Luis Eduardo Archila
'Archie' is a volunteer fireman in Guatemala City. A sales manager by day, at weekends he puts on his uniform and goes out with the Bomberos Volantarios at Decima (10) Fire Station. He was Angie's host for her first few days.
What did you think of the whole experience?
I feel that the crew were very good professionals with a big heart, and always open to suggestions.
The experience was unforgettableArchie
The experience was unforgettable! To have a camera filming your every move, changes your way of seeing things.
If they asked me if I would do it again, I wouldn't think twice, the answer would be yes. Thanks for the opportunity!
I identified with Angie a lot. She's an excellent person, very kind, warm and who knows her job well.
I think that from the first patient that we treated together, and despite the language barrier and the different ways of working, we communicated really well, and gave the patients the treatment they deserved.
This got better and better the longer we worked together.
My family accepted her very quickly as well.
Why did you agree to Angie coming to work with you?
To be on the television! Ha Ha Ha... Just kidding!
I have always thought that if you feel you are doing something right, you have to teach it and let other people see how to do it.
Taking part in this programme will allow us to share how we work, with the resources we have, and will show others what they can also do, so they can also value what they do more and appreciate what they have.
What did you think a British paramedic would be like?
First we assumed it would be a man, someone who was 2m tall with muscles everywhere.
Then when we found out that it was a woman, we never thought it would be a lady with family, that's for sure!
What were your first thoughts when Angie arrived?
Angie made a really good impression and she knew exactly what we were talking about when we talked about anything related to the ambulance work.
When we started showing her the rescue and fire equipment, it was like we were talking rocket scienceArchie
But when we start showing her the rescue and fire equipment, it was like we were talking rocket science to her.
Then she explained that in her town the jobs of a paramedic and fire-fighter are separate.
Still she was very open to learn and understand, she was always listening and also happy to share what she knew.
If you asked me, would I do the whole thing again? I will say yes, if it's with Angie!
What advice would you give to someone thinking of being filmed?
Just do it! It's a great experience.
It does involve a lot of time and effort but we felt that if you can show the world the good things you do and highlight the needs of your country, then there is no pressure that you can't handle.
How did Angie handle it?
I think she handled it fine. From the first shift we worked together it was like we had worked together for many years, each of us just knowing instinctively what to do.
For her it was shocking - the first time she has seen anything like thisArchie
We were in a really dangerous area and we had to "pick and pack" the patients – get them into the ambulance and deal with them in a safe place really fast - but the team work was really amazing, even though there was a language barrier.
Then I was with her when we picked the first shooting. I think for her it was shocking. I think it was the first time she has seen anything like this in her career so far.
In the end I was able to show her the bad things in my country but also some of the good things. We took her to our church where she saw how important God is to us. And we took her up to the north of the country to Antigua (a colonial city) where she was able to see another side, a good side of our country. She experienced the safety of an inland, country town.
Angie probably learned some new skills on shift, things she must have studied but never got the chance to practice.
Also now Angie knows that there is a little country called Guatemala, in central America, and there are people here who are passionate about helping others without expecting anything back.
I'm pretty sure that even though we don't have much, she will value the things she experienced here.
What do you think the British public will think?
Unfortunately the British people will see the dangers we have here and what we are exposed everyday, but I hope they will also see that God is blessing Guatemala with a lot of good things; good food, good family relations, nice places to visit and special nice people, and that the good things outweigh the bad things.
Come and visit Guatemala and learn our culture and visit all the nice places we have. We will be here to welcome you and treat you like you are at home, just how we did with Angie, opening our homes and our hearts to let her come in!
What did you expect the crew to be like?
When I first heard that the producer and assistant producer were coming, for research and prior to the actual filming, I was expecting these glamorous people, then I met Kevin and Silvia and they were amazing.
Kevin was always thinking and never speaking and Silvia always speaking!
But they were real people, just like us! They had great ideas and were really relaxed!
When they came back again to do the actual filming Silvia was always stressed and Kevin always pushing for more!
Paul was a great cameraman, always calm, even travelling at 180 km per hour in front of the ambulance!
I really loved working with all of them!