I came down to Guatemala not really knowing what exactly I was going to do or how I was going to be able to help.  On my application, I made sure to include “willing to be open to different jobs, tasks, positions.”  I couldn’t have imagined how much that flexibility would allow me to contribute.

Since the second or third day, I found myself lending a hand in the computer department and ended up working there for about 9 months.  It took a little while getting used to the idea of being a behind-the-scenes volunteer instead of being out on the front lines helping Guatemalans in the communities, but it was really satisfying being able to jump right into things and be productive in an area that really needed a lot of work.

After nearly a year had passed, I switched positions and started working in the clinic doing community health promotion.  It was the hands-on experience that I was missing before.  However, I found there were some unexpected limitations that came along with this position as well.  Let’s face it, there’s only so much a young, white, American male can say to a Guatemalan indigenous woman about cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and the benefits of breast feeding.  I quickly had to reassess what I had to offer this community. 

There were days when, understandably, women in the clinic didn’t feel comfortable having a male in the room, so as eager as I was to help, the best way to do that was to step out of the room and respect their privacy.  Many times I was only able to help by giving someone a ride or helping carry things and set up for an event.  But, by being patient and willing, I was able to find different ways to help and eventually some great opportunities arose.  One particular health fair I was asked to help check school children’s teeth, weigh and measure children to check for malnutrition, and even take blood samples to check for anemia. 

One of the most enjoyable things about my position was the opportunity to get to know people in the community and to hear their stories.  Every so often we take bags of food to specially affiliated ancianas (elderly women) in the communities who, for whatever reason, need a little extra support.  They all have very difficult situations, but their personalities and appreciation make each visit a really heart-warming experience.  On several occasions I accompanied a woman to the national hospital in Guatemala City so that her son could have operations on his foot which was badly infected.  These are things I never imagined doing before coming down here, but these basic things can be a big help.

There are still days when I question how valuable my contribution is. Then other days I'm made to realize the ways in which I help without even knowing, and how significant some of those things I overlook can be.  Even though my experience hasn’t exactly lined up with the vision I had at the beginning, it’s been extremely valuable.  It’s taught me that opportunities will present themselves to those who are patient and willing to make themselves available to help in any way possible. 

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