Sign up to take a vision trip to serve our organization in Panajachel, Guatemala.
Come see what HUGS is doing for yourself!
Team Trips
We host team trips twice a year in October/November and March. Sponsors, donors, and anyone curious about our work in Panajachel, Guatemala, are invited to meet the kids, visit schools and homes, and experience the local culture. It’s a trip that will leave a lasting impact.
Each trip lasts 8 days, including travel. The cost is $1,200 per person plus airfare, covering hotel, meals, and local transportation. Team members only need to budget for souvenirs and snacks.
Panajachel, the area where HUGS is located, is an extremely safe area. There are unsafe areas in Guatemala, just like in the US, but they are not close to the area where HUGS works.
2026 Group Trip Dates
Aug. 19 - 27
Oct. 29 - Nov. 6
The Impact of a Vision Trip
Rhonda Barnes & Heyzel“I took my first vision trip in February. I wanted to see how H.U.G.S. actually worked, where my donations were going, and I wanted to meet Heyzel, the child I am sponsoring. I wasn’t expecting to be so profoundly changed by the experience. I won’t deny that seeing the level of poverty was hard. But witnessing the gratitude from the families and seeing the difference H.U.G.S. is making in their lives humbled me and helped me realize how truly blessed I am. And then I met Heyzel and my heart cracked wide open. I am so grateful for the experience, for the love, compassion, and gratitude I feel. I’m grateful for how the love in my heart just keeps growing. I’m going on my second trip in October and will probably go on many more. I highly recommend going on at least one vision trip, meeting your child, and seeing what a difference your sponsorship and donations are truly making.”
Rhonda Barnes.
Tracy WintersI currently serve on two committees at my local Methodist church. I grew up in both New York and Georgia. About ten years ago, I graduated from culinary school, and I am now pursuing a degree in public health. I work in the foodservice industry as a safety manager. Additionally, I have participated in a vision trip to Guatemala.
I had the opportunity to go to Guatemala for the first time last December (2025), and it was truly an amazing experience. From the moment I arrived, the families we visited welcomed me with such warmth and kindness. Some families had even prepared food for us. Even though we came from different backgrounds and spoke different languages, their hospitality made me feel right at home. Many of the situations they are living in are not easy, yet they showed so much positivity. It was incredibly humbling to witness. It made me reflect on my own life and how often I overlook the blessings I have. Meeting the child I sponsor meant the world to me. Seeing the awards he received for running was such a special moment and something I will always remember. I’m so thankful for this experience, and I look forward to going back to Guatemala and hopefully sharing it with my family.
Thank you,
Tracy Winters
Patty Dacus & DeboraI took my trip to Pana in October, 2025, and I must say, it was truly a life-changing experience. I had never been to that part of the world before and the pictures I had seen could not do justice to the spectacular scenery…volcanos and dense tropical jungle, spectacular fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers, and so much vibrant color all around magnificent Lake Atilan. It was indescribable. And, then I met the beautiful people who live there in their shops and market stands and in their meager homes. I was unprepared for how friendly, kind and generous they were; and so very proud of their Mayan heritage. I was amazed at how well planned out our visit was (thank you, Janni!), providing us the opportunity to get to know and work with the wonderful HUGS staff, planning, preparing, and having three parties for different groups of HUGS kids during that week, in addition to visiting schools, villages, and homes of the children we sponsor. We were also able to work in some spectacular meals and local shopping, so it was not all work! The very best part of my visit was getting to meet Debora, the little girl I sponsor, and her family members. Debora is a special needs child, and opportunities for education for her are more limited, but with the help of HUGS, she is in school and doing her very best there…and she appears to be thriving! I got to see her interact with other children, heard her laughter as she ran down the road flying a kite without a care in the world, and I got to visit her home — a cobbled together hut made of tin and plywood, with a dirt floor and an outdoor kitchen and bathroom. And, I got to give her a lot of hugs, from my heart to hers. Now, the pictures I have of her are so very meaningful…she is a real little girl, living in a tough environment, and making the most of it because we can help, thanks to HUGS. Go on a vision trip with HUGS and I guarantee it will change you for the better.
Patty Dacus
Renee Brown
& ElviaWhen I first agreed to go on a vision trip to Guatemala, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I knew I wanted to meet the child I was sponsoring, and experience their country and their culture, and I felt God calling me to go.
From the moment we arrived, I was struck by the beauty of the country and the warmth of the people. The HUGS team welcomed us as family, and even with language barriers and cultural differences, love was something we all understood. One of the most meaningful parts of my first trip was helping take children across the lake to receive dental care. For most of them, this was something they would not have access to otherwise. The boat ride itself felt like an adventure for the kids, but beyond the smiles was a deep reminder of how easily we take basic healthcare for granted. It was a powerful picture of love in action—meeting a real need and showing them that they are seen, valued, and cared for.
Throughout the week we visited many of the families HUGS sponsors, where I saw the abject poverty some of these people live in. Yet they were grateful for our presence, and the assistance HUGS was providing for their children - they know that the only way to break the cycle of poverty is thru an education. They all welcomed us as family, inviting us into their homes, showering us with hugs, smiles and love all around. We also had opportunities to simply let the kids be kids. We spent time taking them on fun activities—visiting the Nature Center, birthday parties at the kids’ homes, and pizza parties and games at the HUGS office.
Since my first trip in 2021 I have been on 4 more trips, and look forward to many more. Even with the limited resources these families have, their happiness and enthusiasm were overwhelming. Seeing the kids’ joy in simple things like throwing a football, playing a game of tag, or simply blowing bubbles, remind me that joy doesn’t come from possessions or comfort, but from connection, love and being present.
Renee Brown.
