GCN Celebrates Mayan Community Center Inauguration

New York, NY, June 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Minnesota-based nonprofit Global Citizens Network (GCN) recently celebrated the inauguration of the Mayan Center for Peace building in Cantel Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The center serves Cantel, a community of 35,000 inhabitants, 95% belonging to the K'iche' Mayan tradition.

Guatemala is a country that suffered a decades-long civil war. Although the civil war ended in 1996, Guatemala still struggles with discrimination, inequality, and violence. The building was constructed in partnership with NGO, La Asociacion Wajxaqib Aj (Mayan Center for Peace), whose goal is to fortify solidarity and peace among the communities through traditional Mayan weaving clinics for the youth. The center also serves as a gathering place for women’s literacy programs, joint business initiatives and other community meetings.

Linda Stuart, GCN Director, explained the excitement of completing this step of the project, “This experience represents the GCN philosophy to its finest – “We are one people, enriched by individual differences, united by the common bond of humanity.”. I still believe that in turning to one another for increased understanding, we can restore hope for the future.”

GCN is currently in dialogue with the community about next phases of the project, which will most likely include more looms and more materials to educate the Mayan youth and women’s cooperatives on traditional weaving practices.

GCN is a member of International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) and currently sends volunteers abroad to work with communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America. To find out how you can be involved in the Cantel project visit http://www.globalcitizens.org/where-we-go/mayan-people-cantel.

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