ACAMAL PROJECT photo/essay -- Last English Newsletter #14 Oct. 2017 & Ultimo Boletin en ESPAÑOL

Click for: The PREVIOUS POST

 Primarily:  OUR HISTORY WITH THE NAJQUITOB VILLAGE & SCHOOL

& THE SCHOOL KITCHEN  INAUGURATION

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Click for: LAST English NEWSLETTER #14 October 2017 "A FINAL "ADIOS" 
Acamal Project Report, The "Most Outstanding from Half a Century," Letters from Greatest Donor, and Most Persistent Donor,  A Million Thanks

Click for:  ULTIMO Boletin en ESPAÑOL #14 octubre 2017 "ULTIMO ADIOS"
Proyecto Acamal, "Los Sobresalientes de Medio Siglo," Gracias a todos, Carta del Donador Mas Grande,  y del Mas Persistente -- Mil Gracias
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The promotional activity ended on August 31st when the Foundation completed 50 years of working among the Mayans in Guatemala
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  Building a KITCHEN for the ACAMAL SCHOOL in Santa Cruz Verapaz 

The  INAUGURATION DATE for the project was Thursday, October 26th
By Cordell M Andersen, Field Director

Following is a photo/essay of the project that is now complete--perhaps only lacking a few captions--added in a day or two.  The last Newsletter--link above-- was created in English reporting the final project in Alta Verapaz, including final comments on the Foundation's work from our major contributors over the half century of work among the Mayans.  The Newsletter was printed and sent to our entire list email list of present and past donors, plus a few family &  friends who could still donate if so moved.  Donation receipts for 2017 were sent along with the newsletter to all 2017 contributors.
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Most of this post will be made just with photographs, but begin with a historical photo from our Success Stories report on Acamal from back at a time when our Regional Director, retired professor Federico Veliz, was one of the two teachers there.  A very important historical writing is included that also is reproduced in the Newsletter

CRUCIAL HISTORICAL NOTE: 

From our August Newsletter #13-2017. 

I first met Federico Veliz (Pacay) when we began helping the Najquitob Village build their first

 formal school (with a cement floor).  I recall him being at the inauguration. He was then a teacher 

in the remote Pambach Village School, isolated by a landowner who didn't want any progress for

the villagers.  One Saturday, his day off, he led a group of parents hiking 3 hours following rough

 mountain trails to get to Valparaiso and ask our help to finish the simple school they were struggling

to build.With incredible teams of volunteers from Valparaiso we got that school built, but in the

 process, we together suffered death threats.  Later the guerrillas zeroed in on Pambach resulting in a

 horrendous and tragic history--which story I will eventually tell--and together Federico & myself were pressured to join the guerrillas or be killed. 

 Note:  I was initially saved by taking my family back to the U.S. after receiving a threat of 

"execution," and for several years working out of Guatemala City…..but then advised by the Army

 that a new guerrilla leader,  who was a friend,  defended me as he had observed me treating fairly my workers,
 and had aid projects in all the villages.

Federico was saved by being  transferred to the Acamal School, in a village very near Santa Cruz Verapaz,

 where he taught for many years until his retirement, and there developed Acamal into a "model school" 

that received international visitors from Israel, Taiwan and elsewhere, and there he was chosen as 

"Teacher of the Year."

When around the same time I had to sell Valparaiso, the displays of the Philosophy & Principles of the Good Life were installed at the Acamal School and our marimba from Valparaiso was also donated to the school.

The school has grown to at least 450 students, as well as also being helped by Federico to now have the Junior High level, such as he also accomplished at the Valparaiso/Rio Frio School….so our last project will be to 

HELP THEM BUILD AN ADEQUATE KITCHEN.

I feel it is more than appropriate that our final project in Alta Verapaz will be at the school where Federico finished his career and did so much more and is more than deserving of the title, 

 "THE OUTSTANDING GUATEMALAN VOLUNTEER" 

 of our entire 50-year effort.  Our love and blessings will be always for him and his wonderful family.

Below are pictures that show the history of the project at Acamal.  

As noted above, Federico  helped the Acamal Elementary School also have a Junior High School.

 The old kitchen

 THE PROJECT BEGINS 

The Project completed except for clean-up & an initial THANK YOU given.

Now the formal, PUBLIC INAUGURATION 
on Thursday, October 26th

Aura Andersen, my adopted daughter, representing me and the Foundation, with Federico Veliz, our Regional Director

The Ariel & Ines Andersen Chuluc Village School

Our support of the school will continue until December helping the Community with maintenance expenses of the school, and paying  Mario de la Cruz, as one of the teachers, his vacation pay and Christmas bonus--which is making possible him supporting his family, and on weekends finish his university degree as a lawyer.  He is our volunteer Regional Director, having served the Foundation for over 15 years, and is also working hard at raising a growing family, pictures of two of his three inserted below were recently forwarded to us.

 George Mario, seen above participating in the Anual Fair parade in Patzicia.

And, his newest, Kenny Julio, born on August 5th.  

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIO & HIS WIFE, ELENA.

We have funds in the bank to continue to meet our commitments with Mario and the school until the end of the school year.  Once that is taken care of, a final Anual Financial Report will be made, and a final post will be made on this website, and the Guatemalan Foundation will be retired.

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THIS WEBSITE WILL BE MAINTAINED PERMANENTLY & ADDED TO  WITH IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHS & VIDEOS AS THERE ARE MANY OF GREAT VALUE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DIGITIZED YET.

Notices will be emailed when such are put online.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.