Area Verde Foundation, Guatemala

Versión en Español
Maya Expeditions has been exploring rivers and new trekking tourism possibilities for Guatemala since 1987. We have been seeking ways to promote sustanible tourism in the areas in which we work. One method we have found is through eco-tourism camps planned by involving the local communities so they can manage such camps and improved health care awareness and accessibility.

What is Area Verde?

With these projects and education seminars in mind we formed along with other concerned citizens of Guatemala the non-profit organization, Area Verde Foundation in 1993, by doing its first fundraiser in conjuction with the musician Henry Bie. The organization's purpose is to develop sustainable eco-tourism projects that involve the local communities along the rivers of Guatemala specifically along the Cahabon River in Alta Verapaz.

We have gained the confidence of the local people in such communities as Tamash, Lanquin and Taquinco, Alta Verapaz. The local community of Tamash has formed a cooperative and are willing to give their own land to the project. Now all we need is more financial support. At present the Area Verde Foundation's only source of revenue beside a few small fundraising projects, has been the $1.00 USD per day that Maya has been paying for each passenger who enjoys the adventures in Guatemala with Maya Expeditions, as well as any other funds Maya can give. As Maya Expeditions is a growing company the process has been slow and steady, however, we are now faced with a major crisis that needs your help.

Several published articles are explaining about the resettlement of the refugees of the 30 year civil war in Guatemala. The return of the refugees is a noticeable mark towards the peace process and is wanted by all. The fact of the reality is that the education of conservation and forest management is not part of the curriculum of the returning of the Keck'chi Indians into the Alta Verapaz region.

These families have had little education and their only form of providing for their families is the traditional slash and burn argriculture which is not suitable for the jungle environment. 1300 mouths signifies a substaintial track of land for the corns and beans required to feed them. The babies and growth that follows these 1300 people will escalate the problem requiring more land next year. We desperately need to hire someone to be in charge of the educational and substainable tourism projects NOW before it is too late.

What we need now...:

Our goal is to raise this $2,835.00 by the end of June, 1996 so we can start to help save the precious virgin forest that remains along the pristine Cahabon river and the other rivers of the Country which play such an important part in Guatemala's watershed and ultimately the World's.

Your donation made payable to the Area Verde Foundation can be a tax deductable donation after we have become fully registered. We can give out official receipts at that time. If you can't donate a monetary sum now, we can also use volunteers to help form the best way to reach these people in conservation matters.

Any amount will help no matter how small. We all have a right to have the forests remain for our children.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Tammy Ridenour, Maya Expeditions, MayaExp@guate.net.

Area Verde Foundation: Mario Mendizábal, President
Ramiro Tejada, Vice-President
Fax: (5022) 94-77-48, Tel (5022) 63-41-64
P.O. Box 527270 #66, Miami FL 33152

Thank you for your support.

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