Mathilde Chevallier and Eddy Charreau were just passing through the village when they heard about Project Ix-canaan. They asked if they would be able to work for two days with the kids to teach them about Shadow Puppets.

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Janice Fleming, from Calgary, Alberta, has been volunteering for Project Ix-canaan for the last 2 months. Janice has been doing many different tasks while here in El Remate, but one of the most time consuming was the preparation of all the books in the library for loaning to the children. She made and affixed envelopes to the inside back covers of the books, entered each book into a database and then made library cards for each one.

Janice also decided to create a book of mostly photos of the activities of the library during her two months. The book will soon be online for general viewing.

THANKS, JANICE, for your time, your diligence, your creativity, your patience and your beautiful smile!!

When Marla Grossman of Calgary, Alberta, decided to work as a volunteer with Kindness in Action on their annual trip to Guatemala, she contacted me to ask what was most needed for Project Ix-canaan. She then went about filling the entire list!! Marla brought with her a huge selection of excellent Spanish literature, including the entire Harry Potter series!! She also brought several boxes of eye meds. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MARLA … your generosity will be appreciated by a whole generation of local children!!

(Jim Thurman & Margie Parker at Tikal, December 21st, 2010)

This year’s Unificacion Maya ceremonies were dedicated to Marjorie Parker, who, even though she was unable to attend for health reasons, sent a donation that enabled us to pay the costs associated with bringing in a group of tatas and nanas from all over Guatemala to facilitate the fire ceremonies.

Freckles, the jaguar baby who was a gift from Margie last year, held her place for her at the ceremonies … watching the fire from the altar of Chus …

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From December 15th to 21st, 2011, this incredible team of Tatas and Nanas led daily Sacred Fire Ceremonies at 7 Sacred Mayan Sites in Peten, Guatemala. From left to right: Tata Armando Cruz, Nana Feliciana Cortes, Tata Jose Soc, Nana Maria Luisa, Tata Pedro Caueche, Terry Rubin, Tata Pedro Cruz, Tata Chus Ixim Toj, Nana Marcelina Chen, Tata Marcelino Sacol, Nana Luisa Rothwell, a child of Uaxactun and in front, Tata Mariano.

One of the greatest changes I have seen in the local children since Margo and Alex have been running regular classes in the library, is in their desire to read. When we first opened the library, the children had absolutely no interest in the books and would never have thought to pick one up to read. Now, however, they are at the door when it opens in the afternoon to begin their daily reading session.

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Project Ix-canaan and all the participants in the Ix-canaan programs, wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and the best of the holiday season!!

BIG THANKS to Dra. Aracely Avendaño, the architect who is in charge of the construction of the very first MUSEO DE LA CULTURA MUNDO MAYA, now being built in TAYASAL, Peten, who contacted us to pass by her office in Flores, so she could present us with a new computer for the Ix-canaan Computer Center. It will be put right to use with the large classes of students who use the computer facilities.

The project is complete! Well, not quite complete, as the community will continue to tend and mend the tree as it is needed. The Women’s Group will be making more flowers to fill out the branches better … and the students of the N.U.F.E.D. School will teach future students how to make new flowers to replace any that are blown away or damaged.

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