Mirador, Guatemala
Cradle of Mayan Civilization
A roofing system protects Structure 34 from deterioration by heavy tropical rains.
An important component of the research and conservation work in the Mirador Basin has been the social, educational, and developmental work with the communities that surround the Mirador Basin. The purpose of such activity is to provide economic alternatives to the negative forces that wreck havoc on the environment, the archaeological sites, and individual lives and families. It has been tremendously gratifying to see the achievements and accomplishments of people who traditionally have had so little hope. The opportunities that are provided by the project represent a major advantage for the protection and preservation of the area, and represent a real solution to many of the problems facing Guatemala and the Lowland communities that live adjacent to the Mirador Basing region.
The project has taken an active role in combating looting, deforestation, poaching, and depredation of Maya cultural heritage and the natural environment through placement of numerous guards, implementing education programs and vocational training, as well as providing major employment opportunities for communities and towns in northern Guatemala. Public films, publications, and scientific documentaries have contributed to awakening international interest in the Mirador Basin, and the unusual cultural and natural heritage contained therein.
GHF has equipped and trained 60 guides in the community association and funded Mirador’s 30 park rangers who have been instrumental to stop the burning, looting, poaching and illegal logging in within the Mirador area. The project provided employment to 318 workers, 40 specialists, and 22 Guatemalan and American students, while continuing with programs of tourism infrastructure, health, potable water systems, computer systems for schools in communities, schools for Tourism Guides including the first graduating class of 28 students from the first school of community guides, and the literacy and education programs for workers.
Mirador Basin Project taught literacy courses to 111 workmen, with the majority learning to read and write their names, read elementary texts, and to read and write numbers. Math courses were also given for basic home and business financial calculations. In addition, educational classes are provided to all 320 workmen employed in the Mirador Basin on subjects ranging from history, ecology, financial consulting, hygiene, health and first aid, archaeology, photograph, ethnohistory, investment strategies, botany, and biology.
GHF opened the first water system in Carmelita critical to visitors and the locals for Mirador to be successful. The Project also provided water filter systems for the villages surrounding the Mirador Basin, together with Eco-Filtros, a non-profit organization based in Antigua. A total of 108 filters were distributed and training provided for families in communities. 45 computers are operational with custom-designed courses for students and adults on conservation, nature, wildlife, archaeology, history, guiding and park ranger training.
