Maya Relief Foundation had its beginning on the 4th of July 2002. Its immediate goals were to serve the humanitarian and educational needs of the poor in Latin America. After several years of carrying out a broad range of projects, including many Mesoamerican archeological projects in Mexico and Guatemala, the decision was made to focus on helping the “living Maya”, whose guarded ancestry goes back many centuries. Half the population in Guatemala, 7 million people, is of indigenous Maya ancestry, but trapped in economic poverty. Maya Relief, as an operating non-profit foundation, became very focused. Utilizing its Guatemalan non-profit organization, Asociación Socorro Maya, a model for economic self-sustainability was created for poor Maya families. Office facilities were set up in the mountainous area of Alta Verapaz located in the northeast part of the country. This area was chosen because it is the poorest economic region and predominantly indigenous Maya.

Maya Relief’s self-sustainability model has six components. The first includes the installation of a highly efficient wood-burning stove. Since most Maya families use open cooking fires inside their homes, their health suffers greatly. The foundation was readily aware and concerned with the dire conditions confronting both the mothers and children in their homes. The open fires and accompanying smoke and toxins cause respiratory problems, terrible burns, eye irritations, rampant deforestation, and a huge cost to the family in time spent obtaining firewood for cooking. It became very clear that an efficient stove would improve all of those conditions. The very important change toward better health and self-sufficiency began right after the hour it took to install the mass-produced stove. The smoke was gone, the toxins were eliminated and the amount of firewood was reduced by 70%. Firewood represents about half the monthly expenses for a typical indigenous family. The efficient stove creates an immediate financial savings.

Clean water was the next challenge. It was found that almost half the firewood was being used to boil enough water for drinking. With the addition of a high quality water filter, families could substantially reduce the need for firewood and have more than enough water for daily use, as the filter provides 10 gallons daily of bacteria free water. This has encouraged families to drink more water, resulting in greater health. The families appreciate that the threat of constant dysentery or diarrhea from contaminated water has been eliminated.

Added to these three components, a family vegetable garden was introduced to provide a better variety in nutrition and the potential of selling cash crops. Subsequently, homes were organized to provide more efficiency and cleanliness. Pots and pans were hung on walls rather than leaving them on the dirt floors. Simple shelves were constructed in the cooking area. Sleeping areas were also divided so children and adults could have their separate spaces. These five components then were topped off with the training of community social workers, who teach health, hygiene and proper maintenance of the stoves and water filters. With these 6 components in place, the families are well on their way to self-sufficiency and much greater health and hope.

Socorro Maya has placed the 6 components of self-sufficiency into the homes of several thousand families in over 70 communities. An exciting corn enhancement program for families has now been in place for five years. Corn is the dominant staple for the indigenous Maya. Socorro Maya technicians carry out soil testing to insure the correct mix of fertilizer for their crops. The technicians provide instruction on better corn cultivation techniques as well as proper storage of the harvested corn. It is not a “give-away” program. Farmers pay full cost for the fertilizers through monthly installments. They are richly rewarded. Over the past four seasons, the typical farmer has achieved a corn yield 3- 4 times greater than using traditional methods. Besides providing adequate corn for his family, the farmer is capable of earning several hundred dollars for his excess corn. Over 600 families participated in the program in 2011.

A new program in conjunction with the Kirk Humanitarian Foundation was recently initiated. Kirk Humanitarian provides Socorro Maya with a year supply of pre-natal vitamins for 14,000 pregnant and nursing women. This project is targeted to eliminate birth defects and stunted growth caused by poor nutrition and to improve the mothers overall health. Distribution will take place over 12 months during 2012 in several regions of the country.

Maya Relief has created relationships with like-minded foundations where alliances are mutually beneficial. One example is a project carried out in 2011 with FUNSEPA, a local foundation that provides computers to primary schools. Microsoft donates appropriate software. Socorro Maya employees work side by side with community parents in preparing the rural schools to become “computer ready” with the proper infrastructure of electricity and secure facilities. The enthusiasm from the communities has been overwhelming. Most of these children still don’t read or write, yet quickly adapt to the world of technology.

Micro lending for sustainable small businesses has long been part of Maya Relief’s history. Shoe repairs, candle making, cinder block manufacturing and satellite communications are but a part of the businesses created through the power of micro financing.

History will continue to be made by Maya Relief in Guatemala. The list of new ways to help the indigenous Maya become self-reliant grows with each passing day. Fortunately, progress is happening.