I’m Chelsi Smith, Regional Manager with DownEast, and I’m dropping by to tell you about a very exciting and meaningful project in which DownEast employees and family members are taking part.

In operation for 28 years, CHOICE Humanitarian is a non-profit organization that currently works in five countries throughout the world, helping to end poverty by focusing on sustainable rural village development. As a CHOICE Humanitarian corporate partner, DownEast has chosen to work with the Chirixquitzac village in the mountainous Polochic region of Guatemala, helping to build a water system that will bring water directly into villagers’ households for the very first time.

Employees are supporting this work through a voluntary donation program that is matched by DownEast. In the past year, $20,000 has been raised to build the water system and to fund other smaller projects. But our support doesn’t end there.

Last month, five DownEast employees – myself included – and one family member made the trek to the Chirixquitzac village itself, where we had hands-on involvement in breaking ground on the water system’s construction. For a week, we rolled up our sleeves and worked alongside the villagers and local CHOICE leaders to dig trenches that will carry precious water. Once completed, the duct system will eliminate the need for villagers to transport water to their homes, often a distance of a half-mile or more.

The trip itself was an incredible experience, with the most arduous travel beginning after we disembarked from the plane in Guatemala City. It required a nine-hour bus ride through steep mountains and over ungraded dirt roads. Then, we began a three-mile hike, carrying our backpacks (with some much-needed assistance from the villagers), to the village itself since it is not accessible by vehicle.

The Chirixquitzac village is comprised of around 55 households and 250 people, who are actually descendents of Mayan Indians and speak a Mayan language known as Q’eqchi’. CHOICE translators were required for communication, and to ensure we understood village customs and beliefs. It was a physically challenging but inspiring week, filled with lots of hard physical work as well as time spent learning about the fascinating Chirixquitzac history and culture. We also reserved some time for fun, bringing toys and playing games with the village children. As a group, we felt very honored to be there, especially since outsiders have not visited the area in 13 years!

Choice Humanitarian’s philosophy is that corporate partners work with villages over a time span of three to five years, after which the native people should be able to sustain the programs. Importantly, the villagers identify their areas of greatest need, help raise money and are in charge of their own projects, giving them ownership in their community’s development.

It is anticipated that running water will be in every home in the Chirixquitzac village within two to three months! Beyond that, DownEast anticipates that its work with the village will continue and extend to other vital projects. As part of this, more expeditions will be planned. We invite DownEast friends and customers to join us in future trips.

Humanitarian CHOICE is headquartered in West Jordan, Utah. I encourage you to visit its website and learn more about the good works this non-profit organization is undertaking.

I know I’ve come away from my adventure with a raised global awareness and new appreciation for the basics of life that so many of us take for granted. Let’s work together to end poverty and improve quality of life for everyone!

Best,

Chelsi