work towards a more just and equitable world have flourished seeing the passion, empathy, and hard work around me.
With that being said, why should you, Ms.
