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Profiles of our lay missionaries

Mary Murphy

My background is in art and illustration. Not very promising, I thought, for volunteering abroad, but luckily through Viatores Christi this placement in Guatemala arose.

There are two other VC volunteers in the area, and a couple of other Irish too, so there's always some contact and interaction. My work is varied, with opportunities for starting up projects (e.g. I'm organising an exchange of art between my Galway community and the community here, for Guatemalan/Irish exhibitions in both communities). I've had trips to amazing remote communities to facilitate art workshops, or to attend workshops myself. But the core of my work is in Quiché, with a youth program, overseeing a group of artisans who paint wooden crosses etc. I'm developing a new range of goods for them to try.

After less than three months I feel relaxed and at home, I'm renting a nice house and walk through the market every day en route to/from work. There wasn't suitable accommodation available through the organisation I'm with here (ACG: Accion Cultural Guatemala), but I would have rented away from the compound anyway.

The hard bit is language, teenagers being reluctant communicators at the best of times. Also Spanish is not the local language (there are more than 20 languages in Guatemala) so my Spanish and theirs do not always match. So communication is an issue in general. But a wonderful country (with security issues!), incredible scenery and culture, and people shy but welcoming.