Partners of the AmericasAlabama - Guatemala Chapter
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The Alabama-Guatemala Chapter holds membership meetings twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. Executive and other committees meet as needed. |
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Viva la Selva is a community library and cultural center located in San Andrés—a small town on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá in northern Guatemala. The library was established in 1999 and almost instantly became the educational center of the entire community. In late 2001, Viva la Selva expanded to include a cultural center, with the goal of reviving traditional dances and music, and to provide unique educational opportunities to individuals in the community. In 2002, we inaugurated a medicinal plant interpretive trail. A community playground was dedicated on December 28, 2004. We recently completed the development of a not-for-profit snack bar/kiosk at the playground to raise funds for long-term playground maintenance. So far, the kiosk has been a huge hit in the community and it's a great example of self-sustainability.
Please visit our Home Page for a link with more information about the Carlos Soza Manzanero Community Playground in San Andrés, Guatemala. Before Viva la Selva opened its doors, there were practically no books available to the children and adolescents of San Andrés. After a only short time in operation, Viva la Selva is proud to be able to share with the community hundreds of books, dozens of educational videos, various mind-developing games and puzzles, a microscope, two telescopes, and a handful of interactive computer programs--all within a setting conducive to the spirit of learning and education. Viva la Selva is the only community library in the state of Petén, Guatemala—an area almost twice the size of New Jersey! The library has generated so much enthusiasm in the region that school groups from rural villages over ninety miles away travel via pickup truck to have the chance to spend a few hours reading and learning more about the unique environment in which they live. Viva la Selva is a reality thanks to the on-the-ground efforts of ProPetén and the kind contributions of various individuals and organizations. Please join us in supporting Viva la Selva. Together we can make a difference. Written by: Project Coordinator and Partners Member Daniel Irwin. Community Library Cultural Center & Playground Petén, Guatemala |
 The Chanticleer – The Student Newspaper of Jacksonville State University Issue date: 12/01/05 Article excerpt written by: Angela Reid Imagine that you are in the plaza of a small village in rural Guatemala. Poverty surrounds you. The country is war-torn and weather-stricken. The people are still suffering from a civil war that ended in 1996. Hurricane Stan set their recovery back even farther with flooding and mudslides. With all this in mind, a smiling young girl approaches you holding something precious in her hand. The shoebox man has come through the village. She has something to show you, something the shoebox man gave her, something she's always wanted. She opens her hand - it's a pencil sharpener. Her family had divided the contents of their shoebox among them. That pencil sharpener was her Christmas. This is not an exaggerated story intended to warm your heart with the spirit of Christmas giving. This actually happened and is still happening. You can ask Dr. George Lauderbaugh and the other Partners of the Americas, a group that promotes interpersonal relationships between states and Central American countries. The group supports people to people programs, such as the shoebox program, because "sometimes government to government programs don't work," says Lauderbaugh. Though the Shoeboxes for Guatemala program has been in existence for more than 15 years through the Alabama-Guatemala Partners in the Americas, the JSU History Club and Phi Alpha Theta decided to get involved 3 years ago. History Club President Jeff Kretzschmar is excited about the project because "little, simple things can make a tremendous impact." An AM/FM radio can "make a difference to an entire town" says Kretzschmar because it's a new line of communication. "To find out what's going on in the world is a major accomplishment." What makes this program different than all the other shoebox programs that ship boxes around the world is that a 79 year-old retired NASA engineer, Homer Wilson, drives from Huntsville to Guatemala to personally deliver the boxes. There is no question about families actually getting what people here give. "There are so many kids down there who don't have anything," he says. In the past, they've had problems getting the boxes through customs in Mexico, but somehow, "Wilson makes it happen" Lauderbaugh says. "He drives right into the villages." Last year, Wilson gave out over 5,000 boxes from across the state of Alabama. This year, Lauderbaugh is hoping that more than 300 of those boxes will come from the JSU campus. The History Club and Phi Alpha Theta are asking for toys, new clothes, school supplies, and personal hygiene products. Even if you can't fill an entire shoebox, an 88-cent pack of pencils can be divided up among boxes and given to several children. Kretzschmar suggests donating trial size products many students get at the beginning of the year or making a trip to Dollar General. Even $3 can make a huge impact. "We make every penny stretch as far as we can," Kretzschmar says. He's right. Last year, the group used rubber bands to hold together the bulging boxes. If you can't donate supplies to fill the boxes, donate a box itself. Last year, volunteers working to fill boxes had supplies left over when all the boxes were filled. The group took over a room in Stone Center to distribute supplies before sending the boxes to Wilson. To donate to the program, fill a shoebox and attach an index card listing the gender and age group of the child that should receive the box. If you choose to wrap the box, wrap the lid separately. Then, leave the box with Dr. George Lauderbaugh in 309 Stone Center before December 15. Supplies and boxes can also be dropped off in his office. With all the customs regulations, it is essential to follow the restrictions when giving to the program. All items must be new. There are laws against used items, such as half-full shampoo bottles and worn clothing. Also, avoid toys that promote violence such as knives and guns. Though the shoebox program is an important program through the Partners in Americas organization, it is not the only thing they do. In 1967, Alabama was partnered with Guatemala to promote communication between the two peoples. "This is just one of the programs," says Lauderbaugh. For more information about Partners involvement, please contact Dr. George Lauderbaugh at glauderb@jsu.edu. |
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ACOGUA The following information supplied by ACOGUA explains what it is, and through its Community Service Committee, the positive impact it is having in the department of Santa Rosa, Guatemala in education and health. ACOGUA, founded in 1958, began the Community Service Committee in 1971, and since then has provided a continuous service for the economically challenged population that reside in rural areas. ACOGUA began with a group of small, middle and large coffee producers, whose farms are located in the central and southeastern areas of Guatemala. Since then, coffee growers from other areas of the country have also joined in. This association is characterized by its great respect for democracy and equality, and the desire to help the needy. All members of this association have the same right to voice and vote, indiscriminate of the amount of coffee he may produce. We all work with great dedication, love for Earth and deep respect for all fellow citizens. Within the Association, all opinions are discussed in open dialogue. We firmly believe that our nation's problems are so complex, that no one sector alone can resolve them. Since its birth, ACOGUA has been a positive, proactive influence in the national scene. ACOGUA has built and maintained bridges, local roads and schools; it has introduced communications systems, and health care centers in the desire to improve the standard of living of the general population in rural areas. An example of this generosity is the donation through Guatel (Guatemalan telephone system) of a microwave telephone system to the Guatemalan government. This system, now updated, is still in use. Members of ACOGUA have had and continue to have a prominent position in the establishment and operation of ANACAFE (National Coffee Association). ACOGUA has strongly contributed in the making of laws and regulations that directly affect the coffee sector, and as a logical result, the economic and social progress of Guatemala. In 1971, ACOGUA's first Health Care Center opened as a direct answer to the obvious social need. Strategically located in "El Progreso" farm, Health Care Center 1 cares for 20,000 rural inhabitants. They provide health education, maternity and nutrition programs, outpatient care, and first aid and emergency services, including ambulance transport. In 1976, Health Care Center II was founded, located in Barberena, and important town in the department of Santa Rosa. This Center attends to the needs of approximately 40,000 inhabitants, all of limited resources. Center II also has a laboratory, provides dental care and a discount pharmacy. Another example of ACOGUA's social activities occurred during the 1976 earthquake. During this national tragedy, ACOGUA dedicated itself to the rebuilding on an entire town, "El Florido", located in the municipality of Sanarate. A seven kilometer road was built; together with INDE (National Electricity Institute) electricity was installed. Together with the German embassy, a school was built, a potable water system was installed, eighty demolished homes were rebuilt and 1200 fruit trees, donated by ANACAFE's farm Buena Vista, were planted. ACOGUA also built a school in the municipality of Tecuaco, after the 1978 earthquake in Santa Rosa. In 1988, Health Care Center North was founded. This Center, located at the "Arenal" farm in Senahu, Alta Verapaz, attends to approximately 10,000 inhabitants in a community long forgotten and in great need. Before the arrival of Health Care Center North, all persons were "cured" with concoctions and potions prescribed by local healers and shamans. Since it's beginning, ACOGUA's Community Service Committee has signed and sustained agreements, with national and international welfare organizations that share our beliefs. Among these are: Ministry of Public Health and Social Services of Guatemala; Guatemalan Social Security; Guatemalan Pediatric Foundation; CARE; the Sovereign Order of Malta; Direct Relief Foundation, etc. We firmly believe "Ayudando todos, lo haremos mejor..." "As a team, we will do it better..." ACOGUA Community Service Committee Lic. Efraín Portillo P. Gregorio Padilla y P. Dr. Mario Mazariegos M. Dr. Edgar Figueroa Ing. Bernardo Solano Ing. Sebastián Padilla B. 
 
 To see these pictures of the health care centers in a Microsoft Word Document Format, click here. BASIC SUPPLIES NEEDED 3 Otorrinolaringoscopio - EAR CANAL SCOPE 3 Esfigmomanometro - BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR 3 Camillas hospitalarias - MEDICAL BED 3 Equipos para administrar oxigeno - OXIGEN SUPPLY EQUIPMENT 3 Ambulancias de doble traccion - 4X4 VEHICLES FOR AMBULANCE USE 3 Plantas electricas - ELECTRICAL GENERATORS - Antibioticos - ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATION - Analgesicos - ANALGECIC MEDICATION - Antiacidos - ANTIACID MEDICATION - Desparacitantes - MEDICATION TO TREAT GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES - Viataminas - VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS - Acido Folico - FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENT - Hierro Oral - ORAL INDUCED IRON SUPPLEMENT - Esteroides para uso dermatologico - DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENTS - Antimicoticos - ANTI FUNGI MEDICATION 3 Lamparas de rayos X para las clinicas odontologicas - X RAY LAMPS FOR DENTAL CLINICS 6 Nebulizadores - NEBULIZING EQUIPMENT 3 Ollas esterilizadoras - STERILIZING "POT" 3 Refrigeradoras de gas para mantener biologicos - GAS POWERED REFRIGERATORS - Aporte de dinero para las reparaciones de las instalaciones de los Centros - CASH TO REPAIR THE BUILDINGS 55 Estufas portatiles de gas - Proyecto Incaparina - GAS POWERED STOVES David, este proyecto lo quieren desarrollar para los ninos de las escuelas rurales. Incaparina es un atol nutritivo, pero necesita cocinarse y las escuelas no tienen estufas. Equipo Odontologico 6 Juegos de pinzas - DENTAL USE TWEEZERS 15 Espejos con mango - DENTAL USE MIRROR 6 Exploradores - EXPLORING PROBE FOR DENTAL USE - Germicida - GERMICIDE CLEANSING SOLUTION 6 Condensadores - DENTAL CONDENSATING EQUIPMENT 6 Curetas - CURETTES 2 Pieza de mano NSK - DENTAL USE NSK HAND PIECE 2 Jeringas aspiradoras - DENTAL VACUMING SYRINGE 6 Brunidores 2 Contrangulo de 20,000 RPM 6 Elevadores Cryer 2 Punta de Cavitron 6 Porta amalgama doble extremo |
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In addition to these activities listed, our Guatemala Chapter counterparts are initiating and implementing projects in Guatemala. To learn about these go to (here link to Guatemalan partnership). |
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