Global Citizens Network (GCN) Project Site:
Cantel, GUATEMALA
Check Trip Schedule for Trip dates
The Area and People
The indigenous Maya population in and around Quetzaltenango continues to experience rural poverty and discrimination from the Guatemalan government and the country at large. In an effort to be in solidarity with indigenous
peoples and their struggle around the world, GCN has committed to work with the Mayan people of Cantel to collaborate with their
community development and rights recognition both there and here.
In Guatemala, Cantel is part of the Department of Quetzaltenango (located 40 minutes from Quetzaltenango.
It is believed that the name stems from the Khan-til meaning "snake feathered." Cantel was founded approximately in 1580 AD, and at
present has a population of 35,000 inhabitants, with 95% belonging
to the K' iche' (Quiche in Spanish) Mayan tradition.
Cantel has nine communities with poverty and there is extreme poverty in the mountainous areas. The
main agriculture is the cultivation of corn and beans, and the main handicraft is weaving as well as creating ceremonial, festival and daily fabrics.
GCN has partnered with the NGO, La Asociacion Wajxaqib Aj, which has a sister organization in Minneapolis, the Mayan Center for Peace/Centro Maya Para la Paz, whose goal is to fortify solidarity and peace among the communities.
Travel Itinerary
Team members will arrive in Guatemala City where they will be met by
a Guatemalan host and taken to a hotel for the night. The next
morning, before heading out to the village, participants can do some banking, take a walking tour of the city, go shopping, and make arrangements for any excursions they may take after the trip. Midday, the team will take a bus four hours to Quetzaltenango. At the end of the stay, the team will return via the same route to Guatemala City, where they will overnight in Antigua before flying home or to one of the
many regional places of interest.
Accommodation and Meals
The team will stay in community members’ homes with their families, one or two participants per home. Homes in Cantel may have electricity and indoor toilets, but trip participants should be prepared to do without either, as the facilities of homes differ. Team meals will generally be eaten as a group. The team’s meals will be prepared by a local Mayan woman who does her cooking over a gas plate and wood fire in one of the village kitchens. Bottled water for drinking will be bought for the team in Quetzaltenango. During the dry season, water is scarce and only sponge baths may be available.
Time to Explore
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. Guatemala has many regional sites of interest , including museums, colonial architecture and churches, handicraft markets and archaeological sites. Many trip participants like to extend their time in Guatemala either before or after the GCN trip to take these into account. Possible side trips include visits to Tikal, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala City or Antigua. Many GCN
participants have studied Spanish a week or more at Casa de Espanol
Xelaju, a language institute in Quetzaltenango, just one of many other
language schools in the country.
Health Issues
Participants are required to be in sound health. Potential participants with significant physical limitations are encouraged to check with their physician and discuss the situation with GCN staff beforehand. Some inoculations may be required. Check with your local travel clinic or the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for accurate information.
Costs
The program cost for this ten day trip is $1,575. Program costs cover on-site accommodations (lodging and meals), round trip transportation from Guatemala City to Cantel, training materials, donation to the project, tshirt, and a portion of the team leader’s expenses.
The cost for travel to and from Guatemala City, and costs relating to time-off activities, are additional and the responsibility of the individual trip participant.
All trip related costs are tax-deductible in the U.S.
Discounts available (one per person/group)
For further information contact us:
Global Citizens Network
130 N. Howell St.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 644-0960 or (800) 644-9292
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