Dining for Women: Guatemala Cloud Forest
January 18th – 25th, 2020

Join Dining for Women in the beautiful central highlands of Guatemala for a week of learning and volunteering with DFW grantee Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC).

Come and immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Q’eqchi’ Maya who live deep in the cloud forest. Learn about the way of life for Q’eqchi’ women and girls and how CCFC supports their growth and development through their Women and Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC) program.

CCFC alleviates poverty and protects forests in Guatemala through education, reforestation, sustainable development, leadership training, and ecological improvements to agriculture. CCFC believes that education, especially for young women, is key to building peace in this region. The goal of the WALC program is to equip local young women for productive, healthy and happy lives as well as to enable them to be agents of positive change in their families, communities, and villages.

Dining for Women supported CCFC’s WALC program with a Featured Grant in 2015, and is now expanding its support with a Sustained Grant of $75,000 over the three-year period of 2019-21.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience life in the cloud forest of Guatemala, learn about the ancient Mayan culture, and be inspired by the people who are working to support the growth and development of young Maya women.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Experience firsthand the activities of the Women and Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC) program funded by your DFW donations
• Learn alongside WALC students about gardening, nursery management, and reforestation
• Help teach local children through the CCFC Kids and Birds program
• Participate in Q’eqchi’ Mayan traditions and hike to the Maya ceremonial sites inside caves
• Visit a local school as well as some of the students’ homes
• Learn how to roast coffee and make chocolate (and taste them as well!)

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Saturday, January 18

Arrive in Guatemala City at La Aurora International Airport. Travelers who arrive early will have a chance to visit the Guatemala Anthropology and Archaeology museum as well as enjoy lunch together. Those arriving later in the day will receive a special boxed lunch to eat on the way to CCFC’s Agroecology Center, about a 5 hour drive.

Once everyone is settled at the Agroecology Center Lodge, the group will gather for a welcome dinner and overview of the week’s activities.

           

Overnight at CCFC’s Agroecology Center

DAY 2: Sunday, January 19

Spend the morning learning about CCFC’s work, in particular, the Women and Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC) program that DFW supports. Tour the center where you will be living for the next week and meet the staff and students you will be working with.

In the afternoon, the group will visit nearby Cobán to see a mural depicting the region’s history with an overview and discussion of the local community and traditions. The group will also visit Vivero Verapaz Orchid Garden before returning to CCFC.

Dinner and overnight at CCFC’s Agroecology Center

DAYS 3 – 5: Monday, January 20 – Wednesday, January 22

Over the next 3 days, travelers will have the opportunity to learn and volunteer with the various activities of the WALC program. Opportunities could include:

• Learning alongside the students about gardening, nursery management, reforestation, agroforestry, harvesting and value-added processing of crops, and the making of jams, jellies, and preserves.
• Touring a coffee plantation, participating in coffee roasting and tasting, cacao roasting and chocolate making, and bayberry candle making.
• Exploring the natural history of the cloud forest and hiking to the Maya ceremonial sites in the caves.
• Learning about Q’eqchi’ Mayan traditions such as cooking and baking with Q’eqchi’ heirloom crops, Q’eqchi’ weaving and pottery making.
• Joining the WALC interns in teaching the CCFC Kids and Birds programs

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at CCFC’s Agroecology Center each day

DAY 6: Thursday, January 23

After an early breakfast, the group will transfer to a local village to visit a school where the students’ mothers will join them for the day. Learn alongside the mothers as WALC Interns lead activities at the school: practical, lifesaving health, hygiene, nutrition, and first aid lessons as well as the planting of an agroforest school garden complete with fruit trees and heirloom crops.

Enjoy a special lunch of the typical festival dishes from the region.

Dinner and overnight at CCFC’s Agroecology Center

DAY 7: Friday, January 24

Today, the group will travel back to the village to visit some of the students in their homes. See how the local Q’eqchi’ people live, share a meal with them, and learn about their ancient traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gather at the Agroecology Center for your last dinner together.

Overnight at CCFC’s Agroecology Center

DAY 8: Saturday, January 25

Say farewell to the new friends you’ve made and transfer back to Guatemala City for your international departures from La Aurora International Airport.