Hug It Forward

Welcome to the group from Ohio University! 💛

This week, they’ll be serving in the community of Chuachún, Santa Apolonia, Chimaltenango, helping build a new Bottle School. During their time there, they will be pouring concrete for the foundations and columns — an important step in creating safe classrooms for the children of the community.

Thank you for bringing your energy, service, and heart to this project. We’re excited to build together!

Today, on Labor Day in Guatemala, we pause to celebrate and give thanks for the incredible Hug It Forward team members who pour their hearts into every project. 💛

Thank you for your dedication to improving education in your country and for being shining lights to so many communities.

Today we celebrated a meaningful milestone in the community of Aldea Yucales, Yepocapa — the official Breaking Ground ceremony for a new Bottle School. 🧱

This moment marks the beginning of new opportunities for students and families, and a shared commitment to education and community growth.

We’re excited to build together.

Last Saturday marked a meaningful milestone in the community of Xesuj, San Martín Jilotepeque — the first eco-brick was placed, symbolizing the start of construction for two new primary school classrooms. 🧱

This is the third phase of construction for the community, made possible because of the responsible use of the classrooms they already have and the continued need for more learning space.

Step by step, we build opportunities for children to learn and grow.

This past Saturday, we welcomed a group of students from Colegio Interamericano in Guatemala City who joined the community to help tie plastic bottles for the Bottle School construction. It was their first experience in the community, and a meaningful step toward learning about recycling and environmental responsibility.

Their goal is to inspire more students from their school to join in making eco-bricks, knowing that every bottle reused is a step toward caring for our planet. 🌎

April 22 was established by the United Nations as a day to honor our planet and raise awareness about the environmental challenges it faces. 🌎

In the community of Pachaj, students and volunteers came together to prepare their school through hands-on action — recycling plastic bottles, painting, creating the garden area, preparing compost, and planting food that will nourish both the land and the community.

Small actions today grow a better tomorrow.

Yesterday we celebrated the inauguration of the new school in Panatzan, Santa Apolonia.
A milestone made possible through collaboration, dedication, and community.

This school represents opportunity, growth, and a brighter future for the children who will learn within its walls.

Exciting news! We are breaking ground on three new classrooms in the community of Chuachún, Santa Apolonia. 🏫
This is the beginning of more opportunities, more learning, and a brighter future for the children of this community.

Thank you to everyone whose support makes moments like this possible.

Today, we began a new school garden project in the community of Pachaj!
We started by decorating large bottles that will later be filled with waste materials and used as borders for our garden.

This activity is part of our Environmental Program calendar and was carried out in recognition of World Water Day.
Our next visit will be in April, when the garden will be completed and the children will begin planting — just in time to celebrate Earth Day. 🌱

♻️

Welcome to our group led by Susan Stumph and her grandson Ethan! 💛

They’ll be serving in the community of Xecohil, Santa Apolonia, helping move this Bottle School forward. This week, they’ll be mixing cement for columns and beams, building the structure that will support a safe space for learning.

Thank you for showing up with heart and dedication — we’re so excited to have you here!

Visiting the Mario Méndez Official Urban Mixed School in Santa Apolonia reminded us why this work matters. It was such a joy to see the classrooms full of life and being used by students and teachers. Thank you to all the donors whose love and support helped make this possible. 💛