It’s important to highlight these moments of good, maybe now more than ever, because it reminds us of our shared humanity, an empathetic notion that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life.
Earlier this year, when it was still considered safe to do so, members of our Rhode Island team and their families visited a rural area of Guatemala as part of a volunteer service trip. As we look back on this experience today, we’re filled with appreciation of the efforts of this group and their continued commitment to our Gilbane Cares culture. But we also look forward with hope; hope for a time when it is safe to gather again to continue our volunteer efforts and hope for a brighter tomorrow as we emerge from this shared experience with a deeper sense of empathy for our fellow humans.
Hope of Life International
Hope of Life International is a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life in rural Guatemala through strategies such as direct outreach and infrastructure upgrades. In February of this year, our Gilbane team, in conjunction with our HOL@ employee resource group, raised more than $15,000 to procure the materials needed to construct an education facility on the Hope of Life campus. This effort took six months of preparation and involved a great deal of coordination and support from our teams and generous trade partners whose donations made it all possible. The new facility is a place where these students can now learn and thrive.
As the lead of this initiative, we asked Project Engineer Edwin Montas to share his takeaways from this trip.
How did you become involved with Hope of Life International?
My involvement with Hope of Life International began five years ago, when my wife invited me on a trip to Guatemala. I thought it was going to be a relaxing week off, bit it ended up becoming much more; it became a week of significance. During that first trip, I not only became exposed to some of the culture from my wife’s side of the family, I became exposed to a rural area of Guatemala and the poverty that exists within that particular area. As a Hispanic-American, I’ve always wanted to give back; this is something that many of us have an urge and need to fulfill. This trip became an opportunity to do so, and it was life changing. Upon returning to Rhode Island, I knew I had a unique story to share, a testimony of the work carried out by the Hope of Life organization and how it improves lives for the most vulnerable people of Guatemala.
What work did you do during your volunteer trip with Hope of Life?
The project we sponsored and carried out this February was the construction of a classroom facility which houses approximately 30 students. This facility in particular is purposed as a K-12 school dedicated specifically to serve students who are orphans. In addition to sponsoring and organizing the build, Gilbane’s team sieved through soil for the use in concrete mix, mixed the concrete and poured the slab by hand, painted, and aided in the installation of the roof and tile flooring. Overall, it was a substantial undertaking by the team involved and all the individuals who made this build possible.
Other activities included volunteering at feeding centers and participating in a baby rescue. Spending time with the tenants/patients of these facilities was one of the highlights of this volunteer trip.
What were some takeaways from the trip?
This trip provided perspective. Every individual who participated walked away with a renewed sense of purpose of who they are, their values, and the impact they can have in the world. We served a larger purpose and it was breathtaking to experience our efforts generating a meaningful product that will enrich the lives of children for years to come.
To learn more about Hope of Life International, click here.
