To support the educational and professional advancement of the Maya people and neighboring indigenous cultures in southern Mexico, Belize and Central America, and to sustain programs that foster study, preservation and understanding of those cultures.
DONATE BY MAIL OR PHONE:
If you prefer to donate by mail, please make check payable to Maya Educational Foundation and send to:
Maya Educational Foundation
P.O. Box 1483
Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA
Or call us at:
Tel. (508) 349-1330
MEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are U.S. tax-deductible.
The English Language Program has just completed the 8th year teaching a 2 week intensive English course in Antigua, Guatemala to Maya university students. This photography project was sponsored by a local church in Hanover, NH which funded the purchase of digital cameras. Students went out in small groups to take photos of the city, each other, architectural sites etc and then discussed these photographs in English class. Several of the students had never used a camera before; you can see the creativity and talent that was "unleashed". This is just one of the opportunities that students and volunteers share in this cross-cultural, cross-generational program. And, some English is learned as well!
Christine Eber's (MEF Board member)
most recent publication
We're pleased to announce the publication of The Journey of a Tzotzil-Maya Woman of Chiapas, Mexico, a book co-authored by Christine Eber and "Antonia," a Tzotzil-Maya woman from Chenalho, Chiapas.
Most recent books about Chiapas, Mexico, focus on political conflicts and the indigenous movement for human rights at the macro level. None has explored those conflicts and struggles in-depth through an individual woman's life story. The Journey of a Tzotzil-Maya Woman of Chiapas, Mexico now offers that perspective in one woman's own words. Anthropologist Christine Eber met "Antonia" in 1986 and has followed her life's journey ever since. In this book, they recount Antonia's life story and also reflect on challenges and rewards they have experienced in working together, offering insight into the role of friendship in anthropological research, as well as into the transnational movement of solidarity with the indigenous people of Chiapas that began with the Zapatista uprising.
"For those of you who did not get a chance to hear the radio interview where I talked about What War? Testimonies of Maya Survivors, you can hear it online at:
The show was cut off after 1/2 hour. There are 15 minutes more that are included here as well."
Laurie Levinger
ELP Jan. 2011
Volunteering in Chiapas
English Language Program in Antigua
by Susan Feinberg
For many years, as a former board member and office manager for Maya Educational Foundation, my participation in the English Language Program occurred stateside, providing administrative, logistical and moral support. I met many of the other teachers at various MEF functions and enjoyed the stories about their experiences. This year, I had the opportunity to participate as a volunteer.
I arrived in Guatemala with all the trepidations of first time volunteers, not sure what to expect, anxious about the routine, not sure what the students would be like, not sure if I would measure up as a teacher. The curriculum, developed by volunteers over the seven years of the program, had evolved into an organized and logical schedule, with the flexibility to allow for students at all different levels of English proficiency...
In Chiapas, we are very grateful to Steve Homer who is spending two months in San Cristóbal, volunteering his services for MEF. This is his seventh time! He is teaching English and computer skills, is in close contact with FOMMA and Sna Jtz’ibajom, visited with MEF grant recipient Radio Cultural in Tenejapa, and is checking up on all MEF programs in Mexico, including students in Chenalhó and the Chuj region. Steve has also taken the initiative and visited with some students who have received MEF support in the past.
Below are some links to his reports and awesome photographs:
News & Events
Most recent books about Chiapas, Mexico, focus on political conflicts and the indigenous movement for human rights at the macro level. None has explored those conflicts and struggles in-depth through an individual woman's life story. The Journey of a Tzotzil-Maya Woman of Chiapas, Mexico now offers that perspective in one woman's own words. Anthropologist Christine Eber met "Antonia" in 1986 and has followed her life's journey ever since. In this book, they recount Antonia's life story and also reflect on challenges and rewards they have experienced in working together, offering insight into the role of friendship in anthropological research, as well as into the transnational movement of solidarity with the indigenous people of Chiapas that began with the Zapatista uprising.
is in close contact with FOMMA and Sna Jtz’ibajom, visited with MEF grant recipient Radio Cultural in Tenejapa, and is checking up on all MEF programs in Mexico, including students in Chenalhó and the Chuj region. Steve has also taken the initiative and visited with some students who have received MEF support in the past.
