service Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Guatemala Partnership

Climate Change

January 27, 2019December 2, 2020Guatemala Partnership

We traveled to two more groups today. We visited the women of Reina and Mujeres Virtuosas. At the beginning of the day, we hiked up a stony pathway to arrive at Reina. We met at a member’s home and learned about their various projects.

Reina invested its revolving fund into sheep, chickens, a cow, and plants for reforestation. While the women do sell some plants at the local market, many are used to reforest the community. The only difficult part of this particular project seems to be climate change.

La Cruz y Los Claveles

January 25, 2019January 25, 2020Guatemala Partnership

Today we got to encounter women in the Association as we ventured to three revolving fund groups. We started off the day by picking up some old friends: Rosario, Coordinator of the Association and two Board members. We also picked up Vicente and Alfredo of AJPU, the men who build the stoves, latrines, and filters, and Carlos who provides information about proper animal and plant care for the women. The bus ride was interesting as four languages were being spoken: English, Spanish, Mam, and K’iche!

Ruins and Reunions

January 25, 2019July 9, 2019Guatemala Partnership

Today was largely another travel day with some fun activities mixed in. We traveled from Guatemala City to the Western Highlands, which is about a 4 to 5 hour drive.

There was a nice excursion in the middle of the bus ride to the last standing Mayan ruin in Guatemala, Iximche.

It was inhabited by the indigenous Kaqchikel in the late 1400s until it was later conquered by the Spaniards. The site was full of palaces, temples, and Mayan ball courts. There was even spaces for traditional fire ceremonies which were used for spiritual purposes.

CEDEPCA and NCP Agreement Signing and more!

January 24, 2019January 18, 2021Guatemala Partnership

What a great start to an inevitably remarkable trip! After arriving late Tuesday evening, the New Castle Presbytery Leadership Team visited CEDEPCA and a local church. One team member Rev. Edwin Estevez of Riverfront and Grace Methodist Churches preached in Spanish.

Trip members from Community, Dover, Ocean View, Riverfront, and Westminster Wilmington Churches as well as NCP staff

Like all trips to Guatemala, CEDEPCA is the first stop. We learned a brief history of Guatemala and how it got to present day. Additionally, we got to learn more about CEDEPCA’s women’s ministry. Through providing empowerment training to redefine such a patriarchal society for these women, they are doing transformative work throughout Guatemala. These classes are also used by women in the Association.