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.

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.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. We have begun to furnish the library and collect our collection of books. With your support, our collection will grow! 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
Our scholarship programs supports the studies of students from more than 10 neighboring communities by paying their school fees and expenses. The scholarship recipients commit to maintaining passing or higher grades and to demonstrating leadership through 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.