Yucatan Sustainable Tourism - Volunteer Children Nutrition by FUNDACIÓN MAYA IN LÁAKEECH A.C.

	SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TRENDS IN YUCATAN: Hacienda Chichen Resort responsible tourism mission and the Maya Foundation In Laakeech eco-social commitment are key factors to Yucatan Adventure cultural volunteer work: Bringing you information pertaining to the Yucatan and the Mayan World.
	FUNDACIÓN MAYA IN LÁAKEECH A.C. New Nutrition Center at Xcalacoop Health Clinic
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	It took a few months to built the New Nutrition Center and a lot of hardwork and goodwill from the Hacienda Chichen staff, who donated their time and skills during the construction of the New Nutrition Center for the Mayan communities nearby Chichen Itza. This effort was a learning opportunity to the local families accustomed to have promises of help for alternative reasons, such as political gain during elections. This is one experience the local families have found to be a true gift of love for the joy to share, give and receive the gifts of a caring heart. "We did it!" exclaimed with a great smile Abraham Blanco, who was in charge of pluming and electric installations for the new center. "We all worked to make this dream a venture we can be proud of," he adds with a joyful expression in his face. Indeed, he and other of the Hacienda Chichen workers did the labor with great care and pride; for each hour paid, the staff decided to donated an hour of their free time. "This experience taught our staff to give freely to those in need, and to do so for the joy of caring" said Mrs. Belisa Barbachano who owns the hotel and an active donor to the Maya Foundation In Laakeech social programs. A charming garden at the entrance of the new building was carefully plan and planted by the team of gardeners working atl Hacienda Chichen. Filiberto and Don Paulino team led the work, level the terrain, planted small trees and ornament plants around the new center which features a state of the art bio-degradable septic system, eco-friendly light features, an ample open kitchen in a multi-use living area, plus two lovely public bathrooms. The Maya Foundation In Láakeech Board of Trustees worked with the local young doctor to created various levels of nutrition and health programs including workshops for young adults to learn how to successfully budget economic meal plans and learn to cook using soya meat and other health food. "We are proud do see children grow health thanks to our volunteer efforts, support and care” said Luis Iuit who is in charge to buy and bring the nutritive produces each week to the center. His commitment to the quality of the produces bought has helped ensure that over 120 Mayan children were diagnosed out of mal-nutrition levels in the past two months. "We have now a new level of support to the Mayan families, which includes post-malnutrition meal programs for those children that we have helped in the past year," says Mrs. Belisa Barbachano who is one of the main sponsors and active member of the Maya Foundation In Láakeech Board of Trustees. "It is wonderful to be part of the volunteer team that help create this place for our community," said Jose Tamay who is an active Board of Trustees member for the Mayan Foundation In Laakeech and oversaw the construction financial needs. "We still need a lot of help to meet our goals, a new refrigerator donated by the foundation president, Mr. Ruben Gutierrez should arrive this week," Jose explains, "Mrs. Judy Abbott de Mier y Teran, co-owner and editor of Yucatan Today donated the colorful children chairs and Chef Josue Cime's kitchen offered the cooking pots and pans to prepare the meals each day. "We have the opportunity to give and share," Co-chef Saturnino expressed with joy in his words, "our community people are not used to volunteering for the common good so this project gave us all the opportunity to feel good about sharing, giving and caring," he added "we are so proud we have done this and look forwards to the new Nutrition Centers that the Foundation will open next year with our help and support. Indeed, most of the Maya Foundation In Laakeech labor volunteer work is done by the staff of the Hacienda Chichen. They have learned the pride and joy that comes from freely giving of oneself to support and care for needs of families and residents of their communities. The foundation programs include travelers' volunteer efforts as well, which give of their time and skills to teach English classes to the workers and residents in the villages and at the hotel after work hours. This year, four volunteers have helped the English as a second language summer program. "Few months ago, when we first visited the Xcalacoop Health Clinic, our hearts were overtaken by the conditions of the site," explains Mrs. Belisa Barbachano, since her first visiting the Health Clinic (photo bellow) she accepted the challenge to bring positive changes to this community by constructing a new center and creating a Nutrition Program that was to meet more than the basic needs of the Mayan children and families; since then, she and The Maya Foundation In Laakeech have brought a pro-active financial support to bring health and job opportunities to the young Maya and to the communities future generation. Be a Maya Foundation In Laakeech Volunteer... Read Volunteers' Comments here. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, Yucatan Adventure Reported: The Maya Foundation's volunteer team is currently focusing their efforts to support the Children's Malnutrition Program at the Xcalacoop Health Center near Chichen Itza, Yucatan. With the collaboration of Hacienda Chichen & Chichen Services, the Xcalacoop Health Center will inaugurate a brand new building in 2008. Keep checking back for updates! Our recent efforts have helped repair the dilapidated facility (depicted left) so that they can continue to function and serve the community, while we await the building of a New Nutrition Center (photo a top this article). Yucatan Adventure Volunteer Team congratulates all those involved in the creation of the Maya Children Nutrition Program and the building of the new center. If you wish to support our efforts, please contact us via email to info@yucatanadventure.com.mx Contact us now to request articles you would like to read in our website. Back to Top Sustainable Tourism Trends in Yucatan A WORD ABOUT OUR ACTIVE SPONSOR: HACIENDA CHICHEN Long before the "sustainable tourism" term began to catch momentum or even Geo-tourism as National Geographic's editor tag the trend, Hacienda Chichen Resort has been practicing such ideal way of blending ecological care with social support with respect for the Maya cultural legacy in their region. One of the first social programs sponsored by the hotel owner was gear to certified interested staff members as Bird-watching Local Guides, Mrs. Barbara McKinnon conducted a series of workshops to that end; since then, Bibiano and Jose Santos are successfully guiding various Nature Tours and Birdwatching groups at the Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and Maya Jungle Reserve. Many individual programs, all gear to help the Maya people find jobs and new economic opportunities, have been sponsored to help the Maya families learn the art of giving and sharing; thus, empowering the community sense of pride and self-reliance rather than to continue the ill saga of waiting for election times so politicians give out of their desire to win official power. Back to Top MAYA PEOPLE HELPING THEIR COMMUNITIES: Name: Josue Cime Profession: Executive Chef at Hacienda Chichen Resort Volunteer Social Input: Cooking Trainning Program & Job Opportunity Development for the Maya Foundation In Lakech Mayan Village where he lives: Kahua, Yucatan, Mexico “We all enjoy helping and making a small difference in our communities, it is rewarding to give our time, share our vision and dedicate our efforts to help improve our public schools, health centers and other local community needs,” explains Executive Chef Josue Cime, an indigenous Maya that has stepped up the professional latter with great success. Chef Josue Cime and the owners of Hacienda Chichen have joined their efforts to create training and learning opportunities for young adults; the hotel’s kitchen is like a great workshop with a small young team that he personally teaches and trains. "Helping this young local Maya people develop many skills in the art of cooking Maya cuisine and Fusion gourmet entrees is a great challenge and honor," he said. He enjoys the challenge and has his heart set in helping these young adults increase their job opportunities within the growing hospitality industry. Now, Chef Josue Cime and co-chef Saturnino will be helping the New Nutrition Center's Meal Planning and Healthy Cooking within a low budget for mothers and young adult females wishing to learn the art of cooking healthy economic meals for their families. The Nutrition Cooking Classes will be held in October after Placido Domingo's Concert to be celebrated October 4th in Chichen Itza's famous Maya temples and archaeological site. For more information about the concert please contact www.chichenservices.com With Chichen Itza new title as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, business is not as usual. Demand for fine gourmet food service is growing in the region and the Hacienda Chichen catering reputation has grown to be the best Maya and Fusion Gourmet Cuisine served in all Chichen Itza. Chef Josue Cime has two senior cooks, Saturnino and Florentino, both help him with the great responsibilities encounter in running a boutique hotel kitchen while teaching and training the young apprentices he has selected to be his first in the job cooking-workshop. We praise his dedication and support he brings to his community young adults and hope his example is followed by other skilful professionals. Visit our free recipes article ▫ Mayan Cooking For further information about the Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. please contact us info@yucatanadventure.com.mx or call our US toll free # 813 435 6904 Want to visit Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico? Book your stay at Hacienda Chichen, a true example of Responsible Tourism in Yucatan. We invite you to contact us requesting articles you would like to read in our website. Back to Top SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TRENDS IN YUCATAN Yucatan Adventure article by Sarah M. Levin August 2008