Proyecto COMPA is a program that brings contemporary films to rural communities in the department of Quetzaltenango that would not otherwise have access to them. This project is particularly focused on those communities that experienced violence during the armed conflict. COMPA arose from the realization that cinema, as contemporary art, facilitates the sharing of information about events and historical facts that can contribute to reflection and interpretation of our history and the contemporary life of our peoples. The films are responsable, educational, social and political.

On arriving in the community, PLQE members Carlos and Ronaldo install the equipment and, time permitting, chat with the kids or kick around the football for a while before starting the show. The first film is for children and adolescents under 15 and has always been great fun and very motivating. This is particularly the case when we've been able to play and talk to the kids beforehand about the subject matter of the films, such as peace, friendship, solidarity and companionship. Afterwards the kids always ask for another.

The second presentation is more serious, and includes films concerning historical, political, or social realities. Prior to showing a film Carlos and Ronaldo talk with the attendees about the themes and discuss the present reality of their situation. In the wake of a screening there is time left for reflection and commentary.

COMPA is sponsored by the PLQE with the help and solidarity of Austin Haeberle.

This project has two overarching goals: to conserve an area of pine forest half an hour outside of Quetzaltenango and to form a nursery to perpetuate the growth of pine trees in other locations. The Proyecto Reforestación is a collaboration between the PLQE and a group of young K'i'che Mayans who approached the school in mid-2000. They are actively campaigning among local schools and municipalities to spread awareness of the importance of forest conservation and reforestation in Guatemala.

The project began during the summer of 2000 when we were approached by a group of Maya K'i'che youths from Pachak near Cantel, a small village near Quetzaltenango. They explained their concerns about the accelerating rate of deforestation in Guatemala and in particular in the mountains surrounding Cantel. Guatemala is presently losing its forests at a rate twice that taking place in the Brazilian Amazon. In Guatemala this includes the jungles of Peten, which constitute one of the "lungs" of Central America and, indeed, the Western Hemisphere at large. The threats come from diverse sources, ranging from foreign petroleum companies clearing large swathes of land for exploration and drilling to the gradual but steady creep of subsistence maize farming up the hills of the highlands.

Since 1999 “Arte en el Campo,” a program through the Cultural Center, benefits the children of the villages near La Escuela de la Montaña. Every Saturday children from the surrounding communities study guitar, drawing and marimba. Classes are free and allow the children to express their creativity, a human right long suppressed under the military regimes of this country.

The Mountain School is proud to announce the construction of a new community library. The Mountain School Community Library will be an important resource for local people, especially children and youth, who want to continue their education beyond primary school. Once completed, children and community members will have access to books, a study area, and a computer lab. Having access to books and computers will be very important in the development of the youth and their studies. Construction is scheduled to start the summer of 2010. Once the library has been built, the next stage is to collect cabinets, tables, chairs, books and computer equipment. We are off to a great start but in order to complete this project, we need your support. To donate books, supplies, furniture, or funds please contact us Michele Seip through the Mountain School donation website at www.escuelamontana.org. Or if you are in Guatemala, contact PLQ.

Students have the opportunity to help out with daily activities such as caring for the vegetable and herb gardens and reading to the local children. Depending on the amount of time available, a student's fluency in Spanish and skill level, volunteer placements might be arranged in nearby communities.

Young Leaders Scholarship Program

The scholarship recipients commit to maintaining passing or higher grades and to demonstrating leadership by participation within their communities. Participation might include involvement with local youth groups, grassroots organizations, church youth groups or activities at the Escuela de la Montaña such as leadership training sessions or the Arte en el Campo courses in music and art.



Scholarship students are also required to participate in regular Youth Encounters held at the Escuela de la Montaña where speakers have covered topics such as children’s rights, the Peace Accords, HIV/AIDS, gender is-sues, alcohol and drug abuse and responding to gang activity. Our intention is to promote a sense of leadership and community responsibility among the youth, stressing their roles as future leaders in their communities and in Guatemala.
Download the Report for the School Year January – December 2005
Escuela de la Montaña in pdf or word