Computer Literacy

Computer classes and access to technology have been a key component to PI programs since 1995 and children and adults alike are learning computer skills  that are increasingly essential for school and jobs.  The  motto of Proyecto Itzaes: Learning in Order to Teach/Ka’ambal Ut’ial Kansaj/ Aprender para Enseñar is vividly illustrated in our humble but very busy computer rooms, with young children teaching each other as well as adults from the communities.  

Technology is also in great demand to archive  stories in both Maya and Spanish,  to store photos including old photos that  have been scanned for history and to keep a digital record of recordings and video from each village.

Computers, scanners and even a digital microscope are in constant demand with  Proyecto Itzaes science programs. In Ixil, students are creating a digital herbarium of scanned plants that includes the plant name in Spanish, Maya and the scientific name as well as traditional ecological  and ethnobotanical knowledge supplied by elders.

This “real-work”  approach to technology is a very hands-on way to become proficient with programs and hardware as well as producing  tangible products.

WIFI in the villages! In late 2007 with a grant from the Foundation for Global Community, PI began an ambitious project to provide  wireless network to our villages. Working together with Solitech, towers have been installed with solar powered radio relays  and in March, 2009, Yahel Ben-David,  of the Airjaldi Organization will be flying to Yucatán to work with PI staff, Simón Clopton and local volunteer, Jorge Carlos Berny to get the much awaited wifi up and running.