University of Texas Athletes in Icayuco, Mexico - A Story of Land, Labor, and Love

From the moment our van rolled into Icayuco, we were swept into a world that felt both entirely new and profoundly welcoming. Nestled among rolling hills and shrouded in a sea of clouds, the village greeted us not with hesitation, but with music, fireworks, and the warmest smiles imaginable. Though we arrived a day late, the community didn’t miss a beat. Felipe, a local artisan, surprised us with handcrafted fireworks that cracked like celebratory gunfire. As we stepped out, startled and then laughing, a three-piece band began to play, and before long, we were dancing in the village square for four hours straight, without even realizing it.

That set the tone for the week ahead: a perfect blend of joy, hard work, and deep connection. At over 8,000 feet above sea level, every view took our breath away, and not just because of the altitude. The horizon opened up to majestic mountains, green farmland, and valleys that seemed to stretch into forever. Icayuco was more than a picturesque village, it was a living, breathing community rooted in its land, its history, and its people.

We were quickly immersed in the tradition of Tequio, the village’s deeply held belief in mutual aid and community collaboration. It was visible everywhere: mothers with babies strapped to their backs shoveling gravel, kids hauling heavy buckets alongside us, and neighbors showing up day after day simply because someone needed help. Our group only witnessed a tiny fraction of the nine-month project to build the new sports court, but even in that brief time, we became part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Before construction began, the villagers held a blessing ceremony. Arnulfo, the leader of the project, poured pulque (an ancestral drink made from the agave plant) onto each corner of the future court, asking Mother Earth and their ancestors for permission to build and a blessing of protection. Lorenzo, a 75-year-old farmer, later showed us how pulque is made. With incredible reverence, he cut into the maguey plant and scraped the juice while whispering thanks to the Earth. We tasted the sacred drink, and in that moment, many of us realized how disconnected we are from the land back home. In Icayuco, everything—every plant, every action—has meaning.

Throughout the week, we worked side by side with the villagers: mixing concrete, forming bucket lines, and dancing in the breaks. We taught each other friendship bracelet making and Texas two-step, and they shared their cooking, games, and stories. The cooks, up at 3 a.m. every day, served us with the kind of love that made every meal feel like a gift. One morning, they taught us how to make corn tortillas by hand. It was harder than it looked, but the laughter and shared effort made it unforgettable.

There were also moments of personal connection we’ll never forget. Paris met David, a five-year-old with a wide grin and a love for fútbol. When the court was finally unveiled, David tugged on her skirt and exclaimed, “Now I get to play in the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen!” Christian, another young boy, brought his own tiny basketball to the ceremony and spent the entire day shooting hoops, his joy echoing across the new court. Carys helped him learn to share it with David, and the two played like brothers by the end of the day. Logan remembered the six straight hours the kids played basketball, their energy only growing with each basket. That court, we knew, would be a gift for generations to come.

Felipe and his apprentice Kiké even led us on a six-hour hike, despite having sprained their ankles earlier that day carrying the basketball hoops to the court. We crawled on all fours at points, scaling grassy slopes and pine walls, but their spirit and leadership inspired us to keep going. The view at the top wasn’t just beautiful, it was transformational. In the challenge, we found strength, both as a group and within ourselves.

On our last day, we celebrated the finished court with a huge community dance. Little girls ran up to us, asking “¿Bailamos?” with sparkles in their eyes. One mother and daughter gave Carys tiny hair clips as a parting gift, and a teenage girl named Yessica, who had been shy all week, handed Paris a note written entirely in English: “You have been so immersed in our culture this past week, I thought it would only be right to learn some English and write it for you.” Another young boy, Etzeal, gave Paris a poster with a hand-drawn rainbow and wrote, “I will never forget you and already miss you so much.” We were moved to tears.

This trip wasn’t just about building a sports court; it was about building relationships, bridging cultures, and rediscovering what it means to live with purpose, gratitude, and connection. We came as strangers and left as family. The people of Icayuco taught us what it means to honor the land, support each other selflessly, and celebrate every joy, big or small, with music, movement, and deep appreciation.

Thank you, Icayuco. You’ve given us more than we ever could have imagined and we will never forget you. 

Written by: Paris Pavlas (Texas Rowing), Carys Luther (Texas Rowing), Logan Patete (Texas Track and Field) 

Volunteer Quotes:

I've learned that you can reach people on the same emotional level without speaking the same language. Prior to this trip, I was really nervous because my Spanish is not good. However, that did not stop me from building a connection with the people of  Icayuco through dancing, sharing meals, and working really hard on building the court.
~ Rodger Rivera

I learned pure bliss. They showed us smiles, nature, and a sense of unbreakable community.
~ Banks Goodmanson

The community of Icayuco’s practice of “Tequio” made me realize how selfish we are in America, and how we pass it off as being individualistic. They are called to serve each other and the land. The fulfilment they get from lifting each other is enviable. Furthermore, it made me recognize how disconnected we are from our food, whereas in the community, they see the food from seed to meal.
~ Bell Ebben

Driving away and having part of the community follow us for about an hour to escort us and make sure we made it out safe, showed me just how much they care for us. Saying goodbye to a place and the people that treated us so well is never easy.
~ Tanner Owen

The hospitality the community showed us was first class. Arnulfo and his team were always present to assist, teach, and guide us. The ladies were busy cooking 3 meals a day for us.
~ AaronPaterson

This trip changed how present I am. The detachment from my phone enabled me to form strong bonds with my group members and the community. I also have better sleep. I wouldn't have been fully immersed without turning my phone off. I saw sites no camera could fully capture the beauty of, and I am grateful for how things turned out.
~ Logan Patete

The excitement when we arrived was so contagious and it said the tone for the week. The meals were highlight because I felt so taken care of and I could taste the love that Abigail put into it.  I love the idea of respecting the land and giving as much as we take but I do not do that in my daily life and it was incredible to witness they know so much about the plants and environment around them and I learned a fraction of that knowledge.
~ Nadja Yaroschuk

I learned to value nature more and seek to learn what things are around me. I also am inspired to be a better host whenever I get the chance to. It was very special to be welcomed as warmly as we were in Icayuco. Overall, they taught me to stay curious and step outside of my comfort zone.
~ Carys Luther

I learned from the community that putting others first is a chain reaction. This type of attitude is revolutionary in a consumer-competitive Society like our own in the USA. When we all take care of one another before ourselves, true happiness is found.
~ Drew Weber

Community Quotes:

I am very grateful to the Courts for Kids Foundation for their support, and also to the young people at the University of Texas and our community of Icuyuco Santa Lucía Monte Verde,Putla, Oaxaca for the excellent work on the court. Our children are so happy, and we send our greetings and a big hug. May God bless you always.
~ Honorio Hernandez, Community member

It was very interesting and fantastic to meet them and be part of another step in their educational journey. We appreciate the effort, dedication, courage, and teamwork they showed during their stay. They adapted to the community context in such a short time, which was fantastic. They tried to speak our language, Mixteco, and tasted typical dishes such as chicken mole, machucada de nopal, etc. We are truly grateful for the court they built. Although it was difficult and involved a lot of hard work, the result brings joy to our hearts.
~ Leticia Peña Hernandez

Words of gratitude to Juan Carlos. On my behalf, as the project manager, I was very pleased with his team because they fulfilled their project. So far, we are all very grateful to them and to the group of the University of Texas students who did the work, and we are very happy that we now have a court in our town of Icayuco. Greetings to them and many thanks to all of us here and our neighbours who supported us in carrying out this work.
~ Nereo Santiago

I thank God for allowing this project to be carried out in this town, and I thank the Courts for Kids Foundation for the projects they are doing in all the places where this type of work is needed for the benefit of our children. I thank Juan Carlos for always ensuring that the project was carried out in a timely and proper manner. I would also like to thank the group of volunteers who came to help build our court, as their support was extremely useful. Thank you also, Mr Derek, I will be eternally grateful for this project.
~ Arnulfo Hernandez, community leader

I am very grateful to you and to the young people at the University of Texas and the Courts for Kids Foundation for supporting us with this project, as the court is a gift to our community. Both children and adults are excited to enjoy this space, as it is an incredible place to play and have fun in this community of Icayuco Santa Lucía Monte Verde, Putla, Oaxaca.
~ Maria Eva Hernandez Hernandez

I acknowledge the unparalleled effort and dedication that have inspired an entire community to believe in the impossible and celebrate this court together, as our children are very happy and will be able to enjoy every victory. Thank you for bringing happiness to our community, Icayuco.
~ Maria Isabel Peña Hernández

I am very grateful for the support you have given us, young people, both children and teenagers, in building the court, together with the young people from the Courts for Kids Foundation. It was an excellent job, which was very necessary for each one of us. Today we have been enjoying it immensely, as we now have the right place to play our games or challenges, as we call them. You made many children, young people, and adults happy who benefited from this project. I don't have the right words to thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Juan Carlos, and the young people from the University of Texas.

Moral of the story: Keep bringing joy to people's hearts. Thank you very much. I recognize the unparalleled effort and dedication you have shown, inspiring an entire community to believe in the impossible and celebrate this court together, as our children are very happy and will be able to enjoy every victory. Thank you for bringing happiness to our community, Icayuco.
~ Juan Manuel Peña Hernandez