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In January, 2005 13 volunteers helped build a two classroom building in the aldea (village) of Tunaja. Tunaja is a small community 5 kilometers from Zacualpa.
The traveling Amigos de Guatemala
volunteers were: (click on the names for photos) This, and all hands-on projects in the Zacualpa area, would not be possible without the support of the two non-governmental organizations (NGO's) APRODEZA (Vilma Cabrera - President) and ADIZ (Fredy Arguefa - President). The new classrooms were furnished with modern furniture and complete teaching supplies purchased with a Rotary Foundation Major Matching Grant. This grant was sponsored by 10 Amigos de Guatemala partnership Rotary Clubs with the Guatemala host Rotary Club - Vista Hermosa Rotary Club in Guatemala City. Additionally, each student in the school received a backpack with personal school materials. The Amigos volunteers worked side by side with local parents who volunteered their time to build the school classrooms. The skilled foreman on the job, Juan Ruiz, is also a local parent. These men, the ever present children, and the teachers provided a fantastic multi- cultural experience we will never forget. These people frequently expressed their appreciation for our work in many ways. We are also grateful to them for the privilege and opportunity to work with them. All our lives were enriched by the experience! The visiting Amigos gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Guatemala City. We traveled by van and car 5 hours to Zacualpa in the highlands of Guatemala. On the way to Zacualpa we visited the famous traditional Mayan Sunday market in Chichicastenango. In Zacualpa we lived dormitory style in the local Catholic Church - men separate from the women. This church was occupied by the army during the civil war. Many local people were detained, tortured, and killed on the church grounds. Living among that history was meaningful and sobering. We ate at the only local restaurant - Chatas. Zacualpa is off the "tourist trail" thus our experience was more authentic and personal. The cost of our lodging and food was less than $10 each per day. After a week of work on the school in Tunaja, we were treated to a celebratory meal cooked by the teachers and parents. We exchanged gifts, danced, and were visited by local "dignitaries". We left with our hearts and stomachs full! We then traveled to beautiful Lake Atitlan for a couple days of rest, recreation and shopping. Lake Atitlan is a deep volcanic lake surrounded by spectacular conical volcanoes. Small traditional Mayan villages dot the shoreline. We stayed at the beautiful Vulcano Lodge in Jaibalito where we built a school kitchen in 2004. We had a dedication ceremony for the kitchen with traditional food, a piņata, and much speech giving. Finally, we reluctantly returned to Guatemala City where most of the Amigos departed for the USA. Six of us stayed for the Central American Project Faire in Antigua, Guatemala. There we learned much about what Rotary is doing in Guatemala. This time was very informative and inspirational.
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Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge
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 Tunaja Project Plans |
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 Tunaja Project Finished |
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 Central American Project Faire |
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