What inspired you to work for your organization?
I was inspired to work for this organization because I found their approach to development to be unique and highly beneficial in the long-run. As a grassroots organization, we started off working locally, but are slowly expanding to other parts of Guatemala. We are not throwing money at a problem, but collaborating with the community in a democratic way, and supporting them in solving their own problems. We are leaving tools and values around sustainability and democratic education that we believe is making systemic change in Guatemala.
With our March 2019 Green Building Academy students in front of the house they built during the month-long course.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is how I am able to learn more about large issues on a local level, and actually listen to, share, and interact with the people we are trying to help.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My educational and professional background is in business strategy, primarily for large organizations. I have been able to utilize the analytical and problem-solving skills I have developed in strategy for the organization, as well as financially analytical skills and implementation abilities. I have an international background as I grew up in Hong Kong and spent significant time living in and traveling in developing countries, which allows me to be open-minded, flexible, and conscientious.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Challenges I face involve working for a smaller organizations with fewer resources. Jobs are often spread thin between staff members, which can mean the workload and responsibility can be very high. It is also difficult working for an organization with few structures, planning, and processes. I overcome them by making sure my work is as efficient as possible, that I am accountable and help others to be accountable to their work, and am creating structures in place now, that will allow the organization itself to be efficient in the future.
Taking a selfie with some students from our school.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I have just designed, formatted, edited, and published our own book "A Guide to Green Building". I am doing the strategic planning for 2019 for the organization. I am also analyzing historical financials and creating statistics and data on our impact in Guatemala. I am also responsible for several fundraising and income sources. In addition, I am in the process of creating a new finance tracking system, and training other staff to use this effectively.
What makes your organization special?
The synthesis and symbiosis of our green building and educational model together is truly unique. Our organization highlights the importance of both, and how to integrate them into a society from the ground level up.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
I hope that we will be able to partner with other schools, non-profits, or anybody looking to do green building, and spread our model of democratic education. Right now we are experiencing an expansion to other areas in Guatemala, as well as other countries worldwide.
Working on a volcano relief center in Alotenango.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
For those interested in volunteering with us, our experience is holistic. We provide the opportunity to work and learn about green building skills and techniques whilst being on a beautiful green-built campus in Guatemala and witnessing our democratic education model up-close. We are also in a completely local town of Comalapa with a large Mayan and traditional population.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants will take away the importance and implementation of our mission. I hope they will gain a deeper understanding of what it means to travel with purpose and with respect for local communities. That although this is a volunteer position, there is so much to learn from those we are trying to help, and that it is partnership instead of a giveaway.
How do you help support participants?
We help support participants by providing them as meaningful of an experience as possible. We pair volunteers with local green builders here, either working in groups or individually, and set up accommodation for them. We understand some participants may have had little to no experience traveling, so we make an effort to answer as many questions as possible, to share our own experience, and to ensure they are prepared and comfortable once here.
After we finished building a retaining wall for a family in Xiquin out of old, stuffed tires.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is important for people to travel abroad because it expands everything we know about ourselves and our society. It allows us to gain self-awareness of our own cultures and lifestyles, and an appreciation of all differences between different types of individuals. It teaches us about important issues and unknown beauties, whilst allowing us to re-evaluate our roles within this world. It develops skills of open-mindedness, adaptability, respect, and appreciation.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is travel that is held in respect of your role as a guest in the country. It means being conscientious of your behavior, actions, and activities in the country, and furthermore, evaluating the exchange of ideas, money, and culture you share and receive. It means having a curious mind and an open heart.
What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial & educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?
There are certain international education programs that impose values and systems from their own countries, in the belief that that system is superior. I believe that every community is different, and that every community has the capacity and right to take on leadership in the way they are being shaped. Development for one area might look different in another, and we are not to say what is best for another. I think honest intention, exchange of ideas, collaboration and partnership are integral.
