Summer 2011 with floods

Dear Friends of Proyecto Itzaes/Queridos Amigos de Proyecto Itzaes
June 30, 2011
Greetings from Yucatán and from Proyecto Itzaes!
I had expected to start this 2011 PI update with news of upcoming summer programs,
literacy achievements and a few highlights of the successes of our amazing students and
families, but the recent tropical storm is our biggest news this morning— the rain and
flooding this week has destroyed the crops of many of our PI families who have lost not
only the cosecha (harvest) but also their investment in seed and many lost shade cloth
structures as well. For those of you who read Spanish you can see a story from today’s
Diario de Yucatán here: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/20110630/seccion-
10/yucatan.htm
Summer in Yucatán is the rainy season— typically with a welcome deluge in the
afternoon followed by the return of sunny skies. Two weeks ago the rains began and
farmers started planting their fields anticipating months of crops. Now though, they will
be struggling to buy more seed and starting over—tremendously difficult for families
who are already living in extreme poverty. Please help them replant if you can!

http://wp.proyectoitzaesusa.org/donate/

The flooding and loss of crops will also effect PI’s current farmers’ market project
funded by the Palo Alto Rotary, Club Rotario Nuevas Generaciones and the Rotary
Foundation. The Ixil farmers’ market project builds on last year’s bio-intensive gardening
efforts and will be modeled after successful US farmers’ markets creating better outlets
and profits for local farmers as well as artisans while strengthening community. PI will
be helping families replant as soon as possible and hopefully by the end of summer
families will have an abundant variety of healthy, organic foods for sale.
In other news Proyecto Itzaes programs are thriving in the villages of Ixil, Too,
Chicxulub Pueblo, Dzemul and Cholul! The new books that so many of you helped us
purchase in the past year have been read thousands of times and after-school programs
continue to inspire children and their families to reach for and achieve their education
dreams. PI classes and programs are community driven with older students teaching and
mentoring younger students while developing their own leadership skills and serving as
vital role models within the villages. Many PI asesores (mentors) are currently studying
at the university as well as working and PI is thrilled to announce that Pastorita Pech
Cutz, who has mentored younger students in PI Ixil for more than six years has
graduated from the university with a degree en infomatica tecnica y administracion.
Be sure to check the Proyecto Itzaes webpage in the next week to read Pastorita’s profile
and to have the chance to write to her and personally extend your congratulations.
Congratulations Pastorita!!
Summer Programs!
In the next few weeks all PI villages will be starting summer enrichment programs that
will provide a multitude of summer activities for hundreds of children. All the more
important this year as families face the challenges of lost crops. PI centers will be
buzzing with tutoring, crafts, music, dance, computer classes, reading marathons,
reforestation projects and much more!
To make this happen we need more books, SO SO much construction paper, glue, paints,
pens, pencils and other craft supplies, sports equipment and several more tablet laptops.
Please help! http://wp.proyectoitzaesusa.org/donate/
For the price of a pizza you could purchase three books that will be read over and over
by hundreds of children.
Stanford University rising senior Erica Fernandez ( above) will be leading an ecology
class for PI families that will include guest speakers visiting the villages for community
environmental forums . Erica will also be working in Ixil and other villages on a
reforestation project that is part of her honors thesis.
GRACIAS!!
Best wishes for a warm and enriching summer to all of you and hoping that you can help
us provide the same for our children and families here! Mil gracias, Dios bo’otik and
thank you all for supporting Proyecto Itzaes.
Abrazos from all of us at Proyecto Itzaes!

http://proyectoitzaesusa.org