October 5, 2007 
Well, after much planning and plotting, the Women's Centre of El Remate was officially opened on October 4! It was a great, hot day, with lots of smiles and great food, cooked by the Asociación Mujeres IxCanaan. The financing was provided by The Ayudamos Foundation, Friends of IxCanaan (a local Calgary group headed by Dr. Bob Dickson), and The Wild Rose Foundation of Alberta.
The hard work was done by Anne Lossing and the women themselves. Anne, our partner (and former Calgarian) acted as Project Manager and administered the funds, kept careful financial records and oversaw the construction from the planning stage to the handing over of the keys last September. Without her, the project would have been impossible. Muchas gracias, Ana! The women broke ground, literally, with pick axes, planted trees and plants, cleared rocks, built fences and did what ever needed doing.
There were approximately 100 people in attendance to celebrate with the women, including the heads of other's women's groups around Lake Peten Itza. The women got the local Coca-Cola group to donate some beverages, a small tent and tables and chairs. The Camino Real Tikal (a local hotel) donated a large cake. The women cooked a local specialty Pollo Guisado which was muy delicioso!
After a couple of short speeches by, The Mayor's representative, Juana, the President of AMUIXCANAAN and me, Juana and I jointly cut the ribbon.
This has been a very positive step forward for an already hardworking group of women. They are unstoppable!
There were too many photos to post, so please view the web album by clicking here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ayudamos/GrandOpening
Well, after much planning and plotting, the Women's Centre of El Remate was officially opened on October 4! It was a great, hot day, with lots of smiles and great food, cooked by the Asociación Mujeres IxCanaan. The financing was provided by The Ayudamos Foundation, Friends of IxCanaan (a local Calgary group headed by Dr. Bob Dickson), and The Wild Rose Foundation of Alberta.
The hard work was done by Anne Lossing and the women themselves. Anne, our partner (and former Calgarian) acted as Project Manager and administered the funds, kept careful financial records and oversaw the construction from the planning stage to the handing over of the keys last September. Without her, the project would have been impossible. Muchas gracias, Ana! The women broke ground, literally, with pick axes, planted trees and plants, cleared rocks, built fences and did what ever needed doing.
There were approximately 100 people in attendance to celebrate with the women, including the heads of other's women's groups around Lake Peten Itza. The women got the local Coca-Cola group to donate some beverages, a small tent and tables and chairs. The Camino Real Tikal (a local hotel) donated a large cake. The women cooked a local specialty Pollo Guisado which was muy delicioso!
After a couple of short speeches by, The Mayor's representative, Juana, the President of AMUIXCANAAN and me, Juana and I jointly cut the ribbon.
This has been a very positive step forward for an already hardworking group of women. They are unstoppable!
There were too many photos to post, so please view the web album by clicking here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ayudamos/GrandOpening
