The 2025 GLP Tour group with staff, students, and other Rotarian volunteers visiting the Education Center in San Lucas, Sacatepequez, Guatemala.
Just last month, we journeyed to Guatemala with 36 enthusiastic travelers for an unforgettable GLP Tour.
With eight days full of laughter, meaningful moments, and incredible stories, narrowing it down to one favorite memory was impossible—so we’re sharing SIX!
Six: La quema de toritos
Experiencing El Torito was an unforgettable thrill! As the firework-adorned bull danced through the crowd, sparks flew, and the sky lit up with dazzling colors and cheers—a perfect blend of excitement, tradition, and celebration.
Five: Playing Lotería
Playing lotería outdoors in small groups with the technology program students was pure fun! With cards in hand and smiles all around, laughter echoed as everyone cheered, joked, and celebrated each lucky win.
Four: Learning about cacao
A sweet highlight of the GLP Tour was learning about the rich history and cultural significance of chocolate and cacao. Our group visited a local cacao cooperative in San Juan La Laguna, where we discovered the traditional methods of harvesting, roasting, and grinding cacao beans. The skilled artisans shared their expertise, demonstrating how this ancient craft has been passed down for generations.
Three: Playing with the kids
Whether we’re blowing bubbles, reading together, creating sidewalk art with chalk, or even hitting a piñata… Spending time with the kids is always a fun-filled adventure, bursting with smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments.
Two: Experiencing vibrant culture and heritage with Rise students in their homes
Unique to each student’s communities, our Rise youth scholars showcased their traditional goods and dances for us to see.
One: Making memories… while making an impact
New friendships and tons of memories were made over our 8 wonderful days traveling across the Western Highlands together, all strengthened by our work together to break the cycle of poverty in Guatemala through education.
Great photos clearly showing the happiness this trip brought to Guatemala!
I hope in the future Marlene and I will return. It has been 5 years since we have been to Guatemala.