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DPSCD Students and Staff Help Build a School in Guatemala
From July 21-30, students and staff from Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) embarked on a transformative journey to Aldea Peña Blanca, Guatemala, through the BuildOn organization. During this incredible experience, we worked together with the local community to build a new school and immerse ourselves in their culture, all while making lasting connections.
The group of DPSCD students who participated in this life-changing trip included Antonio Reyes from East English Village Preparatory Academy, China Anderson from Renaissance High School, Kayla Gannaway from Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, and Hammam from Western International High School. These students joined me, Sidney Arrington—Academic Interventionist at MLK Jr. Senior High—and our BuildOn partners from Detroit, Chicago, and Oakland, California. Together, we shared a common goal of promoting education and giving back through service.
The experience in Aldea Peña Blanca was a true community effort. We worked side by side with local men, women, children, and elders to build the school. Our tasks included digging six-foot-deep holes for the foundation, sifting sand, carrying heavy cement blocks, tying rebar, and even digging deeper holes for the latrines. The hard work was made meaningful by the spirit of unity we felt with the villagers, who were just as dedicated to the project as we were.
Beyond the construction work, we fully embraced the everyday life of the community. We stayed with host families and learned traditional skills, such as making coffee, weaving hammocks, crafting banana empanadas, and preparing fresh tortillas. Even bucket showers became part of our daily routine, with refreshing rain showers adding an extra touch of fun and freedom.
One of the most profound lessons we learned was the importance of education in Aldea Peña Blanca. The local school only offers classes up to the 6th grade, and students must travel to a neighboring village to attend high school. For many girls, starting around the age of 15, their cultural path involves focusing on family life rather than continuing their education. By helping to build this school, we hoped to inspire the community’s young girls and boys to continue learning and reach for their dreams.
In addition to our time in the village, we explored the nearby town of Cobán, where we toured a soccer field, raced around the track, and enjoyed the vibrant local culture. These experiences not only expanded our understanding of Guatemalan life but also allowed us to see the universal values of community and collaboration.
This trip was more than just a service project; it was a deeply impactful experience for all of us. We didn’t just build a school—we became part of a family, learning from the people of Aldea Peña Blanca and growing as individuals. It showed us the power of education, community, and working together to create change.
I encourage anyone considering community service to get involved. Programs like BuildOn offer incredible opportunities to serve, travel, and learn in ways that change lives—both for the communities we support and for ourselves.
Let’s continue building bridges and strengthening communities, one project at a time. The world is full of opportunities to make a difference. Will you take the next step?
- Sidney Arrington, Academic Interventionist
Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School