WHO WE ARE
Guatemalan Maya Spanish Association (La Asociación Civil Guatemala Maya Español) is a private not-for-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes and executes self-sustainable development projects. It consists of a Board of Directors, an Executive Team and Associates, which are multidisciplinary teams of highly qualified professionals, who are responsible for driving forward programs and projects to achieve Guatemalan Maya Spanish’s mission.
OUR MISSION
To contribute to self-sustainable developments through educational, cultural and environmental programs to improve quality of life. This will be complemented by promoting strategic alliances to develop participative projects, inclusive of all societal actors.
WHAT WE DO?
We undertake projects and coordinate efforts to improve the quality of life for our community through the following programs:
- Self-sustainable educational co-operative in the Quetzaltenango, Guatemala;
- Research and evaluation of educational impact of local public educational system;
- Nutritional and health support in the surrounding areas of the city of Quetzaltenango;
- Education about Mayan culture and local tradition by means of television and radio broadcasting;
- Support on local environmental protection and awareness efforts.
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
We identify and work to solve local problems through emphasis on long-term educational, cultural and environmental programs. We achieve this through use of a methodology for continuous learning which promotes participation of local and international associates. In this manner, we integrate the associates in the regions where we work, we create alliances, we concentrate our resources and we promote exchange of ideas and best practice, which helps to achieve our common objectives.
WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE?
- Diagnosis of the socio-educational-environmental condition in the locality;
- Production of socio-environmental information and techniques;
- Production of educational materials, training and orientation to empower our associates;
- Implementation of the project;
- Evaluation, measurement and analysis of the impacts; and
- Dissemination of the results.
WHO IS THE WORK AIMED AT?
- instructors, host families, students, volunteer organizations, environmental practitioners and activists and community leaders;
- We support rural and urban communities which display a high level of poverty and have a low rating on the Human Development Index;
- Local indigenous population;
- Communities in protected areas; and
- NGO’s, companies and government employees.
AREAS OF WORK
- Sustainable development;
- Indigenous communities;
- Community development;
- Environmental education;
- Social responsibility; and
- Communication.
OUR IMPACT
- Changing the working environment: Securing short and medium term success in the execution of projects to motivate those involved and thereby achieve our long term goals;
- Human development: Development to promote learning, personal motivation and teaching people to value their cultural traditions.
- Community development: Training to promote community participation and group interaction.
- Strengthening institutions: Coordinating actions around common interests and capacity building to establish alliances and networks.
|
|
