by Erik Moeser
Our Elmbrook Rotary Team of 12 leaves on Feb 16 for a week of volunteering at Common Hope in Antigua, Guatemala where they will build a house, work with kids and families, and do whatever else CH needs us to. This will be our 12th ERC team trip there since the first one in 2012. Close to 40 of our members have traveled, along with numerous spouses and family members, and friends. Guests from a half dozen neighboring clubs have also joined us. Making up our team this year are Elmbrook Rotarians Harry Farchmin, Mark Thurner, Kemal Yilmaz, Kerri Richlen, Phyllis Blodgett, Erik and Carol Moeser, plus Neenah Rotarian and District 6270 Secretary Dana Kohlmeyer, together with her daughter Kendall who lives in Los Angeles, and Kenosha West Rotary Club member Fran Wargolet (Ms. Shelter Box) and her daughter Katrina and granddaughter Sophie.
Shown in the photo are Thomas Steinbach and member Rick Chabot with the trumpets they have donated to Common Hope. Ricks has been with him for 80 years, beginning when he was 7 years old! Together with several flutes, clarinets, recorders and a flugelhorn, which were donations from club members and other sources they will be taken to Guatemala and given to Common Hope to help with their budding music program. All of the 14 instruments have been checked over and undergone refurbishment at White House of Music in Waukesha, which did the repairs at a deep discount and donated three clarinets. Thanks to Tom Curl who headed up this project!
Erik, Carol, Mark, and Kemal will stay on to visit another school that is supported by several ERC members. It is located on Lake Atitlán in the small city of Santiago. The school, La Puerta Abierta, was founded by our friend Amanda, a Peace Corps volunteer who stayed in Guatemala after her tour there to build a school for Mayan children who had no access to education. She married a Belgian ex-pat and raised two girls who are now late high school and college age. He runs the gas station, a health bar, and a brewery/guest house where we will stay for a few days :-)
Harry is also staying in Guatemala after our week at Common Hope. He will meet with members of the Rotary Club of Vista Hermosa and Engineers Without Borders – Guatemala. He will visit our current Global Grant project and the past projects we supported through the Engineers Without Borders, Marquette Student Chapter, whose members recently were speakers at our club.
A team for 2026 will be formed in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to talk with Erik Moeser, or any of the many ERC members familiar with the water project.
