So after we arrive in the lovely San Pedro and slotted into our Guatemalan family, we started the dreaded Spanish Language classes.

Emily of course was in her element and loves abit of school on a holiday. Dave was not so keen.

The photo is of Dave with his long suffering teacher called Ruben. The course consisted of 4 hours of lessons every day for a week. 4 hours!!!!!!!

As we all expect Dave struggled through (however he did bunk off one day) and completed 16 of the 20 hours. And can now sort of just about speak some Spanish.

The school is a Cooperative of local teachers which also uses the money us rich westerner spend on lessons to help out the community. Dave and Emily accompanied them on their fortnightly food distribution to the most under priviledged families.

It was an eye opener. We visited a elder woman who has lost all three children and her husband, and house. There is no back up system in Guatemala so she is completely without money. The next family lived in a rather rundown house, just one room and a kitchen for five of them. The husband had become blinded after falling down a mountain, and the wife had cancer. Again no back up in this country to help out.

Makes you realise how lucky we are in the UK?

The Cooperative also does more long term good, they provide snacks to the local school children and help pay towards teaching staff. There is also a new constuction programme to build new homes for those who need them.

It was a privilege to undertake Spanish lessons here and know that our money has gone to such good work.

Lessons complete, Dave head hurts after all that one on one Spanish, Emily really wanted to do more but Dave would probably cry if he had to do more......so Emily agreed that its time to undertake a slightly less challenging passtime and climb a mountain...........