This August, I had the privilege of doing something I’d always dreamed of: traveling with Global Goods to do service work in another country. After 28 years working in K–12 schools as a Digital Learning Director, I retired and finally had the time and freedom to say yes to something I’d long desired. So I called my dear friend, Danielle Mannion, and said, “Sign me up for your next Global Goods trip.”
Danielle’s mother, Jacquie Rogers, started Global Goods in the early 2000s. What began as a way to support artisans by bringing handmade wares from local markets to the U.S. soon grew into a mission with deeper purpose, using proceeds to fund schools, charities, and communities in need.
I had followed their work for years, always wanting to join a trip but never finding the time while working full-time and raising my kids. This year, that changed when Danielle and Jacquie welcomed me along.
Our destination: Antigua, Guatemala, and more specifically, the Jardín de Amor School, a nonprofit, privately funded school in Santa María de Jesús, a small town nestled on the slopes of a volcano overlooking Antigua.
Jardín de Amor (“Garden of Love”) was founded in 2005 by Julio Garcia, who was just twenty years old at the time. His vision was simple yet transformative: to break the cycle of poverty through education. Today, the school not only provides learning opportunities for some of Guatemala’s poorest children but also serves as a community hub offering health services, job support, and housing assistance.
Standing in the schoolyard, watching gym class unfold beneath the towering volcano, I was struck by how alive the place felt. The laughter of children echoed throughout the school. Teachers smiled proudly as students completed math lessons, worked on computers, and played in the courtyard. It felt familiar, like schools I’d visited across the U.S., yet profoundly different. For these children, this school was their only chance for an education. Before Jardín de Amor, there was none.
While we were there, Danielle filmed a documentary and interviewed one of the school’s teachers, Antonia. At ten years old, Antonia arrived at Jardín de Amor unable to read or write. Through the love and support of her family and the school community, she not only finished high school but went on to college and returned as a teacher. As she shared her story, tears filled her eyes and everyone in the room broke down.
Gratitude hit me hard in this very special place. These students, many of whom walk a distance each day to attend school, radiate joy. Their gratitude isn’t spoken; it’s lived.
As educators, we often see ourselves as the givers, the ones imparting knowledge and guidance. But during those few days at Jardín de Amor, I realized I was the one learning. Gratitude isn’t about what we have; it’s about how we see. It’s finding joy in simplicity, strength in community, and purpose in service.
One of my favorite reflections came while sitting on the steps of the school courtyard, watching the children play. “Gym class under a volcano,” I thought. How extraordinary, and yet, for them, it was everyday life.
After our days at the school, we traveled to Panajachel, a colorful lakeside town on Lake Atitlán surrounded by volcanoes and rich Mayan culture. From there, we visited the famous market in Chichicastenango, alive with color, sound, and spirit, every corner bursting with handmade crafts, woven textiles, and the heartbeat of a proud indigenous community.
But my heart kept drifting back to Santa María de Jesús. To the teachers who pour their souls into their work. To Julio, whose belief in education has transformed a community. To the students who reminded me that learning is, at its core, an act of hope.
My friend and colleague, Nili Bartley, author of Lead From Where You Are, once shared:
“We never know what might inspire even one person. Sharing your stories might inspire others to share theirs.”
This post is my way of honoring Nili’s advice, to share what I saw, what I felt, and what I learned.
Maybe what seems ordinary to me now, the joy of a schoolyard under a volcano, the courage of a young teacher, the laughter of children learning against all odds will inspire someone else.
Our stories connect us. And in a world that often feels divided or disconnected, sharing gratitude and humanity feels more essential than ever.
As November invites us to reflect on gratitude, I carry this experience with me. I’m thankful for:
- The people of Santa María de Jesús, their beauty, strength, and joyful hope
- Danielle and Jacquie for creating a bridge of service through Global Goods
- The privilege of witnessing education’s power to transform lives
Most of all, I’m grateful for the reminder that joy and purpose can bloom anywhere, even in a gym class under a volcano.
During this season of giving, consider supporting Global Goods and the incredible work they do to uplift communities through education and economic empowerment. Your donation helps provide essential supplies, fund school programs like Jardín de Amor, and create sustainable opportunities for families in need. Visit www.globalgoods.org/donate to make a contribution today and help grow this Garden of Love. Together, we can keep the spirit of gratitude and giving alive all year long.
