The 2007 Project Victoria Midyear Report

1. Another student graduates-- Congratulations to Victor Manuel de León!
2. Audited Year-End Financial Report for 2006
3. Several PV students move on
4. New student Catarina Lopez Guarchaj narrates her community's experience of Hurricane Stan
5. Student Isabel Guarchaj's report on ongoing reproductive health workshops
6. Work continues at 'Ixoq Kalanik' Birth Clinic for Indigenous Women, run by PV student Isabel Guarchaj
7. Contribute through United Way
8. Welcome to our new students! A list of current scholarships recipients for 2007.

*******************************************************************
1. Victor Manuel de León

All of us involved with Project Victoria salute our second graduate, Victor Manuel de León.

Victor has been a Project Victoria student since the scholarship program was established in late 2004.

Click on Victor's picture below to read the letter he wrote in 2004 to apply for his Project Victoria scholarship.

************************************************************************

2. Audited Year-End Financial Report for 2006

Click on the image to the left for a larger version of the original audited report, in Spanish, from our accountant in Guatemala, Brenda Carolina de Leon.

Balance of Funds as of 1/01/2006: $14,529.58

List of Expenditures:

Balance of Funds as of 1/01/2007: $7,111.80

************************************************************************

3. Original PV students Petronila and Felicia move on

Last year, original Project Victoria student Gloria Lopez graduated from high school. Recently, two of our other original students, Petronila and Felicia, have moved on after completing two years studying with the support of Project Victoria.

Paulina Quisquina, an 18-year-old who learned to write her first words on paper after beginning studies through a PV scholarhip, has also left the program. Roland Elf wrote about Paulina, "Now she suddenly is married, not exactly her wish but through an agreement between her grandparents and the parents of a man."

We wish the best to these students and appreciate the great efforts they made as PV students.

Pictured are former student Petronila with Marielos and Ciomara of the PV Board of Directors

************************************************************************

4. New student Catarina Lopez Guarchaj narrates her community's experience of Hurricane Stan

Catarina Lopez Guarchaj is a new student from the village Chuicutama in Santa Catarina Ixtahucan, Solola. She is studying at Instituto Paraiso Maya, in Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan (the name of this place in the K'iche' language is Chuipatan). Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan is at a high altitude, so the sun burns hard, and it can also be a very cold place in the afternoon, night and in the morning. Women protect their heads with a textile called Tzut in their language.

Catarina wrote a description of what happened when her village was destroyed by landslides during the Hurricane Stan in October 2005, afterwhich she and other survivors left the village to find another place. Her village was one of three villages visited shortly after the hurricane by PV volunteer Roland Elf and student Isabel Guarchaj, who brought food, water, and survival supplies.

One thing is for sure Catarina Lopez Guarchaj has a great will to study that is one of the reasons why I have been struggling for her.

-from Roland Elf, Project Victoria board member

Click on the image below to see a larger version of Catarina's letter in Spanish. An English translation appears to the left of Catarina's letter:

"Please do me the favor of supporting me this year, becuase we no longer have my father to support my studies. Because of the economic situation, I could not continue studying without your help. Many people are suffering because of the economy. My mother and siblings do not have the possibility to support me in my studies, and for that reason I ask for support from you.

'Story:

'The community of Caserio Nueva Chuicutonio, of the Municipality of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, was founded in October 2005 during the time of Hurricane Stan.

'The community had previously been named Caserio Chuicatama, but in 2005, Hurricane Stan severely impacted the community. At that time, the Committee of Community Leaders went to visit their relatives to see how they were faring.

'At the same time, meetings were held to provide for the rescue of children and elderly people. Every one of the families was left with a great sadness because they were affected by the destruction of homes and the loss of crops and domesticated animals. Then, in many meetings, the decision was made for the community to move to a new place. The first steps were taken to address this with the Municipality. Then the moment to leave arrived, and the small amount of food and the animals that were left were carried by the people, including the children, to the new site. The children had never been to the new site before.

'The walked for an entire day until they reached the decided place, called Chiquix. Then they spent day and night outside on the ground (without food or housing), without beds or blankets or other important things for us. We were on the ground, with very little clothing to cover ourselves. Then some organizations came to give us some support, food, and materials to build shelters."

-Catarina Lopez Guarchaj

***********************************************************************

5. Student Isabel Guarchaj's report on ongoing reproductive health workshops

Translation:

For: C Christopher

From: Isabel Guarchaj Carrillo. I am one of the Project Victoria scholarship students.

I want to write about the subjects we considered. It is very important for us to learn more and more. Now we know what sexual reproductive health is, and we know the difference between a woman and a man, and we know that AIDS has no cure. We also know where cancer comes from. These were the topics of our first workshop.

The second workshop dealt with sexually transmitted infections: the infections that can be transmitted through sexual relations. We now know that 85% (of those infected?) are young, and we also know that having HIV is not the same as having AIDS. The period before HIV leads to AIDS depends on how strong a person's defenses are. We also know where HIV is found: in blood, semen, gential fluids, and breast milk.

The third topic dealt with teenage pregnancy. We discussed why pregnancies occur at that age, and we now know that there are many causes. We know the signs, symptoms, and risks of pregnancy, as well as the risks to a newborn baby. An adolescent girl is not psychologically, physically, or socially prepared to have a baby.

This is what I learned from the workshops. On behalf of all the other scholarship students, I thank all those who work on and contribute to Project Victoria for the support that they are giving us. We hope that in 2007 there will be more workshops and more education for young people. We also wish you all a belated Merry Christmas. Even though this Christmas greeting is late, better late than never.

Sincerely,

Isabel Guarchaj Carrillo

***********************************************************************

6. Work continues at 'Ixoq Kalanik' Birth Clinic for Indigenous Women, run by PV student Isabel Guarchaj. See more photos of the clinic here.

The Ixoq Kalanik clinic was officially inaugurated on 27th of April 2007. The activities in the center are: attention at the birth, assistance after birth, family planning and education, and prenatal check-ups. This work is being done in the community of Chirijox, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, department of Sololá.

Included in this project are the Comadronas (the traditional Mayan medicine women, known in the Mayan language k'iche' as Ajkun) from Chirjox and other communities in the area. All pregnant women and other people are welcome to visit the birth center. All personnel speak the Mayan language k'iche', as many women of these villages do not speak Spanish.

There does not exist another health-care alternative in this municipality for pregnant women. The nearest hospitals are in the cities that are far away. Also, there is an ongoing road project on the Pan-American highway which is expected to be finished in three years. This means that there many road blocks that make it difficulty for the pregnant women to have access to the hospitals that are far away. Having access to this small center can save many lives. The treatments and attention for the patients who are poor is free.

In this center it is allowed for family members to stay as long as they want with the pregnant woman, something which is not possible in the hospitals in the cities. This is very good for the women.

Contact Roland Elf if you are interested in knowing more about the Ixoq Kalanik clinic.

***********************************************************************

7. Contribute through United Way

Many businesses are about to embark on annual fundraising campaigns through the United Way. Contributions to Project Victoria (which functions as a Fund within the 501(c)3 Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation) can be made through the United Way—just include the address and phone number below on the contribution form you receive at work. As always, you can write a check to the Project Victoria Fund and send it to the address below at any time, but contributing through United Way may be a nice way to participate in your office’s fund drive. Please contact christopherjcurran@yahoo.com with any questions, and spread the word to your co-workers about Project Victoria!

Project Victoria Fund
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
200 1st St. SW
Cedar Rapids IA 52404
319-366-2862

***********************************************************************

8. Welcome to our new students!

Now that Gloria, Petronila, and Felicia, the original students who received residential scholarhips to live at Casa Victoria, have moved on, the house is currently occupied by students Virginia, Elizabeth, Fausitna, and Rosa. Roland Elf writes:

"All four study to be bilingual teachers. They already know each other and all four say they need calm while doing their studies; all four are studying hard. Rosa said that this will also benefit her when she needs to ask about something about her homework."

Profiles of some of our new students:

Aura Virginia Sulugüi Talé
Town: Coxom Argueta.
Municipality: Sololá
Departament: Sololá.
Studies: High school
From a family with 10 children. Her mother Ana works at home, and her father, José Hilario Sulugüi Tax, is a farmer who broke his foot this year.

Juana Maria Menchu Yax.
Town: Pasajoc.
Municipality: Totonicapán.
Departament: Totonicapán.
Studies: Primary school.
Her mother, Jesus Santa Yax Tax, is a single mother with four children. Her husband left her, and she washes clothes for a living now.

Faustina Maria Canastuj Tumax
Community: Aldea Barraneche.
Municipality and department: Totonicapan.
Studies: Elementary bilingual education
Grade: Four
Escuela normal Bilingue Intercultural in Quetzaltenango

Rosa Coxaj Baten: "I am Rosa Coxaj Baten, single and 34 years of age, of the municipality of Momostenango, department of Totonicapán. I am a final year student of the school ENBI Bilingual teacher. I want to share that for some years I am struggling with my studies through my own recourses. I don’t have a father and live with my mother and elder brother who are responsible to maintain us. They do not have the capacity to cover the costs. I am studying for my last year and the costs are huge to complete my studies, especially the practical training. When I see all these costs I feel desperate and I am thinking that I can’t finish my studies. For this reason I apply for help that someone can assist me so that I can complete this last year’s study. I am very thankful for your economic help. Sincerely, Rosa Coxaj Baten."

Letter from Antonia Roberta Aju Cuc

The original letter in Spanish is pictured at right. Click on the photo for a larger version.

Xolcaja, Nahuala, Solola.
July 6, 2007

Dear sponsor:

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I send you a warm greeting, hoping that your health is good and that your daily work is going well. It’s a pleasure for me to be able to write this letter and have communication with you.

The reason for me letter is to tell you all about what I am doing:

On Thursday, May 31, 2007, I was chosen to carry out an educational internship. On Monday, June 4, I went to my first day as an intern at the school. I am teaching a group of thirty-six 5th grade students. The director of the school is also a teacher. The school is 35 minutes from my house by foot. I leave home at 6:40 AM and return to my home at night at 7:15 PM. When I go out at midday with the children, I go to the Institute where I am studying. On Saturdays and Sundays I stay at home. During these two days, I meet with others to do Seminary work. This year, we are taking a Seminary course that takes up a great deal of time. It is necessary for us to do a project, and my friends and I have chosen “Malnutrition” as our project. We are going to plant gardens on July 7th in a village in Nahuala that is called Xeraxon. The food grown in these gardens will be divided among the people of Xeraxon, and we are also going to give a talk to all these people. We will also carry out a survey in the village of Xeraxon.

The help I am receiving from you is a great help to me, and I thank you very much. I hope that God guides you in all your daily tasks.

I end this letter and hope that God will be with you during all the days until my next opportunity to write.

Sincerely,

Antonio Roberta Aju Cuc

**************************************

List of Project Victoria Students during 2007

1. Wilson Enrique Panjoj Chópen
Level in school: Primaria
Home community: Churunel Central, Sololá.

2. Dominga Chopén Churunel
Level in school: Diversificado
Home community: Pujujil II, Sololá

3. Antonia Roberta Ajú Cuc
Level in school: Magisterio
Home community: Xolcajà. Nahuala. Sololá

4. Brenda Lizbeth Poz Ventura.
Level in school: Primaria
Home community: Urbina Cantel Quetzaltenango

5. Sebastián Giovanni Ajtun Tun
Level in school: Diversificado
Home community: El Rancho, Los Cipreses, Momostenango, Totonicapán.

6. Catarina López Guarchaj
Level in school: Magisterio
Home community: Chuicutama, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Sololá.

7. Ángel Acabal Baten
Level in school: 1º básico Tzujil.
Home community: San Pedro Jocopilas, Quiché

8. Marlon Javier Pú Coy
Level in school: Diversificado
Home community: Totonicapán.

9. Vinamarby García Ordóñez
Level in school: Diversificado La unión cuatro pueblos
Home community: Ixcán, El Quiché.

10. Ana Lucia Mendoza Calmo
Level in school: Básico
Home community: Todos Santos, Huehuetenango

11. Rigoberto Pablo Cruz
Level in school: Univeristy of Todos Santos.
Home community: Sololá, Huehuetenango.

12. Aura Virginia Sulugüi Talé
Level in school: Magisterio
Home community: Coxom Argueta, Sololá

13. Juana Elizabeth Sulugüi Talé
Level in school: Magisterio
Home community: Coxom Argueta, Sololá

14. Maria Angélica Sacalxot Salanic
Level in school: Primaria
Home community: Cantel, Quetzaltenango

15. Maria Celestina Tambriz Tzep
Level in school: Primaria
Home community: Nahuala, Sololá.

16. Isabel Roblero del Cid
Level in school: 5th year in Public Accounting
Home community: Guatemala City

17. Faustina Maria Canastuj Tumax
Level in school: Magisterio
Home community: Barranechè, Totonicapán

18. Baudilia Soledad Puac Salanic
Level in school: Diversificado
Home community: Cantel, Quetzaltenango

19. Sandy Fabiola Orellana Díaz
Level in school: Diversificado
Home community: San Mateo, Quetzaltenango

20. Jania Cristina Sic
Level in school: 1º básico
Home community: Totonicapán

21. Alonzo Guarchaj Guachiac
Level in school: 5º Magisterio
Home community: Xeabaj Dos, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Sololá

22. Ciria Mareni López Gutiérrez
3º básico
Home community: La Esperanza, Quetzaltenango

23. Dina Rubali Ochoa Escobar
Level in school: 4º magisterio
Home community: La Esperanza, Quetzaltenango

24. William Moisés Pérez
Level in school: 4º magisterio
Home community: San Mateo, Quetzaltenango

25. Iván Gonzalo López Arana
Level in school: Primaria
Home community: Momostenango, Totonicapán

26. Rosa Coxaj Baten
Level in school: Final year to become a bilingual teacher at ENBI School
Home community: Momostenango, Totonicapan

THANK YOU to all donors whose contributions who have made possible our success so far, and who continue to support Project Victoria.

 Tax-deductible contributions to Project Victoria may be made to:

Project Victoria Fund
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
200 1st St. SW
Cedar Rapids IA 52404
319-366-2862