Semilla Nueva hasImage
 put together a series of trip opportunities for our supporters. Our goal is to provide supporters an opportunity visit the sites where our projects take place, work together with Semilla Nueva's staff, and obtain a more intimate understanding of the work they are supporting. These trips are available to Rotary members, Semilla Nueva Board of Director members, SN Associate Board members, and potential new supporters. Thus, you can expect to share your experience with a variety of people sure to enrich your experience. Our hope is to grow our support base as well as enhance our existing base by giving a more personal perspective and engagement with the work of Semilla Nueva. We consider all of our supporters a part of the Semilla Nueva family, and for that reason we want you feel deeply connected to the real work that goes on here.

 
What Trip options are available?


1. Immersion Trip
This trip is intended for those who want to really dive into the on-the-ground, hands-on, fully-engaged work of Semilla Nueva in rural communities. You will spend the week living and working with Semilla Nueva staff in our partner communities. You will spend time helping farmers plant and/or harvest, as well as spending general time hanging out with the families, sharing meals and conversations. The amenities are minimal in ―the campo‖ – you can expect to take bucket showers, eat traditional foods, and experience heat and insects.


2. Work Trip
This trip is intended for those who would like to experience the work of Semilla Nueva on a day-trip basis and be able to return to a comfortable hotel afterward. You will work with farmers to plant and/or harvest during the day, but will return to the city of Retalhuleu in the evenings to stay in a hotel with hot showers, wifi access, and various restaurant options. Because of the accommodations back in Reu, the travel time for this trip is slightly more – you can expect to be riding in trucks over harsh roads for up to 2.5 hours per day to get to the communities and back.


What dates are available? 

TYPE OF TRIP DATES PRIMARY ACTIVITIES


IMMERSION TRIP #1

May 13th-17th
Helping farmers plant high protein and open pollination corn varieties; participate in cooking and nutrition lessons surrounding pigeonpea and Chaya
WORK TRIP #1
May 20th-24th
Same as above, but involves hotel stays
WORK TRIP #2
August 12th-16th
Same as below, but involves hotel stays.


IMMERSION TRIP #2


August 19th-23rd
Helping farmers plant pigeonpea Kuchubal style as well as nutrition trainings on Chaya and Quality Protein Maize
Basic Itinerary (subject to change)
Sunday
 Arrival and pickup by Semilla Nueva at airport. Coordinate your ticket to arrive before 10pm Sunday night
 Spend the night in Antigua, Guatemala—One of Guatemala's most important cultural centers and favorite tourist destinations
Monday
 Relaxed morning in Antigua, introduction to Guatemala and the work of Semilla Nueva presentation at Hotel Euromaya in the morning
 Leave for the coast at 10 AM
 Arrive at 1:00 to the first community visit. This day will not include work, but rather will be an introduction to the communities. We will spend a couple of hours talking, eating tortillas, and seeing a few fields.
 Return to Retalhuleu at 4:30. Enjoy a relaxing evening in Hotel Astor with a pool and air conditioning!
 Immersion Trip members will stay in the communities with the farming families instead of returning to Retalhuleu.
Tuesday
 Leave Retalhuleu at 9:00 AM for full work day
 Activities include working with farmers to harvest corn or pigeonpea, visiting farmer’s fields, sharing lunch with farmers, translated conversation time with farmers.
 Leave communities to return to Reu at 4:00 PM
 Immersion trip members will stay with farming families
Wednesday
 Leave Retalhuleu at 9:00 AM for full work day
 Activities include working with farmers to harvest corn or pigeonpea, visiting farmer’s fields, sharing lunch with farmers, translated conversation time with farmers.
 Leave communities for Reu at 4:00 PM
 Immersion Trip members will stay with farming families
Thursday
 Leave Reu at 9:00 AM for full work day
 Activities include working with farmers to harvest corn or pigeonpea, visiting farmer’s fields, sharing lunch with farmers, translated conversation time with farmers.
 Immersion trip members will stay with farming families
Friday
 Enjoy breakfast at Hotel Astor in the morning
 10:00-11:30 Am will be a debrief session with all trip participants to talk about what was learned on the trip, highs and lows, how we can move forward in our partnership.
 In the afternoon all will be given assistance in their next travel plans. Participants who are staying beyond the SN tour dates will be set up with a shuttle to their desired destination (Lake Atitlan, the Pyramids, Antigua, etc.). Participants who are leaving will be set up with a shuttle to Guatemala City Airport.


Budget:
Trip participants will be responsible for making their own flight reservations, payments, and arrangements to Guatemala. Generally one can expect to spend between $600-800 for a flight from the United States to Guatemala City round trip. Trip participants will then be responsible for writing a check to Semilla Nueva in the amount of $460. This fee covers all costs while in country including food, lodging, and transportation. Trip participants should bring extra funds for purchasing gifts, snacks, water, etc. Be sure to send all travel arrangements to Kristin Lacy at Kristinlacy@semillanueva.org as soon as possible.


Safety and Optional Travel Insurance:
Keep in mind that travel is at your own risk. While most tourists never face any problems, you must take appropriate precautions. If you have never traveled in Central America, please contact a Rotarian who has, or contact the Trip Administrator Kristin Lacy to discuss options. Lonely Planet and other guidebooks provide good overview of the issues facing travelers within Central America. Travel insurance provides medical and property insurance during the course of your trip. It is not required, but can cover you in the small chance of medical issues or robbery during the trip. Travel Insurance will cost between $100-200 depending on the coverage. Trip Administrator Kristin Lacy can help you find options if you are interested.
We hope to see you soon!


We are very excited to share incredible, life-changing experiences with you. In 2012, we hosted 21 Rotarians on a week-long immersion trip. Based on the follow-up, there is no doubt that all of the participants walked away completely changed. From the words of Mike Sieler, a participant of the 2012 trip, ―What I appreciated most about my trip to Guatemala was being fully immersed in the work of Semilla Nueva out in the fields. We worked hand in hand with farmers harvesting corn and compare results. Some of us even walked barefoot in the mud.‖ We consider all of our supporters part of the Semilla Nueva family and we want to offer you an intimate connection to the work. Thank you for considering sharing your time with us in Guatemala, and we look forward to any questions, concerns, or special accommodations we can make in order to create an exceptional Guatemalan adventure for you!
Contact: Kristin Lacy, Kristinlacy@semillanueva.org