Maya Jaguar Students Explore Tikal

The students attending Maya Jaguar recently returned from an educational field trip to Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Guatemalan national park, to explore the archaeological sites and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their Maya culture and heritage. All of the students in both the middle and high school, accompanied by teachers and staff, participated in the weeklong experience.

Tikal, a major Pre-Columbian political, economic and military center, was inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. It is one of the most important archaeological complexes left by the Maya civilization.

This trip took the students to Tikal, Isla de Flores Petén, the Zoo, two museums, and Yaxhá (another former ceremonial center pre-Columbian Maya civilization).

The Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala board of directors believes that our mission is to change the lives of these students through a good education – and that includes understanding and appreciation of their Maya culture. Trips like this, usually out of reach for these underserved youth, are an important part of that education.

In the words of some of the students:

I felt deeply proud to be a witness of these historic places and Maya architecture. I don’t have sufficient words to express my gratitude for providing us the opportunity to discover the beautiful manifestations of our heritage.

Our field trip itself turned out to be a mix of fun, emotions and interesting opportunities, something completely new for me. The enthusiasm that overwhelmed me kept me awake for most of the journey.

The visit made me appreciate even more the temples, which left a profound impression on us, creating a feeling of pride to be a part of the culture that created them.

In Tikal, climbing the temples was a beautiful way to experience the brilliant vegetation from high above, reaffirming the importance of knowing and living in Guatemala.

I was able to witness up close the monuments created by the Maya civilization, it was an unforgettable moment to contemplate in person the imposing temples that previously I had only seen in photographs or videos. This experience was unique and enriching.

The Maya architecture deeply captured my attention, awakening in me a feeling of pride to be a part of one of the most well-known cultures in history.

Thanks to all of our donors for joining us in our mission to educate these Maya students by making educational trips like this one possible.