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Artisans United for the development of Lake Atitlán (AUDA)
Freida Whiddon Cox - Founder & Executive Director
(011)502-5567-8917 Frieda’s Cell
(011)502-4262-0188 Bobby's Cell
www.audaguatemala.org
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AUDA is a community-based association dedicated to the economic and social empowerment of traditionally marginalized groups, particularly indigenous women and children in the Lake Atitlán region. AUDA helps indigenous Guatemalan cooperative groups receive fair wages by connecting them to new markets and buyers. Profits from sales are also reinvested for the larger development of the Lake Atitlán region.
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Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation
Santa Cruz La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala
PO box 148, Lopez Island. WA 98261
www.amigosdesantacruz.org
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Amigos has been working in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala since 1998. The mission of Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation is to help support education, better health care, a cleaner environment and sustainable economic development for the indigenous communities of Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala. Our vision is self determined communities where quality education and meaningful work are available to all and where access to knowledge and resources help families live healthier and more productive lives.
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Atitlan Multicultural Academy
Calle Principal
Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
502 5367-1889
www.ama.edu.gt
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The Atitlan Multicultural Academy (AMA School) is a progressive, English-language PK-12 international school in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan. Its goal is to give all its students access to the best universities in the world while simultaneously providing an education that builds self-esteem, community, and social awareness. AMA's students have been accepted at universities including Stanford, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, The London School of Economics, The University of British Columbia and others. From pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade, classes are small and personal, and social education and development of multiple intelligences are stressed throughout the course of learning. At the high school level, AP classes are available in core subjects, and Spanish at all grades is offered at standard grade level to encourage bilingualism.
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Calacirya Foundation
Emily Webb
www.calacirya.org
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Based on the understanding that human health and the health of the local environment are inseparable, Calacirya Foundation improves health and environmental conditions in impoverished communities through 'Planetary Medicine.´ Calacirya Foundation collaborates with communities, volunteers, and experts to find simple, low-tech solutions to alleviate health and environmental hazards. We have been working on the lake since 2002.
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Children of Lake Atitlan, Inc
San Juan La Laguna, Solola
9140 Akard Street
Spring Valley, CA 91977
www.childrenoflakeatitlan.com
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Children of Lake Atitlan is a student sponsorship program working specifically with the New Dawning Christian School (Colegio Cristiano Nuevo Amanecer) in San Juan La Laguna. This is a school of approximately 300 children in grades pre-primary through Basico (grade 9). The program provides support to all children of the school through sponsorship of specific children. Sponsors receive information and periodic letters from the child they sponsor. It is also possible to sponsor special projects through the organization. Funds support all areas of school life.
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Cojolya Association of Mayan Women Weavers
Chi Nim Ya, Santiago Atitlan, Sololá, Guatemala
Tel/Fax: 7721 7268
info@cojolya.org
www.cojolya.org
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Cojolya is a Guatemalan non-profit Association of Mayan Women Weavers from the Lake Atitlan village of Santiago. Dedicated to the preservation of the ancient art of Mayan back strap loom weaving and the traditions surrounding it; not just as a historic relic, but as a viable economic enterprise for the women who weave For over 25 years Cojolya has been providing sustainable, fair-trade work for some 80 women who weave using the back strap loom. It produces quality designer accessories inspired by nature and art, combining them into spectacular and unique collections of bags, scarves, hats, etc. Cojolya also runs a weaving museum and offers weaving tours and classes. Cojolya also runs a social program, the ONIL Stove Installation Project, which installs approximately 20 stoves a month in communities around the lake. For ever $40 of merchandise sold, $1 goes towards this important project.
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Cooperative for Education
2730 Hyde Park Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45209, USA
513-731-2595
www.coeduc.org
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The mission of the Cooperative for Education (CoEd), a Cincinnati- and Guatemala City-based nonprofit organization, is to help Guatemalan schoolchildren break the cycle of poverty through education. We achieve this mission by creating self-sustaining textbook, library, and computer lab programs within impoverished community schools (mainly in Guatemala’s central and western highlands), as well as providing scholarships and teacher training. By improving the quality of education in rural Guatemala, CoEd helps children develop the skills they need to obtain higher-paying jobs and achieve better lives for themselves and their families.
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Escuela Caracol
San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá
Escuela Caracol "El Rancho"
Calle Principal Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala
5883-1609
www.escuelacaracol.org
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Escuela Caracol provides education for children in the Lake Atitlán region that is:
• Holistic • Multilingual • Arts-integrated • Intercultural
Our goal is to nurture and develop the whole child – not only the head but the heart and the hands as well – while also encouraging an awareness of humanity’s place within nature and the cosmos. Through this distinct approach, Escuela Caracol strives to foster integration within our whole community.
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Farmer to Farmer
PO Box 303
Glenwood City, WI 54013
Info: 715.643.3606
Coffee: 715.231.3259
www.farmertofarmer.org
info@farmertofarmer.org
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Farmer to Farmer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Wisconsin. The organization was born out of the 1980s Farm Crisis in the US, when a group of Wisconsin farmers who had organized in response to the Farm Crisis saw a connection between their struggles and those of farmers in Nicaragua. Their mission was to build friendship and understanding among rural people so that we might better understand our common struggles. Our work in Guatemala began in 1991 with a new relationship with a group of weavers in Santiago Atitlan. Over the years we have connected community members to organic training and support, purchased farmland for the group, provided educational and scholarship assistance, helped build a weaving workshop and showroom, and marketed textiles, bead work, and coffee in North America. Farmer to Farmer's current project focus is on scholarship support in Guatemala, coffee marketing, and work trips for cross-cultural exchange.
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Feed the Dream
Sandy Haggart, Founder
P.O. Box 2642
Glenview, Illinois 60025
info@feedthedream.org
www.feedthedream.org
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FTD is a nutritional program for children 0-5 years and women of reproductive age. We establish and oversee programs that provide nutrition, potable water, hygiene, health education and vitamins in impoverished rural areas. We word hand-in-hand with the indigenous.
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Friendship Bridge/Puente de Amistad
In Guatemala:
CALLE SANTANDER 5-38, Zona 2, Panajachel
Solola, GUATEMALA
502 7762-0222 Fax: 502 7762-2386
In the U.S.
405 Urban St., Ste 140
Lakewood CO 80228
303 674-0717
Fax: 303 674-1525
www.friendshipbridge.org
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Friendship Bridge is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides micro credit and education to help women and their families create their own solutions to poverty. We blend the short-term economic development needs of women through access to credit and education with the long-term goal of breaking the generational cycle of poverty by providing educational opportunities for their children. Friendship Bridge has affected the lives of over one hundred thousand rural people by investing in women entrepreneurs, women who become leaders and agents of change for themselves, their families and communities.
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Fundacion Clinicas Maya
Clinica Naturista
San Marcos la Laguna,
Solola , Guatemala
502 7723 4912
clinicasmaya@gmail.com
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Currently provides full scope family health care and education for Mayan communities in our Guatemalan based clinic, Clinica Naturista in San Marcos la laguna. Our services focus foremost on “quality of care”, from a holistic approach as well as a clinical standpoint, placing value on preventative health measures and education. We offer educational opportunities; on site training classes ;herbal and medicinal plant usage, literacy classes, culturally based education, teaching tangible skills and providing one-on-one training to strengthen these skills, and provide a safe place to discuss personal, family & community issues. Presently we support and maintain 5 programs: Cinica Naturista; open 5 days a week; Orphan program ( 26 kids); La Casa De Luz, midwife training program; Emergency Medical Services & community education; and Neighboring OUTREACH, Through circumstances wholly beyond their control, the rural Mayan people of Guatemala, have overwhelming needs with little access to available resources necessary for meeting these challenges.
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Jabel Tinamit Spanish School
Near the corner of Avenida de Los Arboles and Callejon Las Armonias;
across from the Catholic church
Panajachel, Guatemala
Office: (502) 7762-6056
Cell: (502) 5786-0831
www.jabeltinamit.com
learnspanish@gmail.com
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We offer effective and fun ways to learn Spanish in Guatemala and online. Located in Panajachel by the stunningly beautiful Lake Atitlan, Spanish School Jabel Tinamit is the only Spanish language school in Panajachel, Guatemala, that is Mayan owned. You can learn Spanish in one to one classes or with a small group your friends. We're sure you will have a great time learning Spanish with us in Guatemala.
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Lake Atitlán Libraries
Howard Cameron
449 Overlook Pass
Hudson, WI 54016
boardmembers@lakeatitlanlibraries.org
www.lakeatitlanlibraries.org
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The original focus of the Lake Atitlan Libraries was the funding of the community library in Panajachel Guatemala. Ann Cameron and Bill Cherry monitored the used of the funds in Guatemala. Lake Atitlan Libraries was organized in order to secure funds for a community library in Panajachel. Lake Atitlan Libraries does provide limited funding to a small community library in northern Guatemala, the sister parish of St. Patrick’s Church of Hudson.
Purpose: The Lake Atitlán Libraries Inc. shall be dedicated primarily to improve literacy in Guatemala and other Latin American countries by fostering and supporting libraries, schools, and teachers to promote the use of book in classrooms.
Lake Atitlan Libraries is registered with the State of Wisconsin as a charitable organization.
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La Cambalacha Creative Expression for Social Integration
Gabriela Cordón - Director
Barrio 3, San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala
(502) 5445-7521
contacto@lacambalacha.org
www.lacambalacha.org
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La Cambalacha is a cultural and educational project that works for the rights of children and youth to creative education, freedom of expression, and social and cultural participation. We facilitate artistic development workshops with 3000 children and youth each year, in Mayan communities around Lake Atitlán. Our workshops promote self-expression, critical thought, creativity, understanding, initiative, responsibility and commitment. We have hosted over 250 volunteers from 27 different countries, who have lived and worked in the La Cambalacha center in San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala. We accept volunteers between January and November, for stays of one week to one year.
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Masons on a Mission
J Patrick Manley
15 Nelson Ridge South
Washington, Maine 04574
Home 207 845 2440
Cell 207 441 8884
jpmanley@midcoast.com
www.midcoast.com/masonsonamission
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Masons on a Mission mobilizes North American stone and brick masons, and other interested persons, to support the construction of hand built, clean burning, efficient, and vented masonry cook stoves for the Maya in Guatemala. Every winter MOM brings a group of volunteers to help to build estufas in some of the villages on the shores of lake Atitlan.
We also help to train local Maya to build estufas for us during the rest of the year around San Marcos, as well as further north in the mountains around Xela.
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MAYAN FAMILIES
Dwight Poage
2609 Hartford St.
San Diego, CA. U.S.A. 92110-2315
a 501. (c). (3) Non Profit Charity
Tel: 619-550-2608
E-mail: dwight@mayanfamilies.org
www.mayanfamilies.org
Sign up to receive our eNewsletter and other occasional Mayan Families email updates. www.mayanfamilies.org/EmailSignup.aspx
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Mayan Families provides assistance and opportunities to the indigenous people of Guatemala, in particular in the Lake Atitlan area, through education, community programs and construction. We aim to fulfill our goals through the following programs: Education: Student Sponsorships and General Schools assistance program. Community Programs: Family Aid, Food and Milk, Hope for the Animals, Medical Aid, Fuel Efficient Stoves, Potable Water Filters, Christmas, Chickens Program and more.
Construction: Building schools, homes and other construction and repairs as required Mayan Families is a registered 501.c.3 Non-Profit.
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Miracles In Action
Penny Rambacher, R.D. Founder/President
www.MiraclesInAction.org
239-348-0815
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
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Miracle's Purpose: Our team of volunteers seeks out under served pockets of need in rural Guatemalaand we research projects that focus on education, vocational training, and sustainable development (clean water, safe stoves, latrines,...). "Miracles" board then selects those projects that achieve long-term results, improve quality of life, and allow extremely impoverished people to help themselves.
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Open Door Library
Biblioteca Puerta Abierta
Amanda Flayer, amandaflayer@gmail.com
Canton Xechivoy
Santiago Atitlan, Solola, Guatemala
5892-3348 or 7721-7363 (in Guatemala)
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The Open Door Library, La Puerta Abierta, is a non-profit learning center that offers a welcome space for children to explore literature, academics and creativity. The children’s library of Santiago Atitlan was designed to create a comfortable and inviting space for children to explore literature, improve their reading skills and receive homework help. Reading for fun is a habit which is often neglected and books are hard to find. Foe this reason, our library is free and welcomes visitors of all ages. The center encourages alternative learning such as reading clubs, puppet shows, and story hours. We have a local staff of 3 teachers who not only work with children, but also host seminars for teachers. The learning center is open 6 days a week to the general public and welcomes individual and class visits. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. Volunteers are
needed to co-teach classes, read with students, tutor, categorize books, and create a data base for our book collection. We also seek creative individuals to host art, writing, or music workshops with our students.
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Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM)
JoAna Dwyer
4331-6920 5215-8608
odimguatemala@gmail.com
www.odimguatemala.org
Guatemala mailing address:
Callejon Cho'Cruz 0-25
Barrio Jucanya'
Panajachel, Solola'
Guatemala, C. A.
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ODIM is a local organization based in San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna. We focus on healthcare and education in these two villages. Our philosophy is to work within the community to bring about a more hopeful future for the families, especially the children. We operate a medical/dental clinic in San Juan and offer scholarships to primary school children in San Pablo. We coordinate adult education in both villages, and sponsor a children's cultural exchange.
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Pueblo a Pueblo Inc.
P.O. Box 11486
Washington D.C. 20008
cell: 202 302 0622
www.puebloapueblo.org
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Pueblo a Pueblo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit U.S. corporation, whose mission is to empower indigenous Mayan Guatemalan individuals, organizations, and communities to improve their own lives. Pueblo a Pueblo links local and international communities and individuals to collaborate to build capacity and implement locally generated projects. To achieve its mission, Pueblo a Pueblo focuses on improving child education, nutrition, and family health among indigenous Mayan communities in Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán region.
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Reading Village
3210 15th St
Boulder, CO 80304
www.readingvillage.org
303-883-2822
In Guatemala
Contact our In-Country Coordinator
Daniel Guzmán
5406-2945
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Reading Village is transforming Guatemalan communities through the promotion of literacy among children. We provide scholarships and leadership development training for teens who, in return, give back to their communities by leading reading activities with younger children. These teens will be the first generation of parents, leaders and some of them teachers in their communities who read to the children in their lives. The children they read to are developing positive attitudes about reading, good reading habits and abilities. We believe these three elements are the foundation of a culture of reading. We also provide books at no charge to schools, libraries, orphanages and reading programs throughout Guatemala.
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Santiago Elder Center
Centro De Ancianos Juanita
Cantón Xechivoy, Santiago Atitlan
Diana Ramirez
(502) 5947-0567 In Guatemala
402-953-1249 In the US (US Line)
Email: dianaester@sharingthedream.org
Felipa Petzey y Chonita Sojuel
(502) 7721-7123 In Guatemala
402-953-1249 In the US (US Line)
Email: fely@sharingthedream.org
www.santiagoelders.org
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The Elder Center supports 65 elders and provides them with a meal three times a week as well as medical care and a daily supply of vitamins. As the center grows, our goal is to provide meals every day of the week as well as building a larger center.
Cultural Tourism Opportunities
In an effort to achieve sustainability for the Elder Center we provide the following cultural tourism services:
- Rents rooms to individuals or small groups
- Prepare meals for groups of three or more people
- Organize cross cultural experiences that might include...
- Helping at the Elder Center
- Teaching English to scholarship students
- Working at the children’s library
- Doing field work with local farmers
- Tutoring at a local school
- Helping with construction
- Weaving lessons
The center has warm showers, wireless internet, and kitchen facilities. The minimum fee for these services help to maintain the Elder Center and enables us to move towards sustainability.
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Sharing the Dream in Guatemala
10 W. Main Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
605-624-6895
www.sharingthedream.org
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Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is an organization that promotes fair trade with cooperatives and small businesses in Guatemala. We are committed to providing fair wages and employment opportunities to low-income artisans who will result in creating sustainable markets for their products. Our craft products are handmade by Mayan artisans using many traditional techniques. Purchasing these crafts not only provides work for these artisans, but the profits go to support community development projects in Guatemala. These projects include: providing financial support for Casa Guatemala orphanage; providing educational scholarships; an elder center that feeds 65 elders three times a week; medical care for 65 elders; workshops in development for all the artisans; help maintain a school for 225 students; and weaving centers and equipment for artisan groups.
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STARFISH ONE BY ONE
33434 Deep Forest Road
Evergreen Colorado, 80439
In Guatemala:
Amanda Flayer
amandaflayer@gmail.com
5892-3348
www.starfishonebyone.org
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STARFISH ONE BY ONE is a non-profit, incorporated in Colorado that has programs in rural Guatemala and Mexico in the area of children’s education, mentorship, leadership training and community development with the long-term goal of breaking the generational cycle of poverty. Our mentorship-scholarship program for rural teens based in Santiago Atitlan and Solola provides academic, social and financial support for 70 Mayan teenagers. Our scholarship and nutrition program in Chicacao addresses both the health and educational needs for elementary school children and our community learning center in Santiago Atitlan offers a safe space for children and teens to receive homework help explore literature and attend classes with a focus on the creative arts.
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