A local sponsorship program in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala!

Name: Javier Navichoc González
Function: Administrator of the Fundación Niños Tz’utujiles
Profession: Teacher
Age: 32
I would like to tell you the story of our project:
We started the project based on our ideas in January 2003. We created “2 Hombres de San Pedro” with enthusiasm but without money. Our basic plan was to raise money by dedicating our weekends to taking tourists on local excursions. Little by little we were able to obtain money exclusively for the project. Today we rely on minimal economic resources, just enough to help four families and to maintain the project. Therefore we depend on help from the outside to keep the project running and to improve our services.




Name: José Agapito Cortez González
Function: Committee member
Profession: Spanish Language teacher, actor.
Age: 25
I studied tourism for two years and Economics for another two years. I started Flor Del Maiz Spanish School with Javier in 2005, teaching and directing the reforestation project there. I wanted to be part of this project because I think that education is the source of our community’s development.

Name: Rai Marti
Function: Committee member
Profession: Student of Geography
Age: 25
I have studied Human Geography and Politics in Switzerland since 2003. Among the several places that I have visited around the globe, I traveled to San Pedro la Laguna in 2002. Charmed by the hospitality and the kindness shown to me during my first stay, I returned again in the summers of 2003 and 2005 to give something of this cordiality back and to express my gratitude by dedicating my time for the project.

The Mayan culture was without a doubt one of the most advanced cultures of all times. For several reasons the Tzutujils have lost much of their knowledge and capability in the scientific areas of mathematics, physics, medicine and architecture, as well as in spiritual areas. But I am sure that many children in this town will be able to achieve a great future if they could only receive some economic support.

Name: Tanja Niggel

Function: Committee member

Profession: Teacher

Age: 29

I am a German teacher actually working in a German School in Santiago de Chile. I came to San Pedro last year in order to learn Spanish. Here I got to know Javier and he told me about his ideas and the project. After having had many opportunities to talk to him, I certainly got the impression that it is an interesting project that is worth my support.


Name: Harald Seemann
Function: Committee member
Profession: Student of European Business
Age: 23

I am a German business student and have been backpacking through more than 8 development countries. I have volunteered in Casa Guatemala/Rio Dulce, but also various projects in Laos and Vietnam. I support the method of helping directly where the people need support instead of donating money to huge organizations like UNESCO or SOS Kinderdoerfer. Sure, they also have sustainable projects, but they already get enough attention. In Germany there are TV shows with celebrities dedicated to them. Furthermore, a huge amount of the donations is used for administrative purposes only. In small projects like this, we can move things and see the positive impact with our own eyes. Education is the only way out of corruption, poverty and crime to lead an independent and happy life. Especially Guatemala is in a difficult situation right now, so if you can afford it, please think about a sponsorship program!