Saint Francis High School students share meaningful experiences with the community of Xolja, Guatemala

What started as a challenging transition quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives.

When we first arrived in Guatemala, nothing felt familiar. We were placed in a small classroom, sharing tight quarters with people we had never met before. The lack of space, the unfamiliar environment, and the uncertainty made the first day overwhelming. But those emotions almost immediately changed. The community welcomed us with warmth and kindness that cut through all the discomfort. Even without a shared language, their smiles, gestures, and generosity made us feel at home. 

As the days passed, we adjusted not just to the physical environment, but to a completely new way of living and connecting. What surprised us most was how quickly strangers became family. Not only within the local community, but within our own group. Living so closely together, working toward a shared goal, and navigating challenges side by side brought us closer than we ever expected. By the end of the trip, we were no longer just classmates.

The most memorable part of our journey was building the court. What might seem like a simple project carried immense meaning. It required time, effort, and dedication from everyone, both us and the community members worked alongside each other in solidarity every single day. Showcasing that a bunch of strange Americans were able to do heavy lifting and truly show up for something bigger than themselves was both inspirational for us and the locals. Watching it come together piece by piece was incredibly rewarding, but nothing compared to the moment it was finished.

It was not just the physical court but the meaning behind it. For the community, this court represented opportunity, connection, and joy. During the ceremonies held to celebrate its completion, emotion was very clear. There were speeches, gratitude and moments where words weren’t even necessary. You could see it in their faces, the pride, the appreciation, the happiness. It was one of the most powerful moments of the entire experience.

The children, especially, made a lasting impact on us. From the moment we met them, they brought energy, laughter, and pure joy into every day. Whether we were working, playing, or simply spending time together, their smiles were constant. Seeing them run onto the court for the first time, filled with excitement and happiness, made every moment of hard work worth it.

Another unforgettable part of the experience was how the community cared for us. We got the opportunity to go into specific houses and see the authentic day to day life of the people, and how they are able to make a living. First hand we were able to see how a family spends days making pants just to make barley enough to live off of as well as the amazing women spending hours dyeing and threading yarn by hand in hopes of empowering other women to work independently from their expected routines. Despite having limited resources, they continuously went out of their way to make sure we felt included and appreciated. The food they prepared for us was incredible every meal made with effort, generosity, and pride. Even without speaking the same language fluently, they found ways to connect with us, to include us, and to make us feel like we truly belonged.

What began as an uncomfortable and uncertain transition turned into something life changing. We learned that connection goes far beyond words, that generosity doesn’t depend on wealth, and that the strongest of families are built on kindness and one shared purpose.

This experience didn’t just impact the community we believe it changed us just as much. It shifted our perspectives, deepened our appreciation for others, and showed us the power of stepping outside of our comfort zones.

Nine days felt too short for something that will stay with us forever.
~ Sam Hegel and Sloane Paul, Saint Francis High School student voluneers

Volunteer Quotes:

The high point of this trip for me was being a part of something bigger than myself. I don’t think I realized how big this project really was and after seeing the gratitude and emotion I realized how big truly was. ~ Samantha Hegel

I would recommend a Courts for Kids trip because I built a connection with the community and my classmates. ~ Isaia Porter

I was able to learn more about how I want to live my life and taught me my true values in life. ~ Minha Tran

What I learn from the community was to cherish more and desire less, this is mainly after seeing everyone have so much fun with so little. ~ Erick Fernandez

What I learned from the community was how to have a hard work ethic, how to live a simple life and how to appreciate the little things in life. ~ Karina Hernandez

Before coming to Guatemala I had thought my experience would be completely different, through this experience I was able to expand my worldview and to have a connection between my values and myself. ~ Natalie Lynch

I would recommend a Courts for Kids trip because this trip was unexpectedly perfect. Going in I had no friends but this organization made this experience so fantastic and easy to connect to others. ~ Rylan Fairbairn

Community Quotes:

We've spoken with the women in the community, and the girls have set a great example for us women. They've shown us that we, too, can do much more than what's expected of us. Perhaps this can be the start of a change here.
~ Vicenta María Pú, Teacher

We really enjoyed how the collaborative work was carried out. There was a lot of participation from the student volunteers, the parents of the children at the school, and the teachers. There was a great deal of respect between both cultures. It was wonderful to see the entire project come together from beginning to end.
~ Francisco Alvarado, Community leader

This project will have a significant positive impact, strengthening community unity and improving people's quality of life. We are very grateful for this project because we couldn't have done it on our own. We hope that Court For Kids can continue supporting the communities of Santa Maria Chiquimula.
~ Esteban Miguel Ixcoteyac, Community member

Our community has been part of a wonderful experience that will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for our children. We did our best to make the volunteers from the United States as comfortable as possible, we enjoyed spending time with them, and now we are sad because we will miss them very much. We are deeply grateful for everything they did for us.
~Antonio Alberto Pú, Teacher