To mark my 65th birthday, I travelled to Antigua, Guatemala, and joined a one-week house-building project with From Houses to Homes Canada. I have volunteered with other organizations in Guatemala over the years, but this experience stands out as one of the best.
From start to finish, the trip was exceptionally well organized. The communication was clear, supportive, and helpful in making us feel prepared and welcomed. The entire week was deeply life-giving—from getting to know Antigua, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, to working beside skilled local masons, to sharing laughter and playtime with children and meeting other international volunteers.
There is no way to describe the joy on a family’s faces when they receive what feels like the best ‘gift’ imaginable—a home of their own. Practicing my Spanish, connecting with people on a personal level, and learning about their daily lives made the experience even richer for me. As a proud Canadian, I found myself acting as an informal ambassador—sharing bits of geography with curious children in the family, handing out little Canadian flags, teaching English songs and exchanging laughs, that universal language of connection. Staff at the hotel – which was very comfortable- were also accommodating and engaged with us to make our stay feel warm and welcoming.
Sharing this trip with my niece and her teenage son added another layer of joy. It was exhilarating to watch them discover the country, culture, and the power of service. It also helped
that they could take up the slack on days when I could not take on heavier tasks. Side trips such as a visit to a local school sponsored by FHTH and the kitchen where mothers – in traditional dress and aprons or delantales – created hearty meals for the students who would be better able to learn, and taking in the local gastronomy in Antigua along with local artisan
markets made this an exceptional travel experience.
If you are considering volunteer tourism and want to experience the heart of life in a developing country, I cannot recommend this trip enough. Every time I return home from Guatemala, I feel
richer, more grateful, and blessed. This trip was made even sweeter and more accessible given that some travel expenses could be submitted for humanitarian purposes on income tax. My retirement goal of challenging myself, travelling solo, being a truly global citizen and sharing my good fortune by creating world connections was the best birthday gift ever!
