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October 15, 2008
...The Community of Patzun
Project Guatemala is intended to help poor and under-resourced villages in and around the town of Patzun. Patzun has 49,000 inhabitants; with 20,000 in the main town and 29.000 in outlying villages. The town has a mainly Mayan population (95%) and the traditional customs, dress and language (kaqchiquel) of this culture remain strong. The women generally wear colorfully embroidered tops called Huipils and equally colorful, patterned dresses. A large proportion of the population are farmers and cultivate a wide variety of crops that includes the basic staple corn. The tortilla is made from corn flour and is the main source of nourishment for most people.
Despite living in difficult conditions, the people of Patzun have great pride and interest in their culture and community health. The Project Guatemala campaign will promote this outlook as the community will have an improved space for gatherings and exercise. Our project will heavily consult and involve the Patzun community in the project as this ensures a sense of local pride and collective ownership in the field developments.
