Isabelle Kenny and Christina (Nina) Maurizi, both of Summit, and schoolmates from Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, spent part of their summer building a schoolhouse and playground for children in Guatemala. They journeyed to the village of Santa Cruz del Quiche in Guatemala during a nine-day trip in July through the School the World organization’s Student Service Learning Program.
Kenny and Maurizi spent the trip painting the school and assisting in the construction of the playground, which included pouring cement, hanging swings and painting monkey bars. Both students said they hoped the experience would afford them the opportunity to effect change. “In our search for a service trip with hands-on work, we found that with School the World we would be directly working toward change and helping to provide an education to children less fortunate than we are,” Kenny said.
“I know how secure I feel to be able to sit in a school room and build a relationship with a teacher, and I think it’s important for every child to experience that relationship,” Maurizi agreed. Reflecting back on the trip, Kenny said she’ll never forget the “joyful welcome” and tearful goodbye the Guatemalan students gave them.
“No one told us how hard it would be to say goodbye. We felt such a connection with the children and their families. I was crying when we left,” Maurizi said.
Founded in 2009, School the World has built nearly 40 schools and trained more than a 150 teachers in Guatemala and Honduras, according to its website.
(above l-r) Isabelle Kenny and Christina (Nina) Maurizi, both of Summit, take the reins of the classroom during their service trip to Guatemala this summer. Photo: Adam Richins Photography.
