Sunday Evening Presentation by AMA

Sunday evening several Mayan women and their translator came and talked to us about their current situation and why this project is so important to them.

Association of Women (Mujeres) of the Highlands (Altiplano) (AMA) is a religious group that fosters self esteem, civic participation, health and education for women.  They use small women's circles to empower Mayan women and is based on the UMW model.  Ama is the verb to love in Spanish...the act of loving.

The primary goal of AMA and Map is to foster agency, the ability to change one's own life.

A Mayan Arts Program (MAP) has been developed to give: 

• children an outlet for self expression (school depends on rote memorization writing )
  
• change teachers views on education and promote non-violent teaching methods
  
• develop pride in the Mayan culture
  

The MAP program's goals are to:

• Develop respect for the environment
  
• promote the Mayan Culture
  
• promote equality both gender and race
  
• enhance civic participation by the Mayan people
  

In addition AMA helps women market products they produce to enhance their lives.