Some are on the verge of tears, while others offer nervous smiles, all recognizing that this moment signifies the beginning of a transformative journey far from home.
“I have never left Guatemala City, let alone my country,” said Billy, one of the participants. “My family is thrilled because I will be the first among us to travel abroad.”
Safe route
Their three-month opportunity is part of a pilot project aimed at establishing safe and regular labor migration pathways. This initiative is supported by the Guatemalan government, the German Embassy in Guatemala, the Technical Training and Productivity Institute, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The journey is driven by a sense of purpose shaped by resilience, determination, and years of effort. In Germany, this goal will translate into skills, technical knowledge, and a commitment to supporting loved ones back home.
Months of training culminated in a single moment at the gate, where determination triumphed over nerves.
Workers will train and work as packaging distributors, acquiring valuable skills, supporting their families, and building new connections overseas.
After months of preparation, the moment feels both surreal and hard-earned, the result of months of study, evaluation, and anticipation.
Ricardo, a 36-year-old Mayan from Alta Verapaz, a region in northern Guatemala known for its rich coffee production, used to wake up at 1 a.m. to travel to Guatemala City for the training sessions held as part of the pilot project.
He hopes this new chapter can help him establish a more stable future at home.
Oscar, a car mechanic, along with Douglas and John, all expressed that they were undertaking the journey to provide their children with a safer and better future.
“When I heard the news, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I had applied for the program a year earlier and had almost given up hope. Then, all of a sudden, I got a call. I’m going in with pride; I want to show what Guatemalans are made of.”
For many participants, a simple social media post announcing the opportunity was the first step toward something they had never imagined.
Technical training on automotive systems and safety prepared the men for the challenges ahead, enhancing their skills well before boarding the plane.
In the months leading up to their departure, the group took classes to learn skills they believed would last a lifetime—studying engines, maintenance systems, and the correct names of car parts.
The group also attended German classes organized by IOM, intercultural sessions, and virtual tours of their future workplace.
What they practice abroad will resonate back home, strengthening their communities, inspiring others, and initiating small changes across borders.
For John, enthusiasm was as much linked to discovery as to professional development.
“It’s not just about salary. It’s about something deeper: discovering another country, meeting new people, understanding how they live, their food, their culture, their way of celebrating. In the end, it’s not about what you earn, but what stays with you long after you leave.”
As the training progressed, a different type of growth took shape. The ten men grew closer through group chats where they shared messages, jokes, questions, and small details about their lives.
At the airport, families wave and shout words of encouragement as the group heads toward the gate.
Before entering the departure hall, Oscar concludes a video call with his family.
“Does what lies ahead worry me? No, but it certainly excites me,” he said.
Leave a Reply