3 DAYS IN AN INDIGENOUS GUATEMALAN VILLAGE

Guatemala is home to beautiful mountains, volcanos, lakes, and friendly people. Many of these people are Mayan and live far up in the mountains way beyond where most tourists ever venture. In these villages of indigenous people are some of the kindest people who welcomed us in to tell their stories over the course of three days. We were in Guatemala working with a nonprofit ‪@sownforgood‬ to tell the story of another nonprofit's work. In these villages Spanish isn't the common language, but rather a variety of indigenous languages making communication beyond their community difficult. Quetzal Project (the nonprofit whose work we were filming) teaches children Spanish to enable them to continue in the public education system thus having the freedom and ability to further themselves in whatever ways they desire. Along the way we meet the friendly faces of children and women who are empowering themselves and future generations through education and artistry.
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== A B O U T U S ==
Hey y'all! We're Chris + Sara (or as you know us, Let’s Be Us), a husband and wife digital nomad travel duo currently working and traveling full time with our pup, Kramer. We've always dreamed of traveling full time, and in May of 2018 we took the leap and made it happen! Today we're balancing work and fun everywhere between the Pacific and Atlantic. From hiking and cycling to tacos and coffee, we're trying to see and experience as much of this world as we can! While our home is currently on wheels in our DIY Sprinter van, our travels take us all around the world.
Be sure to hit subscribe here on KZbin and follow along on Instagram for more daily fun! Oh, and be sure to say hi while you're here. :)

[@kerenmoran753]

As a American-Guatemalan & parents from Guatemala this video bought me to tears 🥹🤍 thank you for amazing video to show our beautiful country & people 💙 to show whole world. Keep doing amazing work you guys do!

[@abisailopez4523]

incredible sensitivity you have in these stories. It seems that you have that love for people. Saludos desde California

[@Stubby1031]

Amazing job filming and thank u for sharing their stories ❤

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks for watching!

[@wrenglerjones4325]

Согласен, съемка аxyeнная

[@VentureWild]

I can’t believe it took us so long to sit down and watch it! Literally CRIED, what a beautiful story. Our hearts are full!!! 💛

[@genelleandmike]

Aww I'm sorry you couldn't go, Sara! I do love how you guys did the opening text scene (as a fellow vlogger). Well-done! Chris did a great job solo filming. I love to see the children lighting up over a drone. A beautiful video!

[@courtneyrenegar4329]

Guys! This was such a sweet video. Sara, I'm so sad you missed the trip, but great directing. Chris, you did an wonderful job. Those kids loved you....and the camera. It was adorable. Such a beautiful country. :)

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks, Courtney! Kids LOVE Chris. It's so funny to watch him walk into a village like this and they instantly run to him and start climbing all over him.

[@connorbruson473]

Chris you did such a good job including Sara in this story while single-handedly vlogging and capturing the footage you set out to get for the nonprofit! That’s hard work! 👏🏼

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks friend!

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

That was cool. I have been trying to learn Spanish myself for quite a few years. So I could relate to the kids. The woman asking how to say salsa in English was the one person I completely understood. I have that question memorized.

[@chrisandsara]

Learning a new language is such a good hobby and skill to develop! We're right there with you but I'm sure you'r much farther along in your Spanish journey than we are. 😅

[@CarinaPiersay]

Chris, you did a great job filming and getting the story out. The kids are absolutely adorable!! And Chris… if kids in kindergarten can speak Spanish it can’t be that hard, right? 😂 You got this. Sarah I hope you’re feeling better by the time this is posted. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to go 😢. Safe travels from your friend 💛 in Southern California🌴

[@chrisandsara]

😂😂😂 That's exactly what we were thinking! Those kiddos are far better at Spanish than we are. 😅

[@CarinaPiersay]

@@chrisandsara 😂😂😂

[@strangetravels]

Love that you guys found a way to still tell this wonderful story! I’m so impressed how Sara, you supporting from afar while SICK and Chris, tackling this project/story onsite and alone sounds very intimidating! Great video!

[@dougsfan9984]

Good job Chris and Sara

[@chrisandsara]

Thank you!

[@RionCaughman]

I love the English lesson you gave Chris. How do you say salsa an English? Salsa.

[@chrisandsara]

Lol it got me a free tostada!

[@barbararehmel6478]

Great video! So interesting to see how they're working to help the children further their education!

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks, Barbara! :) The nonprofit is definitely doing some incredible work.

[@CarlaGolden]

Wonderful video! I appreciate learning so much from your work & travels. Did Erma hand-draw each giraffe for coloring? I’m assuming there is no copy machine. Hope you feel better Sara! But first, coffee. Always! 😂

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks, Carla! :) And yes, Erma hand drew every single giraffe for the kids. She's incredibly dedicated and pours her heart and time into those kids. She's certainly an inspiration!

[@CarlaGolden]

@@chrisandsara Amazing!!!! 🌟

[@sherriclearlake1611]

What a great video and story.

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks, Sherri! So glad you enjoyed this one. It's definitely one of our favorite videos so far.

[@brunnie]

Very good video. Tells a great story.

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks so much, y'all! :)

[@kimsvango]

We always enjoy your videos, this one was also excellent! Hero, normal people that do extraordinary things to aid other people (personal thought)... I think the people you met are "already" heroes. Now who are the heroes of the future? Viewers, that after watching this video feel a deep sense of "wanting to help" (time, effort, prayer, money?) just wanted to encourage you guys for taking this project to make a difference in children's lives.... Well Done! Hope Sarah is feeling better~ Cafe Loco... Korean guys that love Guatemala and love coffee, they were feature in a well know Korean documentary.

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks so much, y'all! You're very right about the definition of "hero" being normal people doing extraordinary things. The people who give quietly and without attention (like Irma) are the most inspiring! So glad you enjoyed this video and thanks for your comment. :) It's always nice to see y'all out here!

[@bestyoutubechannelever3206]

You guys make great, well edited videos. That area looks very clean for an underdeveloped country. I had a Filipina girlfriend for a while. I went to the Philippines. It was filthy. You're not poor in America. Those people would love to live in an American trailer park. I felt terrible after breaking up with her and living here while she desperately tries to make ends meet.

[@chrisandsara]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this one! Guatemala is very much a developing country still but from what I saw of it the people took great pride in their home and kept places clean and tidy.

[@franciscokameko4671]

Great thing you’re doing! Where can we see the video you did? Also, what is being done to preserve their native language, so that it isn’t lost?

[@chrisandsara]

That's a really great question... I'm not too sure what steps they're taking to preserve it. I do know that the big push to teach them Spanish isn't to lose their culture, but rather allow them to enter the public school system which is all in Spanish. I certainly hope they are striving to preserve the language and culture!

[@hawl20]

Looks like we need to head back down for myself, Ally and Sara since Sara didn’t get to go. :)

[@chrisandsara]

Let's GOOOOO!

[@user-dj1zh8ms2v]

good video

[@chrisandsara]

Glad you enjoyed! Thank you for watching!

[@sijilo]

😊

[@chrisandsara]

🙏

[@lauraboggs4415]

So hard to believe that those babies entire future Relies or hinges on learning to begin to speak and write Spanish! Are the schools in Guatemala not prepared to make sure they learn? What happens with them if they don’t get it? This is Such a foreign concept to us as we in the US have a no child left behind attitude! Prayers for that ministry for making a better future for the Guatemalan people!

[@lauraboggs4415]

To clarify, that it relies on them learning crucial pieces at such a young age! Very interesting.. and sobering!

[@chrisandsara]

Despite there being dozens of indigenous languages still being spoke throughout Guatemala, the entire public school system in the country is in Spanish. Our understanding is that there are so many languages spoken that it makes it very difficult to help everyone bridge that gap and learn Spanish early on. I can't speak for the whole country, but if the kids don't learn Spanish before elementary school then they'll never go to school at all and will work on farms or doing other types of manual labor vs. something that enables upward mobility.

[@Justin_Beaver564]

There's actually English speaking Mayans next door in Belize

[@lucasdelosh5305]

This is beautifully done! I was wondering how Chris made it without coffee and then the ending was perfect. Thanks for sharing the story!

[@chrisandsara]

😂 you know Chris doesn't go too long without coffee!