Mission

The mission of Proyecto Itzaes is to provide educational resources for children and families in villages in Yucatán where traditional farming and fishing can no longer support families. We believe that the fundamental tools of literacy should be available to all. Our goal is to build sustainable community service programs that promote family-centered learning and respect Maya cultural heritage. Education will create new opportunities for children to fully realize their gifts in a changing world.

Vision

We envision a future where children in Yucatec villages have full opportunities to achieve the education necessary for successful participation in a changing economy. We hope to be an organization that builds and spreads a successful mode of sustainable community service based educational programs.

Proyecto Itzaes

Proyecto Itzaes began in Chicxulub Puerto, a fishing village on the north coast of Yucatán and now serves the five additional villages of Dzemul, Ixil, Chicxulub Pueblo, Cholul, and Mococha.

Proyecto Itzaes (PI), a 501c3 non-profit organization is a free, community service based, educational program in Yucatán, Mexico, founded in 1995 by Cynthia Wilber. Proyecto Itzaes serves communities where traditional subsistence lifestyles dependent on farming and seasonal fishing can no longer support families. 

The name, Proyecto Itzaes, means “Project of the People.” Dedicated to the goal of democratizing learning and knowledge, PI provides real reasons and avenues for the villagers (primarily of Maya descent) to develop new skills, promote literacy and to teach those that follow. Children acquire learning skills and build strong academic foundations in three languages (Maya, Spanish and English) in after school programs that emphasize early childhood education, family literacy, special education, cultural preservation and more.

Since 1995, as a measurable outcome of PI, the children of Chicxulub Puerto are continuing on not just to high school, but to the university and via the Leamos Juntos program, the level of literacy of the entire village has changed dramatically. PI Yucatán is a community effort and every learner at Proyecto Itzaes is also a teacher. This is reflected in the motto of the project: Kaambal U tia’al Ka’ansaj ::: Aprender para Enseñar ::: Learning in Order to Teach.

Staff

SIMÓN JOAQUIN CLOPTON, Proyecto Itzaes International Program Director

• Community education and programs director for Proyecto Itzaes in Yucatán focused on creating sustainable change. Photographer, videographer, writer

Board of Directors

CYNTHIA J. WILBER, Founder and Executive Director of Proyecto Itzaes. Education Coordinator, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Stanford University

• Educational specialist focused on curriculum development, community outreach programs and access to knowledge for indigenous peoples.  Bilingual author. 

WALTER HAYS, Palo Alto Rotary, Rotary International

• Retired trial lawyer and professional mediator.  San Jose, CA City Council, 1969-1973. Past-President, Palo Alto Rotary Club. 2001 “Outstanding Citizen” by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Organizer of the 2004, Rotary International Hands-on Project that renovated and restocked the library in Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatán, Mexico

LAURA JONES, Director, Heritage Services and University Archaeologist in Land Use and Environmental Planning

• Anthropologist and Archaeologist with special interest in cultural geography and the response of indigenous cultures to modern change. Focus on reform in doctoral programs in research universities, and community outreach programs for educators.

HERNAN CANTO, Club Rotario Nuevas Generaciones, Mérida, Yucatán. Vice President of Rotarios Latinos.

• Professor of Law, Universidad Marista, Mérida Yucatan Mexico. Founding member and past president of Rotary Club Nuevas Generaciones, Merida, Yucatán

DAN QUINN, Palo Alto Rotary, Photographer, Environmentalist

• Retired physicist, management consultant, and financial engineer. Former board member of Hidden Villa and of Insight Meditation Center of Redwood City. Co-president and board member, Palo Alto Camera Club, International photographer: see www.CaptureTheLight.net

LAURA HOHNSBEEN, Princeton University

• Princeton University undergraduate majoring in International Politics.
  Multi-year participant in Proyecto Itzaes programs Ixil, Yucatán.

 
GEORGE WHEATON, Palo Alto Rotary, Alta Mesa Improvement Company.

• Retired engineer, business executive and consultant. Past President of Palo Alto Rotary Club, and former Rotary Assistant District Governor. Originated and participated in numerous Rotary International projects in Central America, with particular emphasis on potable water. Board member of Alta Mesa Improvement Company as well as several non-profit organizations.

Learn more

To learn more about what we do, visit our Programs page or watch one of our short videos:

When I grow up, I want to be a scientist.
The Science in the Villages Program inspires a young student. (1:27)

Read to Me.
A message from our Yucatán children (1:48)

Isaac prints his name.
One day, Isaac receives a printing set. (1:12)