Our family’s Christmas adventure in Guatemala was a transformative experience, guided by the desire to impart the true meaning of the holiday to our children. During our Christmas week, my husband, our two kids aged 12 and 10, and I embarked on a journey filled with moments of joy, compassion, and self-discovery. For some background, my husband and I decided that our kids needed to see what the world was like. After the last Christmas when they fought because one had one present more than the other, we were shocked at how Christmas had become about who gets more, and how “unfair” it was if they didn’t get all the gifts that they wanted. We are wholly to blame for this, and we needed to do something to educate our kids.
Upon our arrival in Guatemala, we were immediately struck by the warmth of its people and the richness of its culture. Our decision to embark on this journey was inspired by a desire to move beyond the materialistic aspects of Christmas and to embrace the spirit of sharing and giving. To ensure a smooth and enriching experience, we chose Maximo Nivel, a local organization renowned for its commitment to community engagement. Without Maximo Nivel, we wouldn’t have known where to start. Guatemala was an easy choice because of the convenience of a short 3-hour flight from home.
Maximo Nivel played a pivotal role in facilitating our volunteer activities and providing us with invaluable support throughout our stay. From the moment we arrived, their team greeted us with open arms, offering guidance and assistance every step of the way. Their thorough orientation gave us insight into Guatemalan customs and traditions, empowering us to immerse ourselves fully in the local community. Our days were spent engaging in meaningful volunteer work, from planning a Christmas party for children to spending time with the elderly at a care facility. Maximo Nivel’s presence made each experience more fulfilling, as we never felt alone in our endeavors. Their field managers accompanied us to volunteer placements, ensuring that we felt supported and confident in our interactions with the local community.
One of the highlights of our trip was participating in holiday parties organized for the children and elderly residents. Together, we wrapped gifts, played games, danced, and shared laughter and joy with those in attendance. Our son had a great time playing soccer with the kids and our daughter was giggling along with the other girls while she had made friends with them despite the language barrier and having just met them. It was a humbling experience to witness the sheer gratitude and happiness on the faces of the people we met, reminding us of the true spirit of Christmas. Throughout our journey, we encountered moments of cultural differences and faced the harsh realities of poverty and hardship. Yet, these challenges only served to strengthen our resolve and deepen our appreciation for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
We made some good friends along the way too, meeting other volunteers and families who had the same idea. We hope to see some of them again, maybe on our next Christmas volunteering trip, maybe Costa Rica or Peru. Besides the other foreigners, our daughter has made contact through social media with a few of the girls she met in Guatemala, and she is convinced she is going to spend a gap-year in Guatemala after high school, teaching English or doing environmental conservation work so she can meet up with her new friends. Our next goal as a family is to start learning Spanish so we can connect better with the locals when we return to Latin America.
We look forward to our next family Christmas, my daughter already asked me who we’re going to help next Christmas, and at the time of writing this we haven’t received any requests from Santa. The kids really learned the value of giving back and what privileged lives they live. Through our experiences, our children gained a newfound understanding of the importance of empathy, compassion, and generosity. They learned that the true joy of Christmas lies not in the gifts we receive but, in the love and kindness we share with others. As we boarded the plane home, our hearts were full, knowing that we had embarked on a journey that would forever shape our lives. Our time in Guatemala was more than just a holiday; it was a testament to the power of love, compassion, and community. And as we returned home, we carried with us the memories of our time in Guatemala, forever grateful for the opportunity to spread hope and joy during the holiday season.