My Nonprofit Reviews

I found out about Hug It Forward from a trusted friend who had actually led several of these volunteer trips in the past. While I had never participated in any, I felt the passion for what this group was doing and very quickly decided to take the trip and see what these “bottle schools” were all about.

As I had never been on this kind of a trip I had no expectations other than to find out more about this project. From the second I arrived in Guatemala until my departure I was amazed by how much planning, thought and effort is put into every single detail of the trip by the team running this program. One of the things that struck me the most was how the communities are fully involved in the project and take total ownership in the schools being built. From parents, to teachers and students the joy is absolutely palpable and present during the entire stay. Thought I was going to be working the entire time but the trip was well balanced between work and activities to help learn about the Guatemalan culture.

I fell so in love with this project that I have now participated in 3 of these trips and already planning my 4th one. I have shared my experience with all of my friends and family and have taken several of them back with me. I feel that Hug It Forward is really creating a huge and positive impact by tackling the lack of educational resources combined with the excess of trash problem in this country and can’t wait to go back to Hug It Forward again!