More reflections on Guatemala

My trip to Guatemala has stayed with me in a powerful way—especially as friends and family continue to ask what I thought of the experience. From San José, it’s just over an hour by plane to Guatemala City, making it a quick and affordable trip. We visited the stunning Acatenango volcano and wandered through the rich, historical streets of Antigua. I’m so grateful I went, and I’d love to return someday. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t also make me deeply uncomfortable.

What unsettled me was the stark contrast in income and opportunity. It was hard not to feel the weight of that disparity. And yet, this discomfort has also deepened my commitment to Project Wonder—our mission to make entrepreneurial tools and learning accessible to students and changemakers around the world.

One project that especially inspired me was the Paco Piñas initiative. It’s proof that real change can start at the local level. The women running the library there are doing more than just providing books—they’re nurturing futures. They work tirelessly to help children build skills that matter, both in school and in life. Being there gave me a genuine sense of hope.

While we were visiting, Owen was talking about hope and it stuck with me: “Hope is really the best thing that we can give to people."  I saw that firsthand at the community center. There was a garden growing, shelves full of books, games to play—and most importantly, a group of women showing up every day to nurture the children. That kind of love and commitment is transformative.

If we can help support and bring more structure to community-driven organizations like this—anywhere in the world—then we start to create small but meaningful shifts. Even when I feel uneasy about the inequities I witness, places like this give me hope. And hope, I believe, is where change begins.