The Heart and Hands Foundation is once again offering residents the chance to participate in voluntourism, an enterprise that combines tourism with volunteer work.
Members of the foundation, which became a registered charity in 2005, will head to Guatemala on Nov. 18 for what will be the organization’s 36th voluntourism trip.
The group builds stoves in Mayan homes during the first week of the trip, with over 5,000 stoves being built so far.
The stoves replace open fires in the homes, which contribute to respiratory disease, eye disease, severe burns and deforestation.
The second half of the trip is designated for exploring Guatemala.
“My goal was, when I started it, for this to be an intercultural exchange,” said Janet Townsend, president and founder of the Hearts and Hands Foundation.
“My experience taught me that if people work together, learn about each other and understand each other, the better the camaraderie and they’re less likely to hate each other even though their language is different, their religion is different, everything. They come together as a real group or a real family at the end.”
Townsend started the foundation after a tough year filled with tragedy, a battle with cancer and the end of her marriage.
“I have a very deep faith … so I promised God if he got me through that time that I would give back in whatever way I could,” said Townsend.
“Within eight months I was in Guatemala and the rest is history. And it’s been a blessing now for 14 years.”
“They are a wonderful people. I had travelled in the country and they are the warmest, most humble, grateful people. So my heart was drawn to a place where I knew the need was great and where the people would receive it in partnership.”
In addition to the volunteer trips, the foundation focuses on improving health and education in Mayan communities of Guatemala.
The foundation runs nutrition programs throughout the year and a dental clinic once a year.
In March, local dentist Dr. Lloyd Evans will make his 11th trip to Guatemala, during which he sees about 125-150 patients over five days.
Townsend, who had a career in social services for 35 years, says education programs are closest to her heart.
“Our biggest focus is more in education, that is my real love. I really believe that every child in the world deserves a decent education,” said Townsend, noting Guatemala is 17th from the bottom in terms of quality of education.
Hearts and Hands has built 63 elementary classrooms, as well as two junior/senior high schools, and they currently have 589 students in their scholarship program which covers the cost of tuition, uniforms, supplies and a weekly tutorial for students in Grade 7 up to the university level.
I’m excited because this year … in November when I go we will have our biggest class ever graduating from university,” said Townsend. “We have 11 students graduating, so I’m really excited about that.”
Two years ago the foundation began a literacy program to provide young Mayans with textbooks in their languages.
“We started the literacy program because we found in the area we were working in, 39 per cent of first graders were failing and dropping out of school,” said Townsend.
The first literacy package, which includes a textbook, a phonetic chart and a composition book, was created in K’iche’, the most common of Guatemala’s 23 Mayan languages. The second set will be in Kaqchikel.
The students first learn their Mayan language for six months before beginning to learn Spanish as well, easing the student’s transition into the second language.
Students in the scholarship program are required to “pay it forward” as a way to learn about giving back to their community.
Some of the students tutor younger students while others put on a fundraising event or participate in their own stove-building project.
Some students who have completed university go on to sponsor their own student in the community.
“I believe very strongly that we do not give handouts, we give hand ups,” said Townsend. “Everything we do is a partnership with the community, with the local government, with the federal government if need be, and then with Hearts and Hands, with a signed contract of what each is responsible for. The Mayan people have responded to that.”
No qualifications are needed to volunteer, although Townsend said she generally doesn’t take those under the age of 12 or over the age of 75. However, there have been exceptions.
“No qualifications,” said Townsend. “All they have to do is have a good heart and good hands.”
For more information about the student scholarship program or to volunteer, contact Townsend at [email protected] or (403) 609-2725.
The Hearts and Hands Foundation will host its second annual golf fun day on Friday (Aug. 26) at Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course.
For information on the golf day, contact Bonita Felton at [email protected] or call (403) 256–6620.
