A few years ago, when
Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin Spa owners started formally to
help support the Maya communities nearby Chichen Itza, Yucatan, they had no idea
where this commitment would take them. Now, they know that their desire to
open opportunities that bring education, social support and health care are but
a fraction of what they wish to do in the future as part of the
Maya Foundation
In Láakeech,
created to give a formal presence to their social and ecological programs and
projects. "We truly enjoy helping people” says
Jose Tamay, a well spoken
Mayan Healer that speaks Yucatan Maya, Spanish and English; an active member in
the Maya Foundation In Láakeech A.C Board of Trustees, who works at Hacienda
Chichen as its Guests Service Director.
Long before the "sustainable tourism" term began to catch momentum or
even Geo-tourism as National Geographic's editor tag the trend, the
Hacienda Chichen has been practicing such ideal way of blending
ecological care with social support and 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
Bird-watching 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 in an informal manner to
help avoid local activities involving deforestation and ecological
damage such as is the case of "craft souvenirs for tourists" sold at
side street vending stands
"When we started this venture, we were a handful of social volunteers
that understood the need to create job opportunities and alternative
economic support to the small villages nearby Chichen Itza," says Mrs.
Belisa Barbachano when asked about her social volunteer work, "there is
still a great social need to support the
Maya children health and
education; another important need is to protect the environment
(flora and
fauna) from the
massive wood demanded created by craft souvenir carvers which seems to
be the faster grown activity for locals that sale them to tourists in
this area; but such activity is damaging and the region is getting
devastated and deforested in a rapid manner." Mr. Bruce Gordon
knows this issue well, he has been reforesting Chichen Itza's private
land areas for over four years now, "Without alternative job skills,
local residents are over cutting
hardwoods in this region at a rate that
is increasing, a prompt change of income avenues is needed; otherwise,
this area will be in serious ecological danger."
That is way the volunteer team of the Maya Foundation In Láakech are
always supporting community business oriented endeavors such as the
Yodzonot Cenote Eco-Park. "Ten months ago, we found a Mayan female
group working hard to create a eco-friendly park at
Yodzonot Cenote;
these females had a strong commitment and great faith that somehow their
work was to pay off," Ms. Isabel Gutierrez remembers and smiles, "we
promise these females to help and support their interests by marketing
their project to the travel industry."
The volunteers' broadcasting of the Yodzonot females caught interest,
with the help of Yucatan Adventure web article, Yucatan Today's editor
support and Yucatan Living webmaster, the story got spread to others,
including International media, travel websites and tour agents.
Nowadays,
Yodzonot cenote
is well known and visited, "we feel happy to
have contributed to their success with our token of loving help” says
Mrs. Beatriz Correa who helped start Yucatan Adventure's online magazine
and who conducts a Maya Holistic Training Program for young adult
females in
Yaxkin Spa at Chichen Itza.
“Now we have the Maya Foundation In Lákech
A.C. also spell Láakeech, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to help many good
Maya
people achieve their goals and dreams. Travelers, and visitors
alike, enjoy participating in our social work programs; they feel happy
to help with their donations and small gifts of love as we call
their packed old clothes brought to help the poor Maya families in this
region,” explains
Magaly Pech Montes, Toh Boutique Supervisor and a
young Mayan mother that studies computer skills and English courses to
increase her education level and job opportunities; she expressed her
desire to become Toh Boutique Administrator and to continue working in
the organization that has helped her find opportunities to grow and
reach her dreams.
Please take a minute to visit
Geotourism Challenge 2009 for Sustaining the
Future of Destinations,where you will find the Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. nominated
entry in conjunction with the Hacienda Chichen sustainable tourism
vision, this unique project competition is sponsored by National
Geographic and Ashoka's Changemakers.
A NOTE ABOUT: "Our
Volunteer Program" We are more than grateful to the people that
have taken the time and care to volunteer their job-related skills to
improve the life of many young adult Maya people.
The ESL
volunteer program has been truly successfully running
this year, if you wish to participate
please read our volunteering FAQ. These are a few of our MFIL
volunteer's comments and experiences:
Stephanie
Davies, (New
York). A dear friend of the Maya Foundation Laakeech and a truly
dedicated English Teacher
(ESL) During her first two weeks
stay, she worked
full time in our ESL workshop program, Since then, she has come back as
a volunteer for many years. Stephanie is a dear friend of ours and a truly
dedicated volunteer for the Maya Foundation In Laakeech ESL program).
Stephanie wrote:
"I have been so
happy here teaching that I want to continue my classes and get everyone
to a place where they feel comfortable and confident in English, which
will be easy with enough time as all my young adult Maya students are so
smart and motivated."
Name:
Lahnee Thomas Name: Pablo Pavlovech Volunteer Program: ESL Volunteer Teachers
Born in Australia, Lahnee
came with her fiancé Pablo to volunteer as ESL teachers to support the
Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. social programs, while they were
working on various writing and photo shooting ideas for various
traveling articles. They enjoy it so much that both return to help us
again for a few weeks and now are active members of our permanent
volunteer team! Thanks to both, our ESL teaching volunteer programs will
have a greater impact in children's life.
Her enthusiasm and good
nature has won her many children's hearts and ours. Read her own
volunteer experience while teaching at Xcalacoop Elementary Public
School during this 2009 Spring
here. She and Pablo will be returning this summer and fall to
continue their volunteer and support. Their ideas and experience
has helped us developed a better volunteer brief information kit gear to
answer frequent ask questions to people that may wish to volunteer
sharing their skills and time in any of our volunteer workshops and
programs. Pablo and Lahnee's care and loving support has brought
many smiles in the faces of Mayan children as they both teach ESL to
them, their volunteer time has contributed to the young Maya students
education and future welfare.
Following are a few of
Pablo's wonderful photographs
of their ESL volunteer teaching
experience:
Name:
Daniela Masaro Volunteer Program: English as a Second Language (ESL)
I
was both honored and pleased to be the first Volunteer ESL Teacher
with the Maya Foundation In Laakeech this past June at Hacienda
Chichen. Upon arrival I was awed by the stunning beauty of the
grounds and was happy to learn firsthand how well managed the land
was by people who truly care for the environment: Yucatan's
flora
and
fauna.
My students, although shy at first, were very eager to learn. Not
only were they a pleasure to teach but they helped me practice my
Spanish and taught me a few Mayan words and phrases in return. The
entire staff at
Hacienda Chichen was extremely welcoming and kind
and I was made to feel like part of a special extended family. Belisa was so delightful and funny and I can't help but smile and
giggle to myself every time I think of her hilarious stories and
contagious laughter. I was left with beautiful memories and stories
of my own to share back home.
I am so grateful to Dona Beatriz and Dona Venancia for sharing their
knowledge of
Mayan medicine with me. Learning about the local
medicinal plants and the
traditional Mayan therapies from more than
just books was such a gift and I feel so blessed to have had this
opportunity. I was inspired and encouraged to continue my studies
and to deepen and expand my own holistic training and practice.
I can't wait to return to my new family and friends and to learn
about the exciting new developments the foundation is creating,
specially to know more about the
Maya Children
Nutrition Center's activities. I
hope many more people will take advantage of this wonderful
opportunity and
become a volunteer with the Maya Foundation In Laakeech which helps make a difference in the lives of so many,
including my own.
Name:Jose Luis Pech Yam Profession:
Administration Manager Volunteer Input: MFIL Job Training Program Mayan Village where he lives: Piste Piste, Yucatan, Mexico
A highly dedicated and bright executive with an impressive
achievement-oriented mind, Jose Luis has stepped up the professional
latter with great success and steadfastness. His well-manner
personality and inner commitment to work hard, study and acquire new
skills, have help him excel and become a local professional role-model.
Today, Jose Luis enjoys a well deserve professional executive status
within the Hacienda Chichen & Yaxkin Spa's Administration. He has
been working at the
Hacienda Chichen since 2003, first as a front desk
clerk, then as an assistant to the administrator, and now he heads the
accounting department and is the Hotel's Resident Manager.
"Meeting my goals and dreams required great self-discipline; plus, a
responsible team-work attitude," he told us. Jose Luis exudes
self-confidence and poise as he explains how he has focus on learning
self-taught skills and undertaken hard-core self-trained job
commitments, "I continue stretching my education and learning goals to
include a wider horizon of professional opportunities in my life;" he
adds "Currently, I am at the end of my
Tour Guide professional training
and plan to continue my education by studying Russian," a tourist market
that has gain interest in Mexico's hospitality industry.
Interested in his ancestor's Maya
Cultural heritage, Jose Luis plans to study more
in
depth the archaeological rich context of Chichen Itza and help local
younger generations acquire a greater understanding of the vast Mayan
cultural traditions. "Our Mayan rural towns do not offer higher
education programs and opportunities. In Piste, seldom we find
professional programs; and when offered, only a few of us who can afford
them," he explains, "that is why I support the volunteer social work
offered by the Maya Foundation In Laakeech. Increase volunteer and
low-budget education opportunities will help Maya people learn computer,
foreign languages and other job related skills. Today, no other
institution is catering to this important community need; our volunteer
nutrition and education programs are essential to help rural children
achieve a better future."
Name: Belen Angulo de Iuit Profession: General Cashier Hacienda Chichen Volunteer Input: Nutrition Program cashier. Mayan Town where she was born:
Seye, Yucatan, Mexico
An independent, responsible, professional
Mayan, Belen has join our team since December 2007; she began as the
executive assistant to the Hacienda Chichen's General Manager and few months after, she was
promoted and became the PECP General Cashier. Her smarts,
honesty, dedication, commitment to excel, and great organization skills,
have won her the admiration and respect of everyone in our team.
She
oversees payments for all nutrition produces delivered to
Xcalacoop and
Xcopteil Clinics.
Thanks
to the support of the Hacienda Chichen's owners and a Job Premium Grant
given by the Maya Foundation Board of Trustees, this
young married female started her bachelor studies in
accounting last fall. Belen is a great role model for young females in her
native Mayan town of Seye, where she and her husband have bought a lot
and plan to grow
organic fruit crops in the near future.
Working for PECP and coordinating payments for the nutrition program are
among the few tasks Belen has taken with great joy, "I started working
as part of this unusual team, where self job-commitments and challenges are
expected from all executives," she softly smiles and continues, "it took
me a few weeks to adapt to the idea that daily supervision of my work
was not intended; here, the focus is on performance and financial control
results." She adds, "we all work in an independent manner, contacting
our boss or team group as needed; most of the time by phone or Internet"
then she explains, "rather than controlling each workers' scheduled and
work time, Mrs. Belisa Barbachano focus her approval of each worker
directly on personal performance, this has allowed me to distribute my
time to fit all my personal and professional goals in a manner that no
other company would have allowed me. For that and many other supporting
actions on her part, I am very grateful." Belen has a bright future in PECP where she has found a truly supportive labor ambiance to succeed
and grown professionally, her example is a beacon of joy to all of us.
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Name:Jose Santos Tamay (right) Profession:
Eco-Cultural Activities Director Volunteer Input: MFIL Board of Trustees Mayan Traditions: Mayan Ritual Coordinators Mayan Village where he lives:
Xcalacoop.
Name:Lorenzo Tamay (left) Profession:
Bar & Restaurant Supervisor Volunteer Input: MFIL
Job-Coordinator Mayan Traditionals:Zumpulche Rituals Mayan Village where he lives: Piste.
Both Jose Santos and Lorenzo Tamay have worked since their late teen
years at
Hacienda Chichen with a
high dedicated service attitude to the guests and an eager personal
commitment to learn and grow spiritually in the traditional
Mayan
holistic Cosmovision of their ancestors.
Their commitment to the Maya Foundation Board of Trustees
has helped them become the Hacienda Chichen's Maya cultural spokesmen.
They
work together preparing the many Mayan rituals performed at the
Sacred
Maya Ceremonial Site use by the Holly Elder J-Men, or Wiseman, while
they continue their training to become Elder J-Men themselves.
View from the Pierinterviews J'Men Jose Tamay.
Their work as Mayan cultural representatives, they continue promoting
the Mayan language,
culinary arts, and holistic spiritual understanding
of the Mayan healing traditions. Their dedication to preserve their
ancestors Mayan cultural legacy has help co-workers see the value of
their ancestors Cosmovision and spiritual believes. In August 2008, Jose
Santos Tamay represented the Maya Foundation In Laakeech in the 8th
International Mayan Encounter dedicated preserve the
Maya Culture &
Traditions, specially the language and rituals, this three day
convention was held in Jolom Konob'(known as Santa
Eulalia in Guatemala).
Name:
Manuela de Jesus Moo Cocoom Profession: Mayan Spa Healer, Yaxkin Spa Volunteer Social Input: Mayan medicine. Mayan Village where she lives:
Xcalacoop, Yucatan, Mexico
Manuela is an
indigenous Mayan young mother of four children, three girls and a
boy.
As a single mother she has faced
many difficulties and struggles to make ends meet before she began
working at Yaxkin Spa where she has found not only a friendly
supportive ambiance but the opportunities to grow professionally and
personally. A truly dedicated student of Mayan Healing Arts,
Manuela has had the loving support and guidance of
Senior J-Men Don Bartolome Poot and
Ix'men
Beatriz Correa; both teachers of Mayan holistic healing
and shamanic Mayan traditions.
"Being
a single parent of four is very tough but with the help of God, family,
and people like Mrs. Beatriz Correa and my co-workers, I have found
many moments to be grateful and have embraced my single motherhood
with joy, hope and faith;" says Manuela who now is one of the most experience
and highly educated Mayan Holistic therapist and young Ix-Men (Mayan
shaman female) at Yaxkin Spa. She has dedicated her work to the
Mayan Herbal Healing Arts and Rituals; today, she continues to study
Mayan Medicinal Plants and Healing traditions, cataloging many of
the wonderful healing plants found at Hacienda Chichen's
Mayan Jungle Reserve.
"The
past two years I have studied hard and practice daily all the
wonderful ancient healing methods
and holistic Mayan traditions," she says with a wide
smile, "herbal medicine is a gift of Mother Nature and the Spiritual
Realm," she adds. She has
planted a Mayan botanical garden
at her new home in Xcalacoop; "My work
is filled with positive healing energy, I am honored to be a Mayan
healer and a loving mother," she tells us as we visit her at home.
"I do volunteer at MFIL Toh Boutique, its profits help many Mayan rural children nutrition and education
as well as support rural families.
Name:
Marcela Noh Hau Profession: Yaxkin Spa Maya Healer Volunteers: Mayan art workshops Mayan Village where she lives: Yodzonot, Yucatan, Mexico
An independent youngest Mayan mother and
a great role-model to other motivated females in
her town; independent, committed, and serene, Marcela has a gentle
character and a great "holistic healing" gift she continues taking
responsible choices to improve her lifestyle and that of her
small
daughter.
Working at
Yaxkin Spa has helped her meet many of
her personal dreams and to continue studying about her
Maya cultural
roots. As a child, Marcela was taught Mayan as her first language, then
she learned Spanish; later on, a elder Mayan healer started her in the
herbal healing arts and Mayan prayers. As a young adult, Marcela
began her formal training as a Mayan Holistic Healer under the guidance
of Mrs. Beatriz Correa. Nowadays, she excels as a Mayan healer and
holistic beauty care therapist. At Yaxkin Spa, she enjoys the rewards of her
professional
commitment which have improved her personal life and economic greatly.
"At Yaxkin Spa, I have found many opportunities to
grow professionally and to achieve economical independence; for a rural
woman like me, these were dreams I was not sure I could reach," she
smiles and adds, "It has been
a great
opportunity for me to work under Mrs. Beatriz
Correa," she is Yaxkin Spa Ix-Men and Mayan Senior Holistic Healer; then
Marcela adds with a warm smile, "She is truly gifted and insightful; I am
grateful for all the many skills and techniques she has taught me that have
enhanced my education and work." Indeed, Mrs. Beatriz Correa
shares her holistic healing skills with joy and a caring
heart.
Name: Luis Esteban Iuit Dzib (left) Profession: PECP Purchasing Coordinator Volunteer Input: MFIL Food Distribution Coordinator Mayan Town where he was born: Seye, Yucatan
Name:
Juan A. Cahuich (right) Profession: PECP Purchasing Assistant Volunteer Input: MFIL Food Distribution Assistant Mayan Town where he lives: Seye, Yucatan
Both
Luis E. Iuit and Juan A. have worked since their late teen
years with the owners of PECP with a high dedicated service attitude and always eager to help.
Their commitment to work in a polite responsible manner helped them earn
the respect of their co-workers and the Maya Foundation Board of Trustees
who have entrusted
them with the purchasing and delivery of our nutrition produces send
every fifteen days to the
Nutrition Clinics.
Luis
Esteban Iuit is a smart, self-trained, hard working
Mayan young adult, that has accomplished many of
his personal goals and dreams. At the age of 23, he became the
PECP Purchasing Agent and learned
has mastered many job related skills including using professional
computer programs and earning his heavy weight truck driving license.
"Working with Mr. Bruce Gordon has given me the opportunity to be his
apprentice and learn many property management skills, including some
construction related handy-man work," Luis states with a friendly smile.
"He is always in a good mood, friendly and very eager to cooperate with
all of us," says Juan, who is his assistant and brother-in-law; both
young Mayan adults have worked together since their teen years, learning
to cope with the demands of having a family, growing professionally,
volunteering for the MFIL Nutrition Program, and continuing their responsibilities in PECP Purchasing Department, a task they take with
great joy and intense dedication.
Name:Magaly Pech Montes Profession:
Toh Boutique Supervisor & Maya Holistic Healer at Yaxkin Spa Volunteer Input: MFIL Fundraising V. Team Her Mayan Village: Libre Union, Yucatan,
Wearing
with pride her attractive "Terno," a regional gala hand-embroider dress,
Magaly tells us about her active volunteer commitment with the Maya
Foundation In Láakeech:
"It pleases me to help the children of our communities and to help bring
them opportunities many of us lacked as we grew," she says with a great
smile. She is a highly active fundraising participant and donor,
volunteering a lot of her time to run Toh Boutique and to create colorful "rebozos" sold there, profits help
our Mayan Children Nutrition.
A
self-motivated indigenous
Mayan young mother, Magaly works hard and takes care of her household financial responsibilities
with great success.
She understands the power of faith and the importance of what a loving
support can bring to a young soul; thus, she is whole hearty dedicated to her
son's welfare and education as much as to improve her own education and
professional skills. "My life has brought me challenges and
opportunities to grow and improve myself, some of them have been hard to
bare," she then adds: "I have learned to be strong and to believe in
myself; I am blessed with the support and encouragement of those that love me and wish to see me succeed and
happy." She tells us that when she started working at
Toh Boutique four years ago,
she lacked the professional skills and education the job required.
With a sweet smile she told us: "Thanks to Mrs. Belisa Barbachano's
encouragement and support, I have faced many personal and professional
challenges with great courage and faith."
Committed and responsible, she takes great pride
in her career achievements and joy in her work as a Mayan Spa Therapist.
She continues her computer and
English classes on Sundays, and assist as
a volunteer with Toh Boutique's sales and book-keeping.
Today, she is a living example of positive action and professional
excellence.
Name:
Josue Cime Profession: Executive Chef at Hacienda Chichen Resort Volunteer Social Input: Cooking Trainning Program &
Job Opportunities 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.
Now, 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.
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
Chichen Service if interested in booking Chef
Josue Cime's Mayan
Fusion Cuisine and Mayan Cooking Classes.
For further
information contact The Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. by phone: US toll free # 813 435 6904 or by email to: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx
DID YOU KNOW:The
Geotourism
Challenge 2009 for Sustaining the Future of Destinations,
featured our NGO the Maya Foundation In Laakeech
and the Hacienda Chichen sustainable innovating tourism vision? This
Geo-Challenge was sponsored by National Geographic and Ashoka's Changemakers.
