Engineering Service-Learning in Guatemala

 

The Lake Atitlan Region is known by many for its natural beauty and attracts many tourists annually. What is sometimes missed the the poverty and discriminations experienced by many of the local Mayan Families around the lake. Within these homes, Kaqchiquel is the language which is known as spoken. Yet, this prevalent language in Guatemala is not recognized. This means elections, education, and all official business is done in Spanish. This prevents many from getting a quality education as they are “beat” by their peers who have spoken Spanish from a young age and can understand the instruction. The same goes for government. These marginalized people struggle to participate simply because they do not speak Spanish.

Mayan Families is a non profit organization that focuses on community development to enable the Mayan. This was the local NGO that we from OSU collaborate with. They aim to Empower, Educate, and Enrich. They provide preschool education for young children to enable them to be bilingual in their native tongue and Spanish, provide these children’s with nutritious food, and provide the parents with some time to accomplish some tasks while the children are cared for. They also provide cook-stoves which dramatically improve the way of life. This is done by ensuring the smoke does not remain in the one-rooms homes so there are fewer respiratory issues for children and the elderly, but it also dramatically saves costs as it burns woods significantly more efficiently.

When we were in Guatemala, we installed several cookstoves, did some STEM outreach activities at the Preschool, fed the elderly, but also shared our academic abilities by doing some engineering projects. I was part of the Water Testing team where we compared several water sources and assessed several key indicators which provide key information about the water. Other groups explored a rain water harvesting system for a community garden, etc.

The most obvious takeaway was of course recognizing how little certain people may have financially speaking in the world, and how my actions though small compared to their plight, can provide a significant impact that they would appreciate. But what I felt was the bigger takeaway is that poor is merely a word of perspective. Making less than a dollar a day is defined as extremely poverty, but these people have so much that we ought to learn from. Their value in families and community are so strong. These are values which all cultures have, but they simply exhibited so well. Additionally, the natural beauty of the land is absolutely breathtaking. A gentleman on our visit told us this exact phrase, “We really appreciate all that you do to help our people. We appreciate it and bless you for your help. But do not think that we are poor. We may struggle financially, but that doesn’t mean that we are poor. Simply look around…”

Another takeaway that got me thinking is why are they trying to bless me? I understand that I am helping them, but I am coming from a nation which in large part had a strong hand in their current predicament (Look up United Fruit Company for More Information). I definitely felt great that my efforts were appreciated, but these people are owed this in my eyes. After all that has been taken, it is the least that could have been done.

Finally, my last takeaway was how frustrating it was to actually practice Humanitarian Engineering. This does NOT meant that I do not appreciate it! It was just difficult for me to let go of a project because I am so use to being in control. But one MUST realize that this is not our project at all. Humanitarian Engineering ideology is that the project is that of the beneficiary. If they do not like it, the project is useless and a waste of time and resources. One must work with the people and help them in only ways they ask. When asked, it must be remembered that we are helping them make a solution. They are not trying to help us make a solution. The possession is theirs, and that is a key fact to remember that during the Engineering Design Process.

So in summary,  if one were to ask did you learn what Humanitarian Engineering or poverty is I could say no. Because I had exposure to both before my trip. But the truth is, this program has been extremely transformative. Knowing Humanitarian Engineering doesn’t just mean one can do it. One must practice it to be able to say they actually know what it refers to. And this doesn’t make you an expert. It just makes me better aware of it. I definitely want to continue what I have started, but this was a great start. This trip also transformed what poverty means for me. Not that I did not know before, but as I described above, poverty can be defined and so many ways. These people need a bit of a boost financially, but that is not to say everything else they posses is nothing. The culture and values are so rich.

I am extremely grateful STEP enabled me to attend this trip and I would like to thank Student Life (Second-Year Transformational Experience Program), Ohio State International Affairs Office, the College of Engineering, and Mayan Families for all enabling me to be able to partake on this transformational trip.

One thought on “Engineering Service-Learning in Guatemala

  1. Stavan,

    This is a great reflection about your experience with humanitarian engineering in Guatemala. I really appreciated your deeper reflection on poverty, and what it means to practice humanitarian engineering. Your reflection reminded me of some of Mother Theresa’s words on different kinds of poverty and the “poverty of the west”. I wasn’t aware of the history of the United Fruit Company either and have added that to my mental list of things to learn more about.

    I can tell you really participated fully in this trip, Stavan, and have done a lot of inner work to reflect on your experience. That is always our hope for STEP projects, and we are so glad you found this experience to be rewarding.

    Best to you in all that you do, Stavan.

    Caleb – STEP Team Member

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