FAQ – The Centro Maya Project of the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa

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What is the difference between Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan and The Centro Maya Project?
Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan is a center for disabled children in San Juan la Laguna, serving the local community of towns and villages. It is recognized within Guatemala as a Non-governmental Organization (NGO in English; ONG in Spanish) with a governing board and staff. The Centro Maya Project is a major social justice project of the congregation of the Unitarian Church in Davenport, Iowa. The Centro Maya Project supports programs at Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan and other program areas in the community.

How is Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan funded?
Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan is run by a committee of parents and led by a director who is the mother of one of the children. In the past, getting financial support from the government was time-consuming and difficult, but the government has supported teacher salaries as of January, 2009, when a change in policy included education of disabled children. (Previously, disabled children were not accepted as students in the public schools.) Other governmental support is still difficult to obtain.

Currently, Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan receives about 40% funding from the government; 40% funding from Stevdenmaya and Sendero de Maiz and other private and corporate sources. The Centro Maya Project of the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa, currently funds programs that account for approximately 20% of the total budget of Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan.

How is The Centro Maya Project funded?
The Centro Maya Project of the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa, is primarily funded by individual contributions from Members and Friends of the congregation. In addition to individuals and groups who hear of the project and support it through one-time gifts, long-term contributors include:

• A fall nut sale held at the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa

• Fox Island United Church of Christ, Fox Island, Washington, for scholarships within the Back-to-School program

• Jim and Anca Vaughn, Fox Island, Washington, for operating expenses of the Back-to-School program

• Charlie King, who donates a percentage of proceeds from an annual concert held at the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa

• Junior high Religious Education (ROPE) students at the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa

Who oversees expenditures of The Centro Maya Project?
Jeanne Nakamaru, a long-time Friend of the Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa, administers the funds. All monies are processed through the Unitarian Church and then transferred to an international remittance account which Jeanne can draw upon from Guatemala. Either Jeanne, Bob Nakamaru, or both are in San Juan la Laguna seven months of the year and oversee program administration during those seven months. Assisting are volunteer local residents, Benedicto Ixtamer Peréz and Maria Concepcion Cholotio Hernandez, who serve as field workers on various programs throughout the year.

Does The Centro Maya Project collaborate with other organizations and groups?
Yes, The Centro Maya Project has worked with many groups during the past few years. They include, but are not limited to:

• A grocery store in San Juan la Laguna that provides a discount for food purchased for Salvando Vidas and employment for disabled young adults

• Rotary club of Washington state, providing water filtration devices

• Fox Island United Church of Christ, Fox Island, Washington, supporting the Back-to-School program

• Medical services groups from the Quad Cities including audiologists, clinical psychologists, and medical doctors who support the hearing aid and medical assistance program at Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan

• Publishers of children’s Spanish language books and therapy materials

• Vine International for shipping

• Groups that work together to provide surgical repair of cleft lip and palate include Smile Train, Faces of Hope physicians (Oakland, California), and Obras de Hermano Pedro – a hospital that provides space and operating rooms

• an educational group that provided worms and training in worm composting

• individual volunteers

What is the overall impact of The Centro Maya Project on the larger community of San Juan la Laguna?
The Centro Maya Project has created a mutually beneficial relationship between the people of San Juan la Laguna and others throughout the world. In Guatemala, lives are saved through improved nutrition and pure water; lives are enriched through education, speech therapy, and medical care; people are empowered through economic spin-offs, such as support of the local grocery store and sale of artisans’ work. Elsewhere, lives are enriched through personal relationships with wonderful people and the experience of Mayan/Guatemalan culture and world view.

What are the textiles and beadwork sometimes available on Sunday mornings?
Occasionally, Jeanne brings textiles and beadwork made by local women and offers them for sale. All proceeds are returned to the artisans, providing income and recognition within their families and community.

How can I contribute?
If you are a member of the Unitarian Church, your contribution will be tax-deductible. Write a check to the Unitarian Church, Davenport, with The Centro Maya Project in the memo line and mail to:

—or—
Members of the congregation may set up an automatic withdrawal from their bank account. Contact the congregation’s Treasurer at the address above for details.
—or—
If you are not a member of the church, contact Jeanne at the email address below for instructions.
 

How can I volunteer?
For information about volunteering please contact Jeanne Nakamaru at jeannewahlquist @ yahoo.com.