Mayan Partners

Mayan Partners is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with its roots in a group of alumni from Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship at UC Davis. Our vision is to partner with Quiche and Tzutuhil communities in the western Guatemalan highlands in the development of schools, the introduction of efficient woodburning stoves, and medical clinics that have strong local support. Part of our mission is to attempt to rigorously evaluate the impact of these efforts whenever possible, for possible reproduction in other communities. The home base for our work is San Pedro La Laguna (shown above) located on the shore of Lake Atitlan.

Currently our focus is the development and ongoing support of the Panyebar Middle School, a non-denominational Christian school with approximately 60 students from the local area. In this community, located in the mountains above Lake Atitlan, there is poor access to middle school. Dropout rates after grade six are extremely high in the area, and we endeavor to reverse this trend.

A group of lead supporters that form the core of our network help to support the school, with a number of other friends (and friends of friends) who also contribute through sponsoring individual students at the school, participating in trips to Guatemala, and other practical ways.

We desire to begin with involving others in our respective social networks in this partnership with the local Guatemalans, taking work groups to the area regularly, and taking on additional projects as more individuals become involved. Our goal is to work through friendships with one another and with the local Guatemalans, with long-term relationship building a key aspect of our vision.

We are a network of Christian friends who attend different churches, and we partner with local Guatemalan churches, but we welcome involvement from anyone interested in providing opportunities and an escape from poverty for the rural poor in western Guatemala.

Mayan Partners Trip to Guatemala June 2008

Mayan Partners Trip to Guatemala June 2008
There were 32 people on the trip: 7 UC Davis InterVarsity Alumni, 3 spouses of alumni, 3 other members of Mayan Partners from Berkeley, 8 kids, 4 InterVarsity Undergraduates (USF & UOP), and 3 grad students. Bottom Row: Jim, Bruce, Jocelyn, Leanne, Allie, Miguel, Ron, Dave, Ariel, Naka. Top Row: Thomas, Kristina, Adrienne, Elise, Keith, Renee, Brooke, Monica, Cameron, Ethan, Jodie, Amanda, Troy, Everett, Cole, Brooke, Robb, Allison, and Pete.

Waiting Room for Medical Clinic

Waiting Room for Medical Clinic
We've carried out clinics in mountain communities, most recently in June 2008, and also in 2006 and 2003. This picture is from a clinic in San Miguelito in 2003. On our latest trip, Brooke and the medical students treated over 300 patients.

Monday, April 5, 2010

March 25, 2010

Colegio Bethel, Panyebar – a small Christian junior high in the Guatemalan highlands, a lovely though very poor place. Not too much influence in world events, I suppose. So why continue to support such a place?

Well, because of kids like Hermosillo, a student who graduated last year. Hermosillo is the first generation in his family to go to school. He’s bright, thoughtful and ambitious. His family weaves the brilliant skirts that women wear but the business is not profitable enough to send him to school past 9th grade. Talking with him and his family in Panyebar before we left last May, Hermosillo shared his greatest ambition: to become a doctor. A doctor. His mom shrugged her shoulders and quietly stated their hopelessness. “How are we going to do that?” But after graduation in October, Hermosillo applied for a prized full government scholarship to a boarding high school only an hour away. And he got it. He was well prepared, a good deal because of his time studying at Colegio Bethel.

Ten of Colegio Bethel’s eleven graduates in October 2009 are now in high school, unheard of in this community even five years ago. And so it’s worth it. These kids may not change the larger world yet, but they will have influence on those in their community and country.

How, then, do we all continue to support Colegio Bethel, Panyebar? By doing as Mayan Partners has been doing for several years now. First and foremost we pay the teachers’ salaries. We work with the new local Board of Directors, empowering them to look after the school and its students. We keep in weekly phone contact with the directors so they are assured of our prayers and concern. We work to support the fledgling community library so that books are available for students from preschool to high school. And we pray, for Colegio Bethel, its leaders, the Panyebar community and for Guatemala.

Mayan Partners is in the process of becoming an independent non-profit. This will relieve some of the burden on Proyecto Fe that has so graciously helped us and the school. So hopefully by the summer, you will write your checks directly to Mayan Partners. We will let you know when the change occurs.

If you have any questions regarding the school, or would like to be included in more detailed updates, please let Bruce or us know.

Oh, and send your encouragement to the Colegio Bethel Girls Soccer Team which is going to the State competition in mid-April! Congratulations to the girls and their coach, Victoriano!

Peace be with you,

Ann and Kent Moriarty

On behalf of Mayan Partners
Posted by at 10:31 AM

1 comments:

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January 25, 2011 8:13 AM

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