As the plane carrying our Alternative Spring Break group made its descent into Guatemala City, tree-covered mountains cradling pure blue lakes bumped past our windows. Later in the week as we visited Guatemala City, Antigua and Xela, we moved through narrow streets filled with motorbikes and vibrantly painted school buses. The buses are imported from the States after they are deemed no longer fit for our roads. The bold colors of these buses, known as “chicken buses,” reflect the lively and beautiful spirit of Guatemala. Yet, we learned that they are dangerous, racing along precarious mountain roads and acting as sites of bribery, corruption and child labor. 

During our trip in March, our group admired the beauty of the country we were welcomed into and were grateful for the generosity of every person we encountered. Yet, we could not ignore the daily challenges of those we met, and, of our own country’s complicity in creating those challenges. After attending a march condemning violence against children, we mourned that the children we met would need to attend such an event. After discussing politics with students, we lamented that these incredibly smart teenagers thought their government was too corrupt to consider running for office one day. And, perhaps most poignantly, we grappled with the implications of our trip and the responsibilities we gained through our new understanding of the country. As the week progressed, we became more aware of our privilege and the ethical stakes at the heart of an ASB trip like ours. Catholic mission work cannot be just an interaction between a giving and receiving party. Rather, it should be approached as an opportunity to strengthen our global faith community and learn about our inherently interconnected world, woven more tightly together by our shared Catholic faith.

This article appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of STM Magazine.  If you are interested in having STM Magazine mailed to your home, email robin.mcshane@yale.edu.