As DreamTrips celebrates its milestone 20th anniversary and an exciting global re-launch, we’re proud to announce the return of one of our most meaningful partnerships — our renewed relationship with Hug It Forward, the grassroots organization behind Guatemala’s transformative Bottle Schools.
Where Sustainability Meets Community Power
Hug It Forward’s mission is simple yet powerful: they unite communities to build environmentally responsible classrooms using eco-bricks — plastic bottles packed with inorganic trash — turning waste into opportunity. By empowering local families to take part in every step of the building process, HIF not only creates sustainable educational spaces, but also sparks long-term awareness around trash management, environmental responsibility, and community ownership. Their work proves that when people come together, lasting change is possible.
A Legacy Written in Schools, Not Just Memories
And together, we’ve already proven just how big that change can be.
Over the past decade, DreamTrips members and Hug It Forward have built 150 Bottle Schools across Guatemala — one of the largest social impact legacies in the entire travel industry. These schools didn’t just open doors for children in rural communities… they opened hearts, shifted perspectives, and connected travelers to a deeper sense of global purpose.
“When People Travel With Intention, Incredible Things Happen.”
Zach Balle,