Community Planning in Guatemala; Let the people speak up!

1. Community Planning in Guatemala; Let the people speak up! Licenciada Teresa Janet Wright, 2010-2012 Municipal Development Program

2. 3 Peace Corps Goals • 1. Provide technically skilled volunteers to assist with efforts in host countries. • 2. Increase understanding about Americans in host countries. • 3. Increase amongst Americans their understanding and awareness of other cultures.

3. Guatemala: Land of Eternal Spring Land area:108,890 sq km (approx Tennessee) Population: 13, 824,463 Languages: 24 total Spanish, 21 Mayan languages, Garifuna & Xinca Govt: 22 departments & 333 cities (municipios) Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, chicle, hydropower San Bartolo

4. Geography Natural & Manmade Threats Earthquakes Tropical Storms Deforestation Varied ecosystems 33 Volcanoes

5. San Bartolo Aguas Calientes • Mayor: Amarildo Chun Champet + 7 city councilmen • Population:17,000 total residents- (2,000 en el centro) • Average education level: 6th grade • Ethnicity: 100% Indigenous - Mayan K’iche’ • Elevation: 6,971 ft (2125 m.)/ Size: 16 sq km • 15 Villages (aldeas) & 60+ hamlets (parajes)

6. Centro

7. San Bartolo Aguas Calientes Primary occupations: agriculture & small commerce Main crops: corn, beans, potatoes, oranges Farming: pigs & chickens Physical features: 3 rivers, pine forests, hot springs

8. Amenities: Bañostermales • Main source of municipal income • Unbeatable price: 1 quetzal ($.15) • 5 Public baths • 1 swimming pool • Multiple private rooms • Micro (van) from center of town

9. Challenges to Citizen Involvement in Community Planning • Relatively new laws and planning practices • Machismo- exclusion of women • Weak governmental institutions & public distrust • Corruption/political parties • NGOs- culture of dependency

10. Strengths of the Community Strong social ties Safe community with little crime Presence of NGOs and institutions Source of municipal income: hot springs Religious leaders and community New city leaders Open to new ideas

11. Challenges Faced by the Community • Low education levels/ illiteracy • Poverty: inadequate housing and malnutrition • High birth rate • Deforestation • Lack of or difficult transportation • Environmental effects on health

12. Main Functions of Municipal Planning and Municipal Women’s offices • Encourage and support participatory planning in communities in order to identify and prioritize their needs • Compile demographic information • Develop and manage projects • Support and advise Community and Municipal Development Councils • Coordinate with NGOs and institutions

13. Peace Corps Municipal Development Program Goal 1: Improve management ability and strengthen the organizational capacity of municipalities through their Municipal Planning Office and Municipal Women’s Office Activities: • Work with counterpart to create an Annual Operating Plan • Promote social communication tools • Teach technical skills as necessary

14. Peace CorpsMunicipal Development Program • Goal 2: Empower and motivate community groups to actively participate in the identification, design, implementation and evaluation of community development projects or activities. Activities: • Train community leaders on project management • Design training programs for needs identification, team building, and leadership development • Organize community groups

15. Planning Laws Enacted in 2002 2002- Two important new laws General Law of Decentralization 14-2002 • Facilitate participation and oversight of public work projects Law of Urban and Rural Development Councils 11-2002 • Establishment of a system of development councils as the principal means of participation by all sectors of the population in planning

16. Hierarchy of Development Councils CONADE Regional Development Council COREDE Departmental Development Council CODEDE Municipal Development Council COMUDE Consejo Municipal de Desarrollo Community Development Council COCODE ConsejoComunitario de Desarrollo

17. Establishment of Municipal Women’s Office (OMM) Reform to the Municipal Code- 22-2010 The Municipal Council will establish a Municipal Women’s Office by December 2010 The OMM will be responsible for: • addressing women’s needs • forming community leadership • encouraging social, economic, and political participation

18. Women’s rights & education

19. Ideal vs Actual Planning • Obrasgrisesvs other projects • Projects seeking beneficiaries –ovejas, viviendas

21. My Work in Engaging Community Conduct community diagnostic assessments Organize women’s groups Coordinate with other institutions Grant-writing and seeking funds for projects Workshops and training Environmental Education Promote idea sharing

22. Community Assessments Aldea Tzanjon – 12 July2011

23. Applying Principals of Community Planning 1. Doing whatever is necessary to encourage participation

24. 2. Reaching people at their level Community Mapping in Aldea Tierra Blanca Community Mapping in AldeaChoconuleu

25. 3. Being inclusive Community Meeting Aldea Tzanjon Boys in ParajeChicorral Girls in AldeaParraxchaj

26. 4. Looking for Community Leaders & Ideas Community oven- Xeabaj

27. 5. Being Fair in Allocating Resources Daily Schedule of Men & Women AldeaParraxchaj

28. My current projects • Environmental education & emergency planning • Organizing & training women’s groups • School garden with eco-bricks (ecoladrillos) • Library improvement project

29. Current & Future Projects/Ideas Estufas mejoradas Tree Nursery (Choconuleu) Biodigestor Low Impact Development strategies

30. Follow my adventure… • Blog: janetwright2guatemala.wordpress.com • Email: janet2B@gmail.com

31. Learning k’iche’ • Xokaq’abwinaq= Buenasnoches a todos • Nub’ï’ Terës= Me llamo Teresa • Kinel pa tólmiq’inja’= Vivo en San Bartolo Aguas Calientes • K’ink’ikotik in k’o iwuk= Estoyfeliz de estaraquí con ustedes. • Utz’ wochalaq’?= ¿Cómoestánustedes? • Utzmaltiox= Muybien, gracias.