Count Down

The count down to departure day has begun. Once again we will head to El Remate, Guatemala to work with the good people there. This year we have a few new tasks one of which I am excited about: We are going to put in a computer lab in Ix-Canaan. After many weeks of work, updating, packing, then finding a way to ship, we have, as of today, 13 computers on the ground in Guatemala City. I want to thank Michael Oppel for the work he did on updating and adding software to the computers. I believe he spent almost 2 full weeks getting them into shape and without his commitment we probably wouldn't have made the deadline.The guys at the VSU Warehouse were also very helpful in getting the shipment off to Guatemala. They helped us pack and wrap so we would have the smallest and least costly configuration for shipping.


They did a great job!

We have arrived!!!

Our team has arrived in Guatemala...we got to Hotel Gringo Perdido last night around 4:45 PM local time. We enjoyed a tour of the hotel and land which was beautiful. We then enjoyed a great dinner, prepared hand made from the staff. It was great to view the water as we ate dinner and after we took a step out onto the deck to see all the beautiful stars. It is amazing!! You do not see the stars in Valdosta like you do in El Remate!! After a restful night for most we are currently at Project Ix-Canaan contacting our loved ones and preparing to tour Ix-Canaan and the amazing city!! We will keep you all informed as soon as possible!

The picture is one taken by Jeff as we toured the hotel land last night...BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Team: Nikki Mitchell

Hey guys! Im still learning how to do everything on here but i thought it would be a good idea to give you a little information about me...

I am a senior Accounting and Finance major at Valdosta State University. I am originally from Valdosta and love the area. I have been involved in SIFE for three years now. I started out as the secretary and as the years have progresses so have my positions. My second year in the organization I was Programs Director and this year I am the President. SIFE is a great organization the gives students opportunities to reach out and help others as well as helping yourself.

I am really looking forward to out trip to Guatemala. I think it will be a very beneficial experience for the people of El Remate, in addition, to VSU SIFE and the SBDC. I know that the process has been very busy lately because our team has faced many unexpected challenges, however, I think that we have an amazing group of individuals heading up this project!

T minus 2 weeks, and counting

This project is led by Scott Manley, Assistant Director of the VSU SBDC and SIFE Business Advisory Board Member, along with Jeff Shipley, SIFE Faculty Advisor. Students participating include Cameron Hoopes, a junior marketing major, and Nikki Mitchell, a senior finance and accounting major and current VSU SIFE president.

Today, Wednesday 11/4, starts the last round of vaccinations. We've already been poked and prodded (several times!), but now must start our oral malaria and typhoid vaccinations. Our little group will depart Valdosta at 5:45 on Wednesday, November 18th. We'll fly to Atlanta, then to Cancun, and finally to Flores, Guatemala, where we will be escorted to Hotel Gringo Perdido outside the village of El Remate. We'll spend the next five days working with the Hotel Gringo Perdido and project Ix-Canaan before returning home on Tuesday, November 24th.