We are beyond grateful for all of our sponsors!
If it was not for you we would not be able to meet the needs of the children we serve in Guatemala each and every year! With your help we have provided holiday gifts to countless families for multiple years.
Thank you for your support!
A Day Of Serenity & Connection
Exploring Lake Atitlan
“Morning Glory: A Sunrise to Remember
Our day begins before the sun graces the sky. With the first light of day, we journey to the village of San Marcos La Laguna, a place known for its spiritual energy and vibrant artistic community. As we hike up to the meditation garden atop the hill, we are greeted by the warm embrace of the rising sun. The lake below shimmers like a sea of glass, reflecting the volcanoes in the distance.
Here, in the heart of nature, we start our day with a sunrise meditation. The peaceful surroundings, the cool breeze, and the soft songs of birds make for a perfect setting to center ourselves. As you close your eyes and take a deep breath, feel the connection to the land, the lake, and the people who call this place home. In this moment, you become one with the universe, a true human spirit.
A Journey Across the Waters
With our hearts open and our minds clear, we make our way down to the lakeshore. The vibrant colors of the indigenous people’s clothing and the bustling markets greet us as we explore the village. The local artisans create beautiful handwoven textiles, jewelry, and crafts that are a true testament to their rich cultural heritage.
We then embark on a boat journey across Lake Atitlán. This mystical body of water is surrounded by three imposing volcanoes: San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán. The lake’s deep blue waters mirror the sky, creating a breathtaking vista. Our boat ride takes us to the village of Santiago Atitlán, a place where traditions run deep, and the indigenous culture thrives.
Cultural Immersion in Santiago Atitlán
In Santiago Atitlán, you can’t help but be moved by the genuine warmth of the locals. This town is the heart of the Tz’utujil Mayan people, and their customs and beliefs are beautifully integrated into daily life.
We visit the Church of Santiago Apóstol, an enchanting blend of Mayan spirituality and Catholicism. The vibrant hues of the church’s interior and the ceremonial rituals taking place remind us of the harmonious coexistence of ancient traditions and the introduced faith.
Next, we explore the Maximon shrine, a unique and intriguing experience. Maximon, a revered Mayan deity, is embodied in an effigy cared for by the local brotherhood. Devotees offer cigars, alcohol, and prayers to seek guidance or blessings. It’s a humbling encounter with spirituality in its purest form, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things.”
Enroll your son or daughter in a Be Humanitarian service vacation now!
Our mission is to inspire our volunteers to become global citizens and take a hands-on role in the world around them. We believe our duty is to improve the lives of those in need. We aim to improve the future of some of Guatemala’s most vulnerable people, and help them to break the poverty cycle through early nutrition, education and self sustainability.
You can learn more about how to Be Humanitarian and the work that we are doing from this link https://linktr.ee/behumanitarian Tobie is the founder and director of the nonprofit Be Humanitarian. Tobie leads service vacations to Guatemala to help companies, families, and individuals give back while rediscovering what really matters.
If you ever have an issue with anything we write about please let us know. We want to make sure we are always serving you at the highest level. We understand that there are many great organizations doing great work around the world. We aim to be a beacon of love and hope and we sincerely appreciate your support and friendship. It is our greatest goal to spread the belief that we can all be humanitarians in our simple, everyday interactions. We try our best to do good in the world and we welcome you to join us. Tobie was recently asked “Why she is passionate about our work in Guatemala and this is her reply …
Why am I passionate about Be Humanitarian? Because the obstacles facing our world may feel big however the obstacles of living in Guatemala have historically been even more difficult. Guatemala consistently ranks around the fourth most malnourished country in the world where about half of all children under the age of five are chronically malnourished. Keeping children in school is a constant struggle as indigenous girls typically attend school for 3 years until they are needed to work in the home or in the fields. For many years I led groups of volunteers to visit orphanages in Guatemala where we offered love and hope to the children there. I was dumbfounded to learn that many children have two living parents that simply couldn’t afford to feed their child and so they placed them in an orphanage to make sure they received food and an education. It was then that I decided to support the fragile family and stop children from being placed in the system when they have parents who love them. As a mother, I simply couldn’t imagine the heartbreak of choosing to give my daughters to strangers to raise to ensure that they ate. Be Humanitarian works closely within the community to ascertain the needs of the families and we have created trust within the community which allows us to intimately know the families we serve. Over the years we have donated thousands of books to fill empty shelves, created libraries, paid children’s tuition, provided hundreds of thousands of meals and thousands of backpacks full of school supplies. We have delivered water filters, installed wood burning stoves and taught our families how to make their own bookshelves so they could organize their homes.
Be Humanitarian has been working diligently to ease the burdens of everyday life in Guatemala for the last 11 years. We firmly believe that we can positively impact our communities by keeping families intact while providing educational opportunities, creating income opportunities and supporting self sufficiency programs such as our volunteer run nutrition program and garden tower projects. We firmly believe that a small group of dedicated individuals can make the world a better place.
Stories about our personal experiences are yours to share. Feel free to forward any of our emails to your community. The more humanitarians we have in the world, the better the world will be. Know that we are grateful for your support, your readership, and look forward to you joining us on the adventure.
Thank you all so much for being a part of our world,
Tobie, Darrin, Chelsea, Danka, Dana, Jen and William
Tobie Spears
Founder / Director
Be Humanitarian
Be Humanitarian 501c3
Pleasant Grove UT 84062
© 2024 Be Humanitarian.
