Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan - History

Centro Maya Project | Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan | Saving Lives
My School Fund | History | QC Connection | FAQ

Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan is located in San Juan la Laguna, a small, town of about 10,000 in the department of Sololá, Guatemala, on the shores of Lake Atitlán. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lago_de_Atitlan)

Originally named Candela (Candle), the center began in a house and later a rented building with the goal of helping those who were mentally or physically handicapped to improve their conditions and way of life. The disabled in Guatemala are not always treated well, and families can feel embarrassed and may avoid taking their children out in public, leading to isolation and loss of touch with the outside world. The first language of the local people is one of the twenty-three Mayan languages. School children learn Spanish.

In 2008, Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan became a school with a new building made possible by funds donated by a Japanese company. Guatemala’s First Lady, Wendy Widman de Berger came to the small community to dedicate the new building. As of 2009, over 100 children and adults are registered at Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan. Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Speech therapy hours are Saturday, 8 a.m. to Noon.

This congregation’s Centro Maya Project, other congregations, corporations, individuals, and volunteers from around the world help to support Centro Maya Xe’Kiyaqasiiwaan. The center seeks volunteers with any therapy background or medical experience as well as anyone who is willing to come and help. Spanish is helpful. Also computers, games, construction, tutoring, and fundraising volunteers are needed. A minimum commitment of three months is required.

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. Getting financial support from the government is 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.)