Another year, another Summer Tour season in the books—and as always, this one was full of incredible experiences!
The Helping Hands Tour is a special opportunity to connect with Spark students over the course of a week, and every year it’s a heartwarming reminder that people can laugh and share in joy together even with a language barrier. On top of having fun with the Spark students, tour participants got to see our awesome Spark teachers in action, meet Rise students and their families, and learn about Guatemalan culture, all while getting a firsthand look at the impact CoEd programs make.
We have countless memories from this summer that we’ll treasure, but here are just a few of our favorites. There are so many more exciting things to experience on tour, so don’t miss out! Join us on tour next year and see the rest for yourself!
#6: Painting with Students in Santa Cruz Balanyá
The school we visited in Santa Cruz Balanyá was brightened up by not just the vibrant paint but the smiles of our students and tour participants too! Even with a language barrier, working alongside our Spark students led to so many laughs and unforgettable memories.
#5: Learning About Guatemalan Culture & Heritage
Guatemala is home to fascinating archeological sites from pre-Columbian Maya civilization, and we had the honor of seeing Iximche, the former capital of the Kaqchikel Maya, and learning about the history from a Kaqchikel tour guide. On our August tour, we visited a weaving cooperative—another CoEd tradition! The skilled weavers at Casa Flor Ixcaco demonstrated different aspects of the weaving process and wowed us with their craftsmanship.
#4: Visiting Some of Our Awesome Rise Students
Our Rise students and their families were kind enough to welcome us into their homes, where we got to hear their stories, play games, and even try home-cooked Guatemalan food! The hospitality and kindness of these families was unforgettable and truly made the trip special.
#3: Having Fun with Rise Students and Facilitators
We had a blast dancing with our Rise students and facilitators, especially thanks to the facilitators in their silly costumes! We were also blown away by the talents of the Rise students, who put on a beautiful folklórico performance for us.
#2: Seeing Spark Students Succeed
There’s nothing quite like seeing the impact of CoEd’s programs in action. We were so excited to see our awesome Spark teachers give a classroom demonstration, and we even got to read books with the Spark students!
#1: Sharing Smiles and Laughs
Laughter knows no language barrier and our tours are always proof of this. We loved seeing tour participants have fun with students, teachers, and their families—whether they were playing games, blowing bubbles, or just being silly together!
Time and time again, the connections we make on tours remind us that our shared humanity is greater than the borders that separate us. This is what inspires the work that we do.
