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.
Proyecto
Proyecto Reforestación de Cantel
After a brief hiatus, we are excited to be reinitiating our reforestation project. PLQ purchased a plot of
land in the mountains in an area called Chujaquiej, in the municipality of Zunil (just down the road from
Las Fuentes Georginas!). The land is called El Santuario Pinabete because it is forested by a pine tree
called “pinabete” (abies guatemalensis), a species that is only found in Guatemala and that is in danger of
extinction.
PLQ´s plan is to manage the pinabete forest on this land, build a greenhouse and cultivate pinabetes with
which to plant in other areas that have been deforested, and create an environmental education program.
We hope to work with local primary and secondary schools, as well as our Cultural Center, to develop an
environmental education program that will instill consciousness about the need to preserve our forest.
The program will have a classroom segment but will also include projects and work days at El Santuario
Pinebete.
PLQ believes this is an essential area in which to focus, as 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.