St. Michael’s Guatemala Project – CALL FOR SUMMER 2009 TEAMS

Friends. I went on this summer project to Guatemala in 2006. I had a great 3 weeks hiking and living with mountain villagers and working on this project. You don't need alot of experience, mostly just a willingness to help out and be with people in another country. The following is from an email I got from Ila Abernathy, of Tucson, who is the brains and heart behind this 15 yr old project.

"Guatemala Project lists, Additional information for you: I will be attending a wedding in NC May 30 and so probably won't leave for Guatemala before June 11, possibly not until June 15. If at all possible, I'm also going to Guate for two weeks in March, to attend the annual Asamblea General and work on fiscal stuff. If a medical person could also go at this time, we could do some basic work in communities near Nebaj and possibly arrange for some followup treatment for children. Please get in touch with me immediately if you are interested in doing something in March.

Air fares on major carriers from Tucson presently are running in the + / - $800 range. We'll hope for price breaks. Continental fares from Phoenix, including taxes, are running much less."

ILA ABERNATHY (520) 623-3063
ilaa@mindspring.com


St. Michael’s Guatemala Project – CALL FOR SUMMER 2009 TEAMS

PRELIMINARY MEETING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 3 - 4:45 P.M.

Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Avenue

Volunteers interested in joining small teams to visit the rural Maya of the CPR-Sierra for 2 to 9 weeks, from mid-June through early August, are invited to bring their questions February 22, and / or to contact R.N. Sarah Roberts, (520) 577-1806, or Coordinator Ila Abernathy, (520) 623-3063, ilaa@mindspring.com. Spanish speakers and health professionals are particularly encouraged to participate in this collaboration with local Mayan health promoters.

Everyone helps courier supplies from the U.S. After in-country orientation, teams accompany Mayan health workers and the Coordinator on 2 to 4 week "giras" (circuits). All participants pay their own expenses.

St. Michael’s Guatemala Project is an ongoing, nonprofit, non-sectarian informal partnership with the Maya of the CPR-Sierra [Communities of Population in Resistance of the Sierra] that continues a relationship begun in 1993. Focus areas include community health and health education, advocacy, arts and culture, mutual learning, and commitment to indigenous self-determination. Presently the Project provides economic aid to 30 rural Mayan health workers and helps with other health needs.

For detail and photos, please visit www.cprguatemalaproject.org.