Parent’s Committee Meeting of the Nuevo Amanecer School

Parent’s Committee Meeting of the Nuevo Amanecer School

  The parent’s committee meeting was held in the school of Nuevo Amanecer on September 27th at 8am.  The meeting’s objective was to analyze problems affecting the school and explore solutions.  The main purpose was to discuss the progress and completion of the kitchen financed and built by volunteers of Flint Hill.  More than 30 parents were present and they all showed appreciation for AMA and the volunteers’ coordination and organization with the committee. 

The parent’s committee decided the kitchen’s roof is ready for the installation of a second level.  Previously decided, a classroom will be built above the kitchen, a project that will commence next year.  For this reason, construction of the roof has not been completed.  Also, the parents are planning different activities to raise money for construction of a kitchen terrace.  This will hopefully be finished by the end of the year, just in time for the starting of classes in January 2011.

The parents of Nuevo Amanecer thanked Flint Hill volunteers for graciously giving their effort, money and time to finance and begin the project.  Flint Hill created the foundation; something which can not be seen, but whose results are emanate.  The foundation is the most important part of a building; it supports the kitchen's walls and the future classroom which will reside above.

AMA presented an analysis of the incurred construction costs and made mention of the revolutionary philosophy and methodology being practiced in the school involving the teachers, parents and children.  Statements from the parents were very emotional and full of gratitude.  They truly feel the compassion of AMA.  Everyone is prepared to increase, even more, their participation and communication of AMA's goals for the betterment of the community, school and future.

A women’s group of AMA, led by Doña María Isabel, remembered the efforts of Debora and her great love for the community.  In the United States, she made sacrifices to ensure a group of participants who posses an enthusiasm for continued work with the people of Nuevo Amanecer.  “The school is vital to our children’s education.  We will continue to organize and support the educational programs of AMA.   We believe our Mayan culture has much to offer this new generation, and for this, we want our culture, history, and Cosmovision to thrive within our youth.  We have the knowledge to help our children find their identities and not be captured by transgressions in society.  Thank you for your many efforts and God Bless."

As the sacred book El Popl Vhu states, “Let all rise that nobody is left behind”.

Photos of the construction process...

Women of AMA

Name: Juanita Hernandez

Age: 36

Title: Administrator

Time in AMA: 1 year and 7 months

Juanita’s favorite part about AMA is being able to be share in a philosophy that aids and empowers women of all types.  She loves seeing the transformation through working with her projects and achieving the goals and objectives of AMA. “As women we must support each other and help the most vulnerable.”

Name: Catarina de Jesús Tuy Tzep

Age: 23

Title: Coordinator of the Women’s Circles (CMA)

Time in AMA: 7 Months

While “Caty” enjoys spending time in the office with her co-workers, she feels most content when serving in the communities.  Her experiences with the Women’s Circles has been life changing and an opportunity she is most grateful to have received. She believes AMA’s greatest obstacle is then mentality of dependence and sometimes  a low participation and collaboration from the women.

Name: Claudia Ramírez

Age: 33

Title: General Coordinator

Time in AMA: 6 years

Claudia’s favorite part of her work is seeing the impact of sustainable development that is achieved through each woman.  What makes her job special is being able share in the progressive philosophy of AMA. She believes the most serious problem that AMA faces is a lack of financing for ample community development programs.

Name: Hilda Chanchavac

Age: 34

Title: Health Program Coordinator 

Time in AMA: 9 years

“AMA strives to know the community’s problems, as a result, real change becomes possible.”  Hilda enjoys the freedom to choose a field in which she feels most comfortable.  Her work is with nurses and midwives because she believes that Western and Mayan medicine works especially well together.  When combined, they can provide access to health services for everyone.  Hilda explains that AMA’s main hurdle is sufficient program funding.

Name:  Claudia Manuela Villagran

Age: 24

Title: Civic Participation Coordinator

Time in AMA: 6 months

Claudia’s has learned so much in the short 6 months while being a part of AMA and she has truly enjoyed participating in the different activities which serve to help women realize their true potential.  She also enjoys meeting new people of different cultures and ways of living.  An obstacle AMA faces, like most nonprofit organizations, is funding to fully support the beneficial projects.

Solidarity Project

The solidarity project was created after the selfless inhabitants of Ixtahuacán willingly placed their lives in danger and participated in the ultimate act of solidarity. While helping strangers caught in a landslide, another enveloped the volunteers; 12 died and many were injured.


This project supports the widows of the brave men who gave their lives to help others.

http://s905.photobucket.com/albums/ac255/highlandsupportproject/Solidarity%20Fund/?action=view&current=87b831e7.pbw