Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala

AAV's mountain retreat offers unique adventures

Preparing for a visit from our child sponsors always creates a flurry of excitement at the Mayan Center—laying in food and water, sweeping out the cobwebs from the volunteer cabin, making a list of the tasks at hand, planning trips to visit the children.

Last month, Gary Owen, sponsor of two children, made the trip with his good friend, Roy Krausen.  Our visitors, both from California, have always enjoyed traveling to places off the beaten track where they can immerse themselves with a different culture and authentic adventures. We were delighted when they offered to volunteer their valuable construction skills in order to complete the kitchen at the new Nutrition Center.

Gary had learned about Adopt-a-Village five years ago while on a previous trip to Guatemala; this current trip would be his third time to volunteer for Adopt-a-Village.  The two friends spent 10 days building shelving, counter-tops, and roof-beam supports, as well as installing a plywood floor.  Apart from work, they hiked through a magnificent rainforest where the endangered Resplendent Quetzal nests, viewed the water-holes built for the wild animals during dry season, enjoyed a swim at Lake Maxbal, the pristine limestone-sink lake near

Volunteer Gary Owen and Pascual Domingo

the school’s property, and learned about edible rainforest plants, like momon, (so called by the Maya) a wild herbaceous perennial plant. (The crunchy, tangy stalk-like vegetable, tasting like a mix of celery and ginger, is added to soups, scrambled eggs, and stir-fries at the school kitchen).

We have to think that by making this bone-jarring trip through rugged mountain terrain three times indicates that time spent with the Maya at our rainforest retreat is definitely worthwhile!   Perhaps Gary’s friend, Roy, echoes his thoughts when he says, “… if we accomplished just a little bit at the school, it pales to the great experience and fun of working there.”  Giving back, having fun—a great combination for a great vacation!

We welcome volunteers with skills in sustainable gardening, nutrition, carpentry, mechanics, teaching, and more.  Contact us at guatvillage@aol.com.

Dana and son Bryan

Bryan, a six-year old Guatemalan-born boy, lives in South Carolina with his American family. For such a small tyke, he has big ideas. His vision—raise money to sponsor a boy in Guatemala through the sale of baked goods. But cakes and cookies are not all. He intends to expand his sales by offering Mayan crafts. Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala is sending him some of our colorful items—animal backpacks, traditionally-dressed dolls, coin purses, fanny packs, beaded Christmas ornaments, and more.

It all began with an annual “international peace project” at his Montessori school. Bryan determined that his project would be to sponsor a child. As with millions of Guatemalan children today, Bryan too, knew extreme hunger as a toddler. Now, even at his young age, he has the ability and compassion to lessen the suffering of another child.

There is a grander vision here. Bryan will have an opportunity to stay connected to his Guatemalan culture through a friendship with a child from his birth country. The two boys will begin their contact through photos and drawings, and later through letters when they both learn how to write.

Along with selling baked goods and Mayan crafts, he will be promoting the Adopt-a-Village child sponsorship program, encouraging others to sponsor too. Bryan, you are amazing!

Frances