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In
February of 2007 we started the Maya Project: our three instructors
Londin Velásquez, Elsa Morales and Moisés Mancía
teach children in 24 rural communities about ancient and living Maya culture;
archaeology and conservation. Each child receives an activity book and for the students in the lower grades we have a specially designed Maya colouring book. |
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Our Maya project is sponsored by MACHI (Maya Area Cultural Heritage Initiative) |
In
our television program Mini-Mundo we also
have a section on Maya culture, so many more people will learn about the
Mayas! |
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See below a list of all our activities! |
Why
teaching about Maya culture? Because most of our students are not even
aware that they are descendents of the people who left the famous and
majestic ruins of Copán. By teaching about Maya culture we hope
to create awareness and respect for Maya culture and it's conservation.
See also our web-site
about Maya culture. |
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* Cultural Mapping Project
We’re into mapping with the children of La Pintada! Through a series of workshops the children learn how to read and how to make maps. It turns out that the concept of a bird’s point of view isn’t that easy to grab as we found out when the children were asked to draw an object first seen from the front, then from the top. Scale isn’t easy either, neither is reading a compass. But through fun activities, the children are learning a lot. The treasure hunt was one of the highlights. Besides our work at the school, the children also draw and measure their house and document their lives with the special Mapping Kits we developed for this program. The project will result in a cultural map of the community and several family albums. July, 2010
* Maya Project: Kings
In the last few years we noticed that children relieve the biggest difference between themselves and their Maya ancestors is the way they dressed. They all believe the kinds looked funny with their loincloths and jewelry. But what they probably didn’t quite understand is that everybody dressed “funnily” in the past. At least, seen through our modern eyes. So we decided to focus for this theme on fashion. Besides dressing a Maya doll, the children also studied images of people from the Middle Ages: men in tights, women in tents… The kids all agreed: the Mayas weren’t the only funny-looking ones! June 2010
*Excursion to the Archaeological Park
It just so happened that the children from two schools we work at (in Sesesmil I and Santa Cruz) were going to visit the archaeological park on the same day. Although we had an evaluation planned for that day, we quickly rescheduled and are whole “Maya staff” went off to the ruins to give the kids a tour. It wasn’t easy to guide 86 kids and some teachers all at once, especially since it was an exceptional busy day at the ruins, but what made it a terrific experience was that the kids were so interested, eager to learn and happy to show off all the things they had learned during our workshops of the Maya Project. But the fun didn’t end there for our facilitators… After saying goodbye to the kids and a quick lunch, they were off again, this time with the participants of the Archaeology Project to a site called El Rastrojón, just outside Copán. Archaeologists are busy excavating right now and the site isn’t open to visitors, so it was a very special opportunity for the kids to have a look at what’s going on at a real archaeological site. It was amazing! May 28, 2010
*Maya Project: Religion
By now, most children already know that the Mayas believed in many different gods, one for every important aspect in their lives. The children loved to listen to some stories about the hero twins Hunahpu and Ixbalanque. Then it was time for the crafts: at some schools we made masks of Mayan gods, at others a mobile of four different Maya deities. May, 2010
*Archaeology Project Casa los Sapos
After two very fun archaeological campaigns at our “own” site Casa los Sapos (at Hacienda San Lucas), the children from La Pintada came back to once again clear the site, measure, take GPS points and do some excavating. May- June 2010
*Maya Project: Corn
Although corn is the main theme of the third chapter of the activity book we’re using the theme too to talk about what the Mayas did or didn’t eat. The children painted rocks as fruits or vegetables and also made booklets with collages of different food groups. And of course we told the story from the Popol Vuh why the Mayas are called “people of maize”. March - April, 2010
*Maya Project: Nature
We already knew that nature is a favorite topic of children and this year they got as much interest and excitement in the craft and games as ever. We did two crafts this time, both with great success: we made finger puppets of animals important to the Maya (macaw, jaguar, monkey, bat, etc..) and a flower with a pencil and tissue paper. The kids loved playing with the puppets and the pencil was also a nice idea since they could actually use it. March 2010
*Maya Project: Ancient Mayan Culture in Copán
For the fourth year in a row we returned with our facilitators of the Maya Project Elsa, Londin and Moses to 24 schools, both in the town of Copán Ruinas and in small villages, most of them Maya Chortí communities. No fewer than 612 children from third grade through ninth grade received the first workshop which is an introduction to Maya culture in Copán. For those who previously participated in our workshops it was a joyful reunion. For new participants it also was a good experience to participate our fun art workshop on Maya culture. The children made paper temples, built human pyramids and learned a little about the Mayan culture in general. Each participant received a book of activities and for the little ones (Grade 3) there’s a colouring book, of course also on Maya culture. Sponsored by MACHI. February 2010
2009
*Excursion to Archaeological Site El Puente
We still had an excursion to archaeological site El Puente on the agenda, so before the year ended, we all hopped in a bus for a training session on Maya culture, as well as a Christmas get-together and goodbye party for our volunteers. El Puente is not a very big site and unfortunately there isn’t much information about it available, safe for the fact that it was a small commercial settlement just in between of the two bigger city-states of Copán and Quiriguá. After the tour we set down for a picnic and the fact that it was really, really cold and drizzling was the only not-so great thing about this trip. December 20, 2009
*Archaeology Project Part IV: 2° Campaign
After a few sessions about Maya culture in general it was time to get our hands dirty again. With the children from La Pintada we went back to our “archaeological site” Casa los Sapos to excavate a little. During the week we found several “artifacts” such as a marble that looked like a pearl. It was a lot of fun, not only for the children but also for archeologist Argi Diez and our facilitators Londin and Elsa. December 14-18, 2009
*Maya Cultural Festival
For the third year in a row we organized a Maya Cultural Festival as a closing ceremony for our Maya Project. This year, trying to cut down on costs, we decided not to offer a program in general, but organize an event for just 100 of the children who participated in our workshops. We invited children from communities that hadn’t participated in any of our events before, being kids from Choncó, Ostuman, Llano la Puerta, El Bonete and La Laguna. After enrolling and receiving a nametag, the children all joined in some games before we started a Maya ball game. Just as the ancient Mayas, the children had to aim for two markers in the shape of a macaw head. Unlike the ancient Mayas, they were allowed to use their hands, otherwise it would be a bit too difficult. After the game was over, the children enjoyed a quick snack and then busied themselves with the numerous games, art workshops, tour through Children’s Museum Casa K’inich and watching special Maya episodes of our television program Mini-Mundo. Just before noon we wrapped the event up with some other group games and handing out a small gift bag for each child. December 11, 2009
*Archaeology Project Part III
No digging this time, but a week long gatherings in which we explored Maya culture and archaeology a bit more in-depth. We took the children from La Pintada, participants of our first Archaeology Project, to the archaeological park, the Regional Museum, the photo exhibition “Fragile Images” with ancient pictures of Copán Ruinas and the site, as well as the Sculpture Museum for an art workshop. November 4-10, 2009
*Maya Project: Today's Mayas
All of a sudden the government decided to end the school year and this messed up our schedule quite a bit. Despite a good planning during the whole year, we were now forced to hurry up with our workshops in order to finish teaching the last chapter before classes were over, because it is very difficult to get the kids together once out of school. It ’s a pity, because the theme is a favourite one: Today’s Mayas. We would have liked to spend a little more time dwelling on contemporary Maya culture, but at least we managed to finish up. October, 2009
*Maya Project: Archaeology
Our students love this theme, probable because it is so practical and it also forms a link between past and present. The children of La Pintada, who earlier participated in our archaeology Project, proudly talked about their experiences. The art assignment was to make a technical drawing. The children went outside to look for “artifacts” and then drew the object with the help of a ruler and graph paper, as realistically as possible. When they finished, the made a colourful frame of construction paper for their drawing. September, 2009
*Maya Project: Script
The fact that we are able to communicate through drawn symbols is fascinating, and once we explained this concept to our students, understanding Maya glyphs was a whole lot easier. The children enjoyed making their own codices with stories about their community. August, 2009
*Archaeology Project Part II: Excursion to Estela 19
Just outside Copán Ruinas, between the communities of Carrizalón and hacienda Grande, there’s a Maya stela known as Stela 19. After a short explanation, we took 37 from Hacienda Grande to the stela to see the glyphs with our own eyes. Although most kids live very nearby, but few of them had actually come close. It was a fun and interesting experience for all. A week later we repeated the activity for 27 children from the community of Carrizalón. August 14 and 21, 2009
*Maya Project: Science
Although it’s not an easy theme, children love to learn about Maya math! The numbers 1-19 are pretty easy to learn, but then… With sticks, rocks and seeds, the kids made Maya numbers (and adding and subtracting) before they made a collage of their own age in Maya number. The kids also learned about the number cero and the Maya calendar, as well as what it actually means to us to measure time in units. July, 2009
*Excursion to Quiriguá
In our plan for 2009 we have two excursions planned for the facilitators of our Maya project, to the sites El Puente and Quiriguá in Guatemala. We planned the trip to the latter during the stay of MACHI directors Shoshaunna Parks and Patricia McAnany and archaeology student Tomás Gallareta and made it a company outing for all our staff members. Despite of the long trip (six hours in a van), it was well worth it. Quiriguá has played an important role in the history of Copán and Copán’s influence is obvious in the art work. Unfortunately we couldn’t find a guide to tell us the specifics about this site, but nevertheless our facilitators had a great time studying the enormous stelae and altars, detecting similarities and differences between the two ancient Maya cities. June 22, 2009
*Presentation Archaeology Project “House of Toads”
Our small archaeology project is become bigger and bigger. Our initial four sessions with the children of La Pintada turned into 16 sessions, not counting the final presentation we held in the restaurant to La Pintada. Almost all the children who participated in the project showed up in their best clothes and their hair at its best. Besides some parents we had other special guests present, may of them archaeologists: Shoshi Parks, Patricia McAnany, Tomas Gallerta, Allan Maca, Kristin Landau, Dave McCormick, Gregorio “Goyo” Pérez; Fredy Rodríguez, prof. Oscar Cruz, Gerardo van Vaeck (Via Via) , Tyler Orsburn and Frida Larios of Hacienda San Lucas plus old friend and ex-Mayatan teacher Linda Wieland and her daughter Sofía. The presence of these guests made it all the more official… The children presented their work in Power Point and showed a selection of the evidences found. Then they each received a diploma and a copy of the report of the investigation, a complete and official report with all the findings and photos in it, and of course the names of all participants. How proud they were of their “own” archaeological site and investigation! June 19, 2009
*Maya Project: The Kings
The theme of the Maya Kings is always a popular one amongst the children and they all enjoined the workshops. They love to imagine what the kings might have looked like and how the coronation ceremonies were held, as well as realizing that some of the kings were not much elder than themselves when the were crowned. As a craft we made a model of Altar Q. Maybe not the most creative craft possible, but the children loved to colour it, glue it together and ultimately talking it home. June, 2009
*Maya Project: Religion
After two chapters on nature and corn, to themes closely related to our students’ surroundings, the theme of religion was something completely different, especially because most children are Christians and the Mayas had a polytheist system. Still, they understood very well that we were not judging any religion, just letting them know about ancient and contemporary Maya believes and the importance of respect for and conservations religious traditions. We conducted a total of 24 workshops for 471 children. May, 2009
*Maya Project: Corn
Corn, the theme of the third chapter of our activity book is something the children in Copán can easily relate to, because even today is the main source of food, just as it was for the Maya’s of the past. Different from us though, is that the Mayas had a corn god who was considered to be very important. As a craft, the children made corn stakes of sawdust (inspired by the sawdust carpets recently made during Easter week) while others made booklets with different food groups, some known by the ancient Mayas, others not. This chapter was taught to exactly 500 children in 24 communities. April, 2009
*Maya project: Nature
During the month of March our facilitators worked with the second theme of our activity book; nature. We prepared painted rocks with questions related to the theme which was a very interactive way for the kids to “ask” their question. After the lecture, each child got to paint her or his own rock, inspired by its shape. The teachers were happy to have us back at their schools and many joined in the art activity. We conducted 24 workshops for 507 children. March of 2009
*Maya Project: Introduction
Our facilitators were ready to get started after almost two months of preparations. Moises and Londin commented that it is quite a special experience to start teaching again and our new facilitator Elsa Morales didn ’t even feel nervous for her first round of workshops. The first chapter of our activity book, a general introduction to Maya culture, was brand new for the students of grade four but “old stuff” for the older kids. Not that they were bored: The facilitators conducted some fun games involving cocoa seeds they had brought along and as a craft they made a woven paper mat. February-March of 2009
*Archaeology Project La Pintada
During our workshops about archaeology, we figured how much children love this
topic and how much fun it would be to conduct a real archaeological excavation…
So why not! This year we’ll do four small projects in as many different
communities. The children will learn how to clean a site, make maps, take photos
of artefacts, technical drawings, keeping a journal etc. The only thing they
won’t do is actually excavate a real site; we’ll leave that to the
grown-up archaeologists. We started the project in La Pintada. Initially we
planned to investigate and document one of the piles of rocks left behind by
Mayas from long ago, but then archaeologist Argi Diez came up with a better
idea: to investigate the foundations of a (recently) abandoned Maya house nearby,
on the property of Hacienda San Lucas. It is not a protected site, so we can
dig around as much as we want. We have cleaned the place, picked a name for
the site (La Casa de los Sapos), documented the oral history of the place; took
pictures and drawings and collected artefacts that are stored
in our “lab”. The 14 children from la Pintada just love all the
work. The most hilarious artefact so far: a pair of really yucky man’s
underpants! February 12 – May21, 2009
*The Maya Project 2009
After a spectaculair ending of the year 2008 with a cultural festival (see:
"Events") we continue for the third
year in a row the Maya Project, teaching children about ancient and contemporary
Maya culture. We’ve expanded the project from 18 to 24 communities, thanks
to our new instructor Elsa Morales. The methodology is pretty much the same:
each child (grade 4-6) receives an activity book about Maya culture and participates
in a monthly art workshop with many games and fun activities. To warm–up
the third graders to Maya culture, we give them a colouring book about the Mayas
with texts in Spanish and Chortí. New this year is the over-all them
of cultural identity. This theme will give a specific point of view to this
year’s Maya Project and will hopefully connect it with other projects
developed by our organization. This year we’ll also do some additional
projects such as a video project with young adults and theatre workshops. We
just had a chance to share ideas and thoughts with Shoshaunna Parks, director
of MACHI, our sponsor, who visited
us in February. February – November, 2009
*Training Sessions at the Archaeological
Park
As a preparation for a new year of teaching about Maya culture, our instructors
of the Maya Project visited the archaeological park of Copán Ruinas during
three sessions. They each read about some specific monuments and shared their
knowledge at the site. We took our time and did but a small part of the site
during each session. What a job we’ve got! In addition, the instructors
also watched documentaries on Maya culture and read as many books as possible.
January 10, 17, 24, 2009
2008
*Presentation for CONIMCHH
It’s important to us to share our experience and the results
of our Maya Project with the people we work with, both with the children and
adults. That’s why we asked for some time during the monthly meeting of
the CONIMCHH (National Council of Indigenous Maya Chortí Honduras) to
present the results of the Maya Project in 2008. Of course the CONIMCHH was
already notified about our project but so far we hadn’t presented it officially
with slide show and all. Initially our audience looked pretty serious, but by
the time people could ask questions, everybody was very enthusiastic about the
project. Someone from Ocotepeque asked if he could have some books to teach
about Maya culture to the children back home and of course we complied. We also
presented or plans for 2009. For us, the most important was to see that we have
the support of the members of the CONIMCHH. December 13, 2008
*Excursion for the Girls
in Action to the Archaeological Park
Our Girls in Action wanted to know more about the Mayas, so we took
them to the Archaeological Park. Although all had been there before, they had
never done a more or less official tour with a guide. They learned about what
the temples used to look like and how the Maya kings reigned their people. We
stopped at the residential area to have a quick bite, but by the time we reached
the Gran Plaza, the girls were hungry again. For knowledge and wisdom, we hope?
November 22, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops
about Contemporary Maya Culture
The instructors of our Maya Project did their
job wellt hey finished up teaching the workshops on the ninth chapter of the
activity book about contemporary Maya culture. It was a theme the children were
very much interested in and it is with a sense of satisfaction that we can say
we have contributed to the consciousness of living Maya culture in this region.
After the theory and games, the children made a self portrait. There was time
left to celebrate this last workshop of the year with lollypops on behalf of
our organization and big thank-you’s from the children and teachers for
our instructors. October - November, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Archaeology
Our instructors are working very hard to
finish up their project before the school year end on November 3. The eight
chapter of the activity boos is about archaeology and just as last year, the
kids loved it. Instructor Lóndin Velásquez prepared questions
about the theme written on pieces of ceramics that he buried before each class.
The children “excavated” these pieces and tried to answer the questions
found. They also measured and mapped a piece of land near their school, pretending
they were real archaeologists and the pieces of plastic they found were precious
jade… October, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Science and Glyphs
Because of our many travels in the months
of August and September, we couldn’t do the usual evaluation after each
chapter, but in stead, the instructors had prepared to teach two chapters at
once. Maya math was as always a favorite among the children, probably because
they’re so different but easy to understand. The concept of the Maya calendar
was a bit harder to understand, but thanks to the gorgeous visuals instructor
Londin had prepared, the kids had a good shot at it. The workshop on Maya glyphs
was also a success: the children made their own codex or painted pieces of ceramics,
just like the ancient Mayas did… August - October, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Kings
The archaeological site of Copán is
famous for its sculpture, but also for its vast dynasty of Maya kings. Through
hieroglyphic descriptions and of course the famous stelae, we know quite a bit
about them, and that makes them all the more human and interesting for kids.
During the workshops on the fifth chapter, the children in 18 communities learned
about Yax Kuk' Mo', the founder of the dynasty; the famous Altar Q on which
16 kings are depicted; and about the problems of the last king of Copan, whose
people suffered of diseases and starvation while the king himself was in the
middle of a political struggle. One of the most important things the children
learned is that Maya kings also had the ultimate religious power and were thus
very powerful. As for the artwork, the children made beautiful decorated headdresses,
(like the Maya kings had) and also hand puppets with which they acted out different
royal scenes. July - August, 2008
*Excursion
Archaeological Park for Foreign Children
An excursion for children to the archaeological
site of Copán has become somewhat of our expertise, so it wasn’t
a great surprise when we were approached by tour agency Maya Caribbean to guide
three tours for their very young tourists. The children came with a program
called Elder Hostel that usually only attends the elder people interested in
a learning experience abroad, but this year they offered a special grandparent-grandchild
program. So while the grandparents toured the park with their own “grown-up”
guide, Carin gave the kids a tour. Used as she is to guide big groups of about
forty children from rural communities in Copán, she thought the small
groups of ten kids at the most would be a piece of cake. What a mistake! Whereas
the children from Copán don’t run around, don’t scream and
much less ask any questions, the gringo kids were just the opposite! “Is
it true that the Maya ruins are covered in gold?” “How did the Maya
sacrifice human beings?” “Did the Mayas ride on elephants?”
After setting some rules (Pleeeeaaase…. One question at the time!), the
kids toured the site, then the nature trail and museum. It was an interesting
and challenging experience answering all their questions (that can basically
be summarized as: everything you always wanted to know about human sacrifice!).
It was a long tour and of course the kids got a bit cranky after a while and
started to complain that “they were starving” to which Carin felt
she needed to explain that they were not starving as opposed to some of their
Honduran peers. The tour ended with an art workshop in the picnic area, surrounded
by scarlet macaws. Yet another big difference with the local kids: all those
fancy digital cameras…. June – July, 2008
*Sponsor
Visit MACHI
Twice a year we receive a visit from our
sponsor MACHI and that is always a
good experience. Rather than just coming to check numbers, the people working
for MACHI have become friends and their visit is always an interesting exchange
of experiences. This time it was director Shoshaunna parks who came by for a
few days, together with archaeologist Clair who works as an intern for one of
MACHI’s projects in Belize. We tried to organize a program as varied as
possible, consisting in this case in an excursion for the children of Carrizalito
II to children’s museum Casa K’inich; one of Londin’s art
workshops in Boca del Monte and we saw Moisés in action in Hacienda Grande,
where Shoshi and Londin even played “Maya puppets” together. Of
course we also evaluated the project so far (Besides for the books that are
still not back from the printer, all is well and the instructors have improved
a lot) and worked on de proposal for next year. We have some great plans for
2009! July 9-12, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops about Religion
Religion is the theme of the fourth chapter
and quite different from last year, it wasn’t met with fear or scepsis.
Whereas last year children were somewhat confused to talk about the multiple
gods and goddesses of the ancient Mayas, this year the theme was received much
more amicably, probably because our students are so much more familiar with
Maya culture than they were before and don’t see their ancient religion
as a threat. Instructors Londin and Moisés experimented with different
games and crafts, making masks still being one of the favourites. But the wishing
tree was also a success: the children wrote and decorated their dreams or wishes
on slips of coloured construction paper after which they hung them in a tree
in the yard or a branch specially cut for the occasion. In a self made service,
the children asked for their wishes to come true. June - July, 2008
*Maya
Cultural Trip through Belize and Guatemala
Our trip tracing the ancient Mayas’
trail through Belize and Guatemala was great! Our Maya Project instructors Londin
and Moisés had never left the country and it and had never seen the flourishing
living Maya culture with their own eyes. Hence the idea for this trip, that
also took us (Londin, Moisés and Carin) along some other projects financed
by our sponsor MACHI.
The first stop was Punta Gorda in Belize after crossing the Bay of Honduras
in a small boat (the first time Moisés saw the ocean!) where we visited
the Julian Cho Society.
From there we went up north towards Tikal and Flores where we were received
by the ProPetén
Foundation, then down to Guatemala City where we spent the night at
Caja Lúdica.
Next on the program was, of course, Lake Atitlan, where we had but an hour to
visit the La Cambalacha
art project. We ended the trip in Antigua and made it home sound and safe after
eight days of traveling. The three of us felt awed, impressed and inspired by
the people they met and the sites they visited. It was an amazing trip they’ll
never forget and it will be a valuable reference in their future classes on
Maya culture. May 14-22, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops about Nature
During the month of March and April we taught
the second chapter of our activity book in 17 communities for a total of 356
children. An adaptation we made from last year is that we split up the chapter
about agriculture in two parts: One chapter on nature in general (about animals
and the Mayas living in harmony with nature) and one chapter on maize (about
agricultural habits and food). The children very much enjoyed learning about
the different animals the Mayas knew and why some of them were considered sacred.
For the art activity, the children drew their own nahual (personification of
a Maya gods in the shape of an animal). The animal theme was also very inspiring
to do all sorts of dynamic games. March - April, 2008
*Visit
Julian Cho Society from Belize
The Julian
Cho Society runs a similar Maya awareness program in the south of Belize,
also sponsored by MACHI.
To see how we do things in Honduras, three members of JCS, all three Maya Que'qché,
visited Copán Ruinas and joined us in the village of Carrizalón
to see our facilitators in action. It was an interesting exchange of experiences
and the children were fascinated to meet "other" Mayas, even though
they didn't speak spanish! March 27-29, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops, an Introduction
Continuation of our Maya program that we started last
year, consisting in monthly art workshops in 18 communities about Maya culture,
archaeology and conservation, taught by our facilitators Moisés Mancía
and Londin Velásquez. The first chapter is an introductionto the ancient
Maya in Copán Ruinas. To help the children understand the expansiveness
of the Maya empire, as an art activity they made maps of the Maya world.
February - March, 2008
* Activity Book Maya Culture in Copán
Publication of three new editions of an activity book for children (grade 4, 5, 6) about ancient and contemporary Maya culture in Copán, archaeology and conservation. March, 2008
2007
* Maya Cultural Fair
A two-day cultural fair with art workshops for the 120 invited children form Maya Chortí communities (all participants of our Maya project); a tour through children's museum Casa k'inich; indigenous protest music, a stilts & acrobatics show and the premiere of our Maya documentary. December 28-29, 2007
* Documentary Maya Culture in Copán
Production of a 30 minute documentary that explores the living Maya culture in Copán Ruinas. Premiere: December 28, 2007
* Promo Film Maya Culture
Production of a 2-minute promo film about our Maya project, for the web site of our sponsor, the MACHI Project. To see the film, click here. August, 2006
*Excursion to the Archaeological Park Copán Ruinas
Excursion to the ruins and nature trail for 39 children from the communities of Nueva Esperanza and Carrizalón. August 10, 2007
* Coloring Books Maya Culture
Production of 4 editions of a coloring book about Maya culture for children in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, for the MACHI Project. August, 2007
*Maya Culture Art Workshops
During the whole school year of 2007, our Maya facilitators Moisés Mancía and Lóndin Velásquez will teach children in 16 Maya Chortí communities about Maya culture, archaeology and conservation through art activities. February - December, 2007
* Maya Culture in Copán
Publication of an activity book for children about ancient and contemporary Maya culture in Copán, archaeology and conservation. February, 2007
*Maya Culture Awareness Training Program
Training session of two young Maya Chortí facilitators who will conduct artistic workshops on Maya culture in 16 communities. November 2006 - January 2007
1999-2006
*Maya Area Cultural Heritage Initiative Conference
Participation in the MACHI conference (Yucatan, Mexico) on conservation of cultural heritage through non-formal education. October 19-21, 2006
*Maya Culture for Advanced Course Students
Excursions combined with art workshops to the Archeological Park and museums of Copán. September 2006
*Maya Calendar Mural
Workshop about the Maya calendar system, resulting in a collective mural made by the students of grade 4 in Rincón del Buey. August 28, 2006
*Photo, Murals and Film Projects
Photo projects, mural painting and film festivals in 5 Maya Chortí communities.July-December, 2006
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 33 children from the village Agua Sucia. October 7, 2005
*Night
of the Full Moon
Storytelling during a monthly event organized
by the Asociación
Copán. July 21, 2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa
K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum
for 27 children from the village El Tigre. June 18, 2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum
for 28 children from the village Barbasqueadero. June 4, 2005
*Photo-Story in La Pintada
With US photographer Deirdre Portnoy
we went to La Pintada to let 25 men, women and children take pictures of their
lives, as part of the international Photo-Story Project. The photos were glued
in a handmade album that the participants were to keep. The results, in photos
and words, are insight views of modern Mayan life in a small community. January
2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum
for 36 children from the village El Enzino. May 2004
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum
for 33 children from the village El Triunfo. May 2004
*The Little Princess, Theatre Play
With 8 seventh grade students of the
Mayatan School
we adapted the previously performed play into a mute play, performed during
the Cultural Fair at the central park in Copán.
December 19, 2003
*The Little Princess, Theatre Play
Based on a story by Honduran archeologist Ricardo
Agurcia, "The Little Princess" tells the story of a girl who falls
asleep and wakes up in the time of the ancient Mayas. She meets the last king
of the Mayas in Copán who tells her to spread an ecological message in
order to avoid destruction of nature and society in the future, as happened
to the Mayas. Performed by 20 students of 5° and 6° grade of the Mayatan
School, at the town hall. June 7, 2003
*Mural Indigenous Music
Portable mural used as background for
the First Festival of Indigenous Music in Copán Ruinas .December
2002
*Yax Ché Nature Trail at Archaeological Park
Interpretation, design and production
of a series of artistic and informative boards about Mayan culture, placed along
the nature trail at the ruins of Copán, in collaboration with Chris Mayer.
August 2002
*Art Exhibition: Chortí Children Paint
An exhibition of the results of the art
workshops in Maya Chortí communities. March 2000
*Excursion to the Archaeological Park
Excursion to the ruins combined with an art workshop
and exhibition for 39 children from the village San Rafael. September
1999