The Q’eqchi’ Association Xch’ool Ixim (Heart of Corn), in partnership with the @Fabretto Children’s Foundation, is implementing the Technical Skills – CaTec program at our secondary school, the K’amolb’e Maya Community Institute (IMaCK). This course offers comprehensive technical training that strengthens Maya youth skills in agriculture, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
We thank the @Fabretto Children’s Foundation for this extraordinary partnership that is helping our students become independent entrepreneurs and community leaders.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION: MANNA PACKS
Also, in collaboration with the @Fabretto Children’s Foundation, Xch’ool Ixim (Heart of Corn) is addressing a critical concern: nutritional deprivation.
In the Xch’ool Ixim evaluation surveys, our staff asked if students brought lunch to school. The data revealed that 90% of students do not bring any food. A student cannot learn, if they are starving. @Fabretto has stepped up and has become a valuable nutritional partner. They are providing cases of “Manna Packs,” a soy supplement, that we deliver to the schools in the remote Nimlajacoc villages. The offer to provide a nutritional supplement was a welcome resolution to a problem that we had not imagined.
With further @Fabretto support, our staff has participated in a Manna Pack demonstration at a local NGO, @FUNDEMI Talita Kumi. With this knowledge, they have taught the staff how to prepare the supplement for the students to aid in a healthy and balanced diet.
FOOD PRODUCTION: CORN PLANTING
As part of our partnership with @Fabretto, we have agreed to complement the Manna Pack meals with corn. However, there was not a sufficient supply of corn. For this reason, we are beginning a program that will promote the local production of corn. To do this we have identified six educational communities that have: (a) at least one manzana (approximately 0.7 hectares or 1.7 acres) of land for maize cultivation, (b) a minimum of three years of experience in maize production, (c) demonstrated genuine interest in working and collaborating in maize production, (d) accessible roads or transportation routes, and (e) proximity to natural water sources.
@Fabretto is generously providing seeds and other support so that we can teach communities how to grow and harvest corn. This corn will eventually be incorporated in recipes for the Manna Pack meals and it will benefit the students at the schools and those who will learn how to plant corn and acquire a vocational skill.