"It is not what is inside of you that matters but what you do with it that really counts."
Project 1Installation of Basic Cooking Oven
The first project started in April 2007, with the installation of a basic cooking stove into villagers' homes to replace their very basic traditional method of cooking which was a great health risk and used a great amount of fuel. To date 600 ovens have been successfully installed in homes and the change has been embraced by the locals. This project was completed in November of 2009 with all homes now possessing a stove.
This photo show both the traditional cooking method and the new oven.
Advantages: reduced lung problems, 70% reduction of wood required, 90% reduction in emissions, no more burnt children. Remember that in a country where very few people have access to
health insurance, this comes as a welcome relief. Anything that can make these people's lives easier and safer is the aim and this basic oven definitely does that.
A pleasant side-effect of the stoves project has been the ability for us to be welcomed into the houses of an otherwise wary people. We have been given the opportunity to perform censuses directly with the local community to assess potential future projects based on their most important needs and desires.
Project 2
Spanish classes for illiterate women.
We undertook spanish classes for women who did not know how to speak or write spanish as their local language is a Mayan dialect. We had 60 women in these classes.
Project 3.
Sterilisation of Dogs and Cats
With the help of a wonderful German woman named Barbara who has done a fantastic job in nearby San Pedro with dogs and cats, we have started a free sterilisation, immunization and innoculation of dogs and cats in San Pablo as of June 2007.
Project 4
Micro Loans for Women
The first micro loan was given in May
2007. A group or person may apply
for a micro loan which is around
A$250. They have to present a verbal
proposal for their project - the first
loan being a group of women who
bought beads and made jewellery.
Project 5
Computer School and Internet Cafe
In May of 2008 we opened a computer school and internet with 15 computers and with spaces for 180 students. This was an urgent requirement in the village and has made a huge difference to the level of computer literacy especially with the access to the internet and the resultant information worldwide.
Project 6 Organic Farm
In September of 2008 we started an organic farm and have 35 herbs growing. We have marketed a range of 10 tintures to the foreigners around the lake in order to raise some funds for the project.. The aim is to get these tinctures into San Pablo at a nominal rate by the end of the year and as such we are looking for
sponsorship for this project.
Project 7Clean Up San PabloIn early 2008 we worked with a local group to install 120 rubbish bins around the streets of the village and we paid for two workers full time for 2 years to clean up the streets, This has made a huge difference to a village that was filthy. Classes on sanitation are also being undertaken with a view to increasing the general hygiene level of the village. The mayor has now taken over the responsibility of paying these two men and has bought a large truck to collect the rubbish in the bins.
Project 8
Sewing and Beading Classes
Sewing, weaving and beading classes. 25 women have participated in free sewing classes and subsequently received a microloan to buy a machine. 17 of these ladies are now working in our sewing project.
Project 9.
Installation of a water filtration plant.
In October of 2008 we installed our first water filtration plant. 6000 litres per filter can be produced daily. Dysentry is the biggest killer in the village due to the unsanitary water. Parasites in the water are also a huge problem.
Opening day.
Project 10.
Hygiene and sanitation classes.
For a family to obtain a card to be able to buy the filtered water at a nominal cost, two membes of the family had to undergo 8 hours of classes on santitation and hygiene. This is one of our most successful projects to increase thte hygiene level in the village. 1200 women passed through this course over a 5 month period.
Project 11
Club for Elderly People.
This is an exciting new project that is open to very elderly people who live alone in the village. Most of these people have nothing and live at a subsistence level. The first meeting/party was held on 21 October 2008. They danced, played games and enjoyed an afternoon tea. This kind of activity is completely unknown in this part of the world and they were overjoyed at the attention they received. They will also take home 5 eggs each. This may sound ridiculous but in an community where there is no social welfare they are just amazed they would receive anything for free.
Project 12.Scholarships for teenagers.
As of October 2008 we have commenced a scholarship program for 20 teenagers, 15 - 19 years old. The students selected have very good grades and come from poverty stricken families. We are very eagar to increase the number of sponsorships and desperately need assistance financially with this project. The sponsorship of A$30.00 per month covers their registration and monthly fees and an allowance at the beginning of the year for schoolbooks. Payments are made monthly though our organisation which is privately financed. Should you require more information regarding this project, medicinal garden or wish to sponsor such a teenager, please contact Mahiya at
proyectoaazo@gmail.com. Our experience with past sponsorships is that the families are extremely grateful as this is an opportunity for one family member to be educated which, without financialy assistance is just not possible.
Shown here in the photo with Mahiya is Pedro who was sponsored by Mahiya and who is now working fulltime for Amigos de Australianos y Zealandeses Inc., doing wonderful work with the local community of San Pablo.
Project 13.
Installation of 10 toilets
A very kind Pastor from Canada, Pastor Jim raised funds from his church and Rotary to pay for these 10 toilets in a village where only 50% of the population have a toilet to use.
Project 14.
Sewing/beading projects to employ 17 women and raise funds for the projects.
We are working with 17 local women who were taught a skill and a number of whom we provided with a microloan, (all of which have repaid ) to produce products which can be sold. Not only does this provide much needed work in a village where there is no work available for women but all profits go back into running the existing projects ( computer school, water filtration plant, medicinal garden. ). We are also able to make special orders.
NOTE: the coloured fabric on these pieces is handwoven and all beadwork is done by hand. A huge variety of colours available.
001 Plasticbag holder $10
002 Toiletroll holder $27
003 Mobile phone holder with beaded strap $22
004 Evening bag with beaded strap $29
005 Bread basket $20
006 Glasses case with beaded strap $23
007 9" Computer bag with beaded strap $35
008 Bring a plate bag $29
009 Beaded coasters $5.50
010 Beaded bracelets $5.00
010 Beaded bookmarks $10
011 Beaded Christmas decorations $10
Project 15
Education program teaching children to say no to sexual abuse.
This program was put together by the Bangsar Soroptomist Club in Malaysia to whom we are very grateful for all their assistance. The pilot program has been sponsored by the Cockburn Rotary Club in Perth. This program teaching children how to protect themselves against sexual abuse is one we consider to be very important in a village where incest is common. Each child will take away a T-shirt printed with the 5 rules for personal protection, a box of colouring pencils, a pencil and a pencil sharpener. To date we have had 600 children pass through the course and hope to have taught 2000 by the end of 2010. We are also providing psychological help for the children that we have determined have been abused.. If you would like to sponsor a child through this program you can do so at a cost of A$4.50 each. Please contact Mahiya : proyectoaazi
@gmail.com Photos will be posted soon.
Project 16
Sale of Organically grown Sage Smudge Sticks.
We now have our white sage smudge sticks available for sale at a cost of $70 per set of 10. We are very proud to have grown both the American and Australian Salvia Apiana from seeds. These we are producing to raise funds for our projects. For more details contact Mahiya at :
proyectoaazi@gmail.com
