University of Dreams Foundation

Economic Development Program

The Real Guatemala - Guided Tour through a Quaint Village

Set in high in the mountains just outside the city of Antigua, the small farming village of Vuelta Grande is a representation of what daily life is like in rural Guatemala. These indigenous people harvest their crops on steep mountain slopes at an elevation of 1,500 feet. Boys as young as eight begin to work in the field alongside their fathers while girls work with their mothers tending to younger siblings and performing household chores.

Although this community has made great strides towards sustainability, a lack of basic necessities keeps Vuelta Grande from reaching its full potential. The University of Dreams Foundation and La Union saw an opportunity to help improve the lives of these people beyond their loftiest goals.

The dry season in Guatemala lasts approximately 6 months. Vuelta Grande has no major way to contain the abundance of water that falls during the rainy season, which means that they go three to four months with little to no water for cooking, cleaning and drinking. After many pleas for help and several town meetings it became clear just how dire the situation had become. The villagers need a water tank. After seeing first-hand how important this was for Vuelta Grande, a vision far greater than the tank itself began to emerge.

University of Dreams Foundation will sponsor a community-based enterprise for Vuelta Grande. How much better would it be to enable the community to generate perpetual revenue for multiple infrastructure projects rather than just to provide them with a water tank? This will be a project in which profits and donations will go directly into the village coffers. By stimulating the local economy, sustainable development will be achieved and the community will lift itself up.

This community owned business will be a tour through the village of Vuelta Grande. The experience is a journey through time. Tourists and Guatemalans alike will come to Vuelta Grande to hike in the mountains and through their village. They will see breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of forest, agriculture and distant volcanoes during a 90-minute hike led by a knowledgeable guide from the community. Once reaching the vista, they will also enjoy a delicious meal prepared and served by members of the village. This project exposes the true riches of Vuelta Grande and their greatest resources, the beauty of their land and the warmth of their people.

The Real Guatemala provides not only an educational hike, but it grants the participant the opportunity to experience a place like no other. Together they will be sharing in the natural beauty of the land, hearing the rich history, and eating their delicious food. They experience the flavors of the local culture and personally assist in the generation of financial support for the community.

The Real Guatemala project is a joint effort between University of Dreams Foundation, La Union Spanish School and the community of Vuelta Grande.

The University of Dreams Foundation is committed to supporting "The Real Guatemala" community-owned business in Vuelta Grande through:

Infrastructure funding to complete the lunch pavilion and kitchen, trail fix up, trail signs, cooking supplies, food inventory
Marketing & promotion support through continued funding for materials and volunteers to promote the tour throughout Antigua
Project development & staff training through quarterly volunteer trips

La Union

As a liaison between University of Dreams Foundation and the community of Vuelta Grande, La Union provides day-to-day support for the implementation and execution of "The Real Guatemala." Some of the support they offer includes:

Marketing the tour through their own travel agency and their connections with other travel agencies
Business administration services
Translation & transportation provided to drive customers from Antigua to Vuelta Grande and to translate throughout the tour
Training the staff of "The Real Guatemala" tour
Food & supplies purchasing and delivery

Vuelta Grande

Led by a mayor and town council, this leadership committee guides community projects and identifies external resources for supporting growth and development in the village. The council's responsibilities for "The Real Guatemala" tour include:

Staff hiring from the community
Training for security guards and other support staff
Trail upkeep & development by hiring community members and holding the entire community responsible for maintaining the grounds
Communication & feedback from community via "town hall" meetings to ensure transparency and community buy-in
Public funds planning including budgeting, needs assessment and infrastructure project implementation