“The more I understand the difference between social development and charity, the more impressed I am with how Horizons works in the region”.
(testimony from 2010 delegate to Costa Rica and Panama)
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
What is an Educational Tour?
An Educational Tour is a unique opportunity to travel and learn about the culture, history, and social context of a developing country. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who want to go beyond traditional tourism, and learn about community development and social justice.
The next Horizons Educational Tour is planned for February 2011 and will travel throughout Guatemala and meet directly with Horizons partners to learn about the work that they are doing in their communities, and with other social justice organizations. The trip also includes visits to important historical and cultural sites.
Who are the tours open to?
The tours are open to anyone and everyone interested in learning more about international development, social justice, community development and the work of Horizons of Friendship and our partners.
When and where is the next tour?
The next tour will travel to Guatemala and the dates have been tentatively set for February 6 – 15, 2011.
Horizons in Guatemala
Horizons is currently supporting four partner organizations in Guatemala:
1. Guatemalan Intercultural Highlands Association / Asociación Mixta Intercultural de Guatemaltecos del Altiplano y Suroccidente (AMIGAS)
AMIGAS was founded in 2003 to promote the participation of men and women, particularly in the rural area, through development projects directed at women and the family.
AMIGAS specific objectives are: a) To improve women’s reproductive and child health and reduce the incidence of illness and death associated with birth and infant development; b) To strengthen women’s and men’s capacity in planning and decision-making for their organizational work; c) To strengthen the capacity of men and women to undertake productive projects to improve levels of income and family economies and d) To create a space for training and organization in local development.
2. Centre for Indigenous Studies and Education / Centro de Estudios y Educación Indígena (CEEI)
This organization was founded in 1987 by Indigenous leaders from different organizations and academics who shared a concern for furthering an understanding of the ethnic exclusion of Guatemalan Indigenous populations.
CEEI has two principal areas of work: a) leadership training for Indigenous youth, women and men to build capacity for planning, proposal preparation and project implementation, and b) organizational consolidation which includes a credit program, formal education and community eco-tourism.
Capacity building of local Indigenous authorities is key to the development work carried out. Training is directed at strengthening community development councils (COCODES) and municipal development councils (COMUDES), the formal structures for participation at the community level.
3. Santa Maria Linguistic Project /Proyecto Lingüístico Santa María S.C. (PLSM)
PLSM was founded in 1991 in the city of Quetzaltenango in response to growing concerns about the erosion of Mayan culture. The organization sees the recovery and strengthening of Mayan languages, in particular K’iche, as part of the historic struggle of Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples. Its mission centres on the promotion of organization, policy advocacy, and collaboration with the education community to develop innovative educational and cultural programs that are regional in nature and recognize the importance of human development, ecology, and traditional values.
Mayan school children from Quetzaltenango playing during recess
4. Association for Health, Promotion, Research and Education – PIES de Occidente
PIES de Occidente is a non-profit organization founded in 1994. With a distinct local character, the organization focuses on environmental and maternal-infant health in Indigenous communities in the departments of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapan, Guatemala. PIES de Occidente promotes the sustainability of community health through a series of actions aimed at health promotion, research, education and training. The organization uses methodologies that facilitate engagement and ownership by the participating communities within a framework that is socially and culturally adapted to the local Indigenous realities.
This tour will also visit Horizons’ Learning Network Partner, Kabawil Peasant Farmers’ Council/Consejo Campesino Kabawil(Kabawil)
Kabawil emerged from an informal grouping of farmers’ organizations which worked together on the theme of land reform. After holding its first assembly in August of 1993 and electing its first board of directors, Kabawil began its mission of obtaining land for its member communities. The focus on land issues is seen as central to Kabawil’s broader mandate of rebuilding the Mayan culture and identity, promoting the rights of women, increasing participation in local and national political processes, enhancing community empowerment, improving access to education and training and seeking fair wages and working conditions for the rural population.
How much does the tour cost and what is included in the price?
This tour will cost approximately $3000 Canadian (to be confirmed by October 2010).
This covers cancellation/interruption insurance and the following:
¨ Round-trip airfare from Toronto
¨ All ground transportation in-country
¨ All accommodation and meals
¨ Translation
¨ Briefings on the country’s political and
economic situations
¨ Meetings and activities with community members.
¨ Visits to cultural and historical sites
(Please note that travel health insurance is not included in the cost)
Is it safe to travel in the region?
While it is necessary to take precautions while traveling in the region, the places we will be visiting are generally safe. We only travel by private bus with a licensed driver and book accommodation in safe neighbourhoods.
Who should I contact for more information?
You can contact Linda Robertson, Administrative Assistant at:
905-372-5483 ext.10 or 1-888-729-9928
E-mail: info@horizons.ca
What if I don’t speak Spanish?
We always travel with staff members who speak the language. As well, we hire an in-country translator for community visits and meetings with our partner organizations.
Is the cost of the tour tax-deductible?
No tax receipts can be issued for any of the cost of the tour.
Should we bring donations for the communities we will be visiting?
If you would like to gather/bring donations, such as school supplies, please feel free to do so, but please coordinate with Horizons. We ask that individuals do not distribute any donations individually within the communities. To avoid the conflicts that this might cause, Horizons will collect together all donations and divide them among our partner organizations who will then distribute the donations as they see fit.
What are the expectations upon returning to Canada?
We hope that the Educational Tour will inspire you to share what you’ve learned with friends, family, and your community, either through casual conversation or formal presentations. As well, these tours have, in the past, inspired participants to take action on certain issues, such as writing letters to their MPs.
What if I have more questions?
An orientation session is held about a month before the tour for all participants. If you are unable to attend the meeting, the orientation package will be mailed to you. If you still have questions, please contact the Administrative Assistant
