Location: Peten, Guatemala

Currently, spending the month of January in Peten, Guatemala.

How we got here:

Lisa (good friend and collaborator) and I met Lou, while at Canelo Project in September 2022. After a great month of bonding over natural building and plasters we were fast amigas. I had already planned on being in Mexico/ Guatemala to further Spanish learning. Therefore we decided to venture south for January and assist the project she was collaborating on with Balthazar & Emanuel, Sol y Verde.

What:

Sol y Verde, a restoration project in the Mayan biosphere, outside the small town of Paxcaman. The dream and work of Balthazar and Emanuel, a tenacious and father son duo. The project has been establishing roots for years, cultivating relationships with land an local communities. Just recently they were able to secure their own land to steward. The project has already planted hundreds of plants, trees and medicines. With the help of Lou, Valentina and Jasmine organizing, a school and community center will begin construction in February. (link below if you want to support that endeavor)

Were lucky to arrive when so much community building has been done. Every Sunday, is the womens group, Fronteras Entretejidas, around 2 o’clock women and kiddos trickled in from the pueblita. Women started to make their way around the kitchen. Everyone is at ease and smiling, happy to be together. Some set about gathering sticks to make a fire. Others look for various tools, cutting the bottoms of plastic bags to use for a flat surface for flattening the maize mix. Kiddos, sit at the table learning how to do printmaking from one of the volunteers. The air is a buzz with energy and connecting. This is what community looks like. Every Sunday has been like this.

Lisa and I had the opportunity to lead an activity for the kids, last Sunday. Using the Achote plant, the seed pods have beautiful brilliant orange seeds that can be crushed and made into paint. It is also used in many different applications such as cooking and natural food dye. Mixing the crushed seeds with water, we showed the kiddos how to make paint and then proceeded to creation.

This last Sunday, we made a natural plaster called basecoat ( a natural finish we learned at the Canelo Project). Showing the kids how to apply the mix is more fun than work. We spent most of the afternoon throwing handfuls of clay, sand & hay. We finished with a round of black beans and queso fresco tostadas and tamarindo juice.

We have been here now for about 2 weeks. It feels really amazing witness a project with so much heart. I really believe that to move forward we all must put our hands in the soil and get to work. Watching everyone here do it with such care and consideration the ecosystems here is inspirational to say the least.

Photos & work with the incomparable:

Kalin Steen of Nito Project along with Lisa Rooney, Lou Elena Bouey, Valentina Antollini & Jasmine Ward.