Building Together in Guatemala: Honoring a Legacy Through Service

By: Bob Pineo

From May 2–11 of this year, I had the privilege of joining a Building Goodness Foundation (BGF) volunteer trip to Guatemala, where approximately twenty volunteers came together to support the La Puerta Abierta project.

Representing BGF were two team leaders, while the volunteer group included people from across California and beyond. What made the experience so remarkable was not just the work we accomplished, but the incredible group of people who came together to make it happen.

Our volunteers represented an extraordinary range of backgrounds, professions, and experiences. Ages ranged from the mid-twenties to nearly ninety years old. Some arrived with extensive construction experience, while others simply brought a willingness to help. What united everyone was a spirit of generosity, hard work, and commitment to serving others. Throughout the week, I was continually impressed by the kindness, humility, and determination demonstrated by every member of the team.

A central purpose of the trip was to celebrate and honor the life of Barry Khalili, a beloved volunteer whose passion for service left a lasting impact on many people. Barry's family joined us in Guatemala, making the week especially meaningful. During the trip, the family presented a generous donation of $31,500 to support the project and continue the work that Barry cared so deeply about. Their contribution was both inspiring and moving, serving as a reminder that a legacy of service can continue long after someone is gone.

The work itself was physically demanding but incredibly rewarding. Together, we moved enormous quantities of gravel, sand, and concrete to support major phases of construction. By the end of the trip, significant progress had been made on the floor and roof structure of the primary building under construction. It was a true team effort, with volunteers of every age and skill level contributing side by side. Watching people come together to tackle such a large undertaking reinforced one of the core truths of volunteer work: remarkable things happen when individuals commit themselves to a shared purpose.

Of course, the experience extended far beyond the job site. Some of the most memorable moments came after the workday ended. We shared meals, stories, laughter, and excursions that allowed us to learn more about each other and the local community. Friendships formed quickly and naturally, strengthened by the shared challenges and successes of each day.

I was fortunate to serve alongside Aaron Revere, a longtime BGF volunteer leader and one of the first project managers I ever worked with through the organization. Aaron brought experience, leadership, and a steady presence to the trip, helping guide both the work and the team. Having the opportunity to reconnect and work together again was one of many highlights of the week.

This trip also reminded me of the tremendous value that Building Goodness Foundation brings to its volunteers. Beyond organizing impactful projects, BGF invests in preparing its leaders through safety training, leadership development, and medical response training. These programs equip volunteers not only to contribute effectively on project sites but also to respond confidently in challenging situations and emergencies elsewhere.

As I reflect on the week, I am filled with gratitude—for the volunteers who gave their time and energy, for Barry Khalili's family and their extraordinary generosity, for the community we served, and for Building Goodness Foundation's ongoing commitment to improving lives through service. Together we advanced an important project, forged friendships, honored a remarkable man’s legacy, and demonstrated what is possible when people come together with open hearts and a willingness to help, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.