Wed, Nov 19
|Bellarmine School, McAstocker Theatre
WACT Speaker Series | Peace in Practice
Peace in Practice: Transforming Lives in Rural Guatemala In rural Guatemala, Indigenous women cook 6–8 hours over indoor fires, exposing families—especially children—to toxic smoke; Brian Dirks and David Snow will share how Hands for Peacemaking is improving conditions.
Time & Location
Nov 19, 2025, 7:00 PM
Bellarmine School, McAstocker Theatre, 2300 S Washington St, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA
About the event
This presentation highlights the transformative work of Hands for Peacemaking Foundation teams partnering with rural Maya villages in Guatemala to improve health and daily life through the installation of clean air stoves and water filtration systems. By replacing traditional open fire cooking methods and providing access to safe drinking water, the initiative reduces respiratory illness, lowers environmental impact, and empowers communities with sustainable tools for well-being. These projects blend cultural respect with practical innovation, fostering long-term resilience and meaningful collaboration between volunteers and local families. Hands for Peacemaking is a Washington-based non-profit with a manufacturing and skills center in Santa Cruz Barillas, situated in the western highlands of Guatemala just south of the Mexican border. Presenters are Foundation Board President Brian Dirks, a Federal Way area resident who has made the trip 10 times with his church in Northeast Tacoma, nine as team leader, and David Snow of Tacoma, who has gone twice with the West Seattle Rotary Club, served in the Guatemala with the Peace Corps in his youth and has worked extensively in non-profit and corporate management. Both Dirks and Snow are members of the WACT Board.