Asking permission from the earth to start our project!

So we’ve officially initiated our project, I’m a little hesitant because so much of our materials are still in the process of being delivered. But the construction workers are out there doing what they can. It’s incredible to think that we’ve started, I still feel in some sort of denial, like it’s not really happening. On the 12th of August we had a Mayan Ceremony to ask permission from the sacred earth to build. According to the spiritual guide, the sacred flame was weak which means that many people in the community do not see the value of the Mayan culture and that with this project it will be able to grow. That's definitely one of the goals of building this project and hopefully we can keep this rich culture alive through the activities that we plan on conducting within the Center. After the flame went out, the spiritual guide blessed the head mason and then asked the mason to walk the perimeter of the soon-to-be-built Mayan Center, he blessed the ground in a way similar to a priest blessing the congregation with holy water. Afterwards, it was incredibly wonderful that the Mayan Council collected the little money they have to prepare a snack for everyone, black bean tamales called Siete Camisas (7 shirts)and coffee.



Perhaps when the columns get put up it will start to hit me. Either way, it’s been quite the challenge arranging all of the moving parts – coordinating with various private companies to get donations. I’m doing the fundraising in an atypical manner. Those of you who know me personally, know that I’m not one for waiting to solve the maze of bureaucratic red-tape that surrounds all government processes (a little odd seeing that I now work for the government) but I know that there are tons of private companies that have plenty of left over materials, profits and willingness to give a little in order to fund community projects. I’m a big believer that companies should incorporate social giving into their strategic plans and company culture, so why not put that belief into practice?

Thus far we’ve raised money or materials from:

Cementos Progresso (Guate) – donated all cement and cal (lime in English) for the project ~ $2,500 USD

Megamart Supermarkets (US) - $2,000 USD (Gerson Lopez, who authorized the donation, is from Guatemala and currently lives in the US)

BIC Corp (as in BIC pens, lighters, etc) - $1,000 USD

PROMUDEL (an institution that works on municipal development and strengthening citizen participation, they’ve committed to give the equivalent of $1,000 USD, but because it’s not a private company it’s been a bit of a pain to coordinate…but we’re grateful nonetheless!)

We’re in talks with Grupo Macro Guatemala to see if they can donate the lamina and costaneras (roof materials) ~ $1,200 USD

And of course wonderful individuals who have given what they can to help support the project through a non-profit I founded in 2008 called Global Connections for Change.

So for all those PCVs or future PCVs out there that want to fund projects but there isn’t a blanket NGO or organization that can fund it all…hustle and don’t forget the importance of private companies! Also be patient, personally, this process has been incredibly stressful with lots of ups and downs but slowly it all come together (shout out to all those people who have supported me when I’ve sent out emails of frustrations, worry and doubt). Peace Corps could have also helped with donations but due to timing, I have not utilized them as a funding source but certainly hope to do so with future projects. Of course, anyone is free to contact me if they’d like to know more or brainstorm how to raise funds for your own projects!