The Rotary Club of Milwaukee is pleased to announce a trip to the Guatemalan Highlands to visit past, current and future Rotary-sponsored infrastructure projects. Mike Paddock, fellow Rotarian, United Nations site recovery expert, Guatemalan advisor, author and more, will lead the trip departing Saturday, August 13, and returning Sunday, August 21.
There are twelve slots available for Rotary members from Wisconsin clubs who have donated funds to recent projects, as well as Milwaukee Rotary Club members. (Participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid 19.) More than 30 Rotarians have participated in past trips, and all have been enriched by the experience.
Trip Highlights:
- Experience the beauty of the people and culture of the indigenous Maya in the Highlands, as well as the incredible beauty of Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango and UN heritage city Antigua
- Connect with fellow Rotarians and Engineers without Borders (EWB) leadership in Guatemala
- Work alongside students from Marquette University on the current Manantial water system
- Celebrate the completion of the Chupoj water project
- Visit the Escuintla Hospital water system project now nearing completion
- Get a hands-on look at a RACHEL school computer installation
- Enjoy a meal with Joyabaj Mayor Florencio Carrascoza, a key and dependable partner in multiple Rotary and EWB projects in the Joyabaj GT area
- Meet with community leaders to establish potential 2023 Global Grant water projects
- Visit other Rotary-funded completed water system and pedestrian bridge projects
Itinerary and Cost:
The cost of the trip is estimated at $2,500:
- $2,250 payable to the Rotary Club of Milwaukee (RCM) to cover trip expenses including airfare, lodging, food, in-country transportation, and medical evacuation insurance.
- $250 contribution payable to the RCM Community Fund. This tax-deductible contribution will be donated to a student chapter of Engineers without Borders for their work in Guatemala.
Why should I sign up for this trip?
As a Rotary Club of Milwaukee member and Global District Grant chair John Hein has said, the success of our projects in Guatemala rests on three components:
- Strong NGO Partner: Engineers without Borders
- Strong Rotary Club Partners: In Country Vista Hermosa from Guatemala City and in Huehuetenango and US Rotary clubs that partner with RCM
- Strong Community Relationships: the elected and community-based leaders
Need more details on why travel is important in Rotary service, please read the message from RCM Executive Director Mary McCormick.
For further information: please contact Jerry Stepaniak or Mary McCormick.