Continuing a powerful tradition of international service, a five-person volunteer team from real estate firm Branchburg-based Larken Associates recently returned from a mission trip to Guatemala.
Working in partnership with From Houses to Homes, a local organization dedicated to uplifting impoverished Indigenous families, the Larken team spent five days constructing a new, sustainable home in Parramos.
Breaking the cycle of poverty
Guatemala remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with disproportionate hardship falling on Indigenous communities. Many families still rely on makeshift shelters constructed from cornstalks or metal sheets that offer little protection from the elements.
From Houses to Homes works to break this cycle by:
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Building durable homes: Over 2,000 homes have been built to date.
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Providing education: Operating Escuela Kemna’oj, a pre-K through 9th-grade school.
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Delivering health care: Offering essential services to the community.
A long-standing commitment
This mission continues a deep partnership initiated by Larken Associates President and CEO David Gardner, who has personally taken more than 15 trips to the region. Since 2019, over 30 Larken employees have participated in these missions.
“It is a privilege to help build safe, stable homes and contribute to meaningful change that extends far beyond the construction site,” Gardner said.
In addition to construction, the firm sponsors the education of two children at Escuela Kemna’oj and organizes an annual donation drive. This year, volunteers distributed clothing and shoes, toys, toiletries and school supplies.
The volunteer effort extended beyond construction and donations. Throughout the week, the Larken team deliberately purchased food, water, and household necessities from small local stores to inject money directly into the community.
“It’s humbling to see how far a simple gesture, whether it’s a bag of groceries, school supplies, or even a treat for the children, can go in creating moments of joy and support,” Kelly Cammarata, Larken executive administrator and team leader for the 2025 mission said.
To learn more about this mission or to support the effort, visit From Houses to Homes.
