Staff Spotlight - Maya Tech Learning Centers, Inc

Maya Tech
February 2007 Newsletter
www.mayatechlc.org
Learning Centers, Inc.
The Computer Center Swan Tinamit, Centro de Computación
Swan Tinamit, located in Nahualá, Guatemala, was established
in 2004 through the mission of Maya Tech Learning Centers,
Inc. It is the community's first center that provides a combination
of technology services with computer and internet access, formal
and informal training, children's and youth activities, and
educational workshops for all ages. Scholarships are available
for those who cannot meet the nominal registration fees.
Instruction is given in Spanish, yet instructors speak K'iche' – the
town's Maya language. Services are resourced and maintained
by a local staff and board in Nahualá. The Center is a nongovernmental organization established under Guatemalan law.
Maya Tech Learning Centers, Inc. has facilitated the
development of this Center in an effort to provide even those in
poor, rural areas an equal chance at education beyond an
otherwise limited school curriculum. The Center has created an
ideal that dreams are attainable through study, educating
oneself, and uncovering available resources through technology.
Sooner or later,
all the people of the world
will have to discover a way to live
together in peace.
We must evolve for all human conflict,
a method which rejects revenge,
aggression, and retaliation. The
foundation of such a method is love.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Valentine's Day and Black History Month.
See our handmade mural
currently on display at
the Dayton International
Peace Museum. Maya
Tech voluteers made this
replica of a Guatemalan
“alfombra”- carpet for a
culture exhibit at
Dayton's International
Festival. It has been
donated to the museum.
Students enroll in classes at the
Computer Center according to the
Guatemalan academic year which runs
January through October. In 2006, after
classes closed for the year, the
community demand for more coursework
spawned an additional class session
during the holiday break in November and
December. In 2006, 91 students earned a
certificate in computer technology
accredited by the Guatemalan Ministry of
Education. Many of the students are
teachers themselves, others are students
of various age levels and career interests.
In their own words...
quotes from the Program Evaluation:
“I will apply the acquired knowledge
in my work.”
“I will pass on what I have learned to
others who need it.”
Dario Tum congratulates a student while
awarding a certificate at the graduation
ceremonies of the 2006 academic year.
Staff Spotlight
Alonzo Dario Tum
Computer Technician, Instructor
Dario Tum is the lead Computer Technician at the Centro de Computación
Swan Tinamit. He is also the lead Instructor and in charge of curriculum
development. He has earned a Bachillerato en Computación Con Orientación
Científica, a technical school degree in computer science from Colegio
Salesiano Liceo Guatemala in Quetzaltenango. He has additional studies in
computer technology at the University Mariano Galvez in Quetzaltenango as
well. Born and raised in Nahualá, he is knowledgeable of resources locally as
well as in the larger cities in Guatemala allowing for efficiency in resource
allocation, computer reparation, and technical services. He is bilingual in
K'iche'/Spanish and conversant in English.
Maya Tech
Learning Centers, Inc.
PROGRAM GOALS...
where we are now...
Computer Center – The Center is staffed by a
Program Manager, a Computer Technician and
Lab Monitors, providing computer use open to the
community at a minimal charge. Auxiliary
services such as photocopying, typing and
scanning of documents, digital photo capabilities,
and telephone service are available. This year,
computer repair and maintenance will be
extended to meet the personal and business
needs of the community. This is part of the
Center's plan to generate income and enhance its
goal of self-sustainability. The Center will become
an Internet Service provider to other agencies
and private clients as well.
Training Center – A formal curriculum of study is
offered for adults and youth. The Center achieved
accreditation by the Guatemalan Ministry of
Education. Courses are offered at various times
of the day and on weekends to accommodate a
range of school and work schedules. The Center
saw a surge of student enrollment after opening
the program and more computers were required
to keep up with the demand for knowledge.
Internet Café – The Center is available to the
community for use of computers and access to
the internet and email. Lab technicians are onhand to provide assistance as needed.
Homemade cups of jello proved to be a crowdpleaser, but demands on staff led to dropping the
refreshments as more people were interested in
working on the computers, learning software, and
obtaining guidance.
Youth Development –The Children's Education
project gained many donated books with topics
including language, religion, geography, science,
reference, storybooks and toddler books in
Spanish. MTLC Advisory Council Member Sherri
Shropshire has coordinated several Usbourne
Books fundraisers and former Peace Corps
Volunteer Josh Rosenthal donated children's
books and resources from a library project
created during his 2 year service in Nahualá.
Everyone loves a parade
Camilo Macario, pictured above, wears the traditional men's attire of his
hometown of Nahualá, Guatemala as he marches in the Dayton Children's Parade
this past November. As members of the Dayton International Festival, Inc., Maya
Tech members joined other DIFI members on the North Pole Float representing
countries from around the world in ethnic dress. The Macario children are seated
on the float as well in clothes made by their grandmother.
In Guatemala, staff and students (shown below) of the Computer Center Swan
Tinamit participated in the town's Independence Day Parade on September 15,
2006 with a decorated truck carrying Miss Swan Tinamit – a computer student.
MTLC kicks off 2007 with strategic planning
and inter-agency collaboration in Guatemala
Camilo Macario, MTLC president, traveled to Guatemala in
January to meet collaborators, provide staff guidance, and define a
strategic plan for the Centro de Computación Swan Tinamit.
Carrying 5 additional laptops donated by LexisNexis and the “guts”
of 3 donated desktops – hardrives and components stripped from
the cases for easier transport – he put stateside donations to use.
He also equipped the Center to provide internet access to its first
off-site client, a Sister at a local church. With prospects for more
clients to come, such as the local radio station and schools, the
Center charges a minimal fee to those who would never be able to
pay the high-end satellite fees. Augmenting income while providing
needed service is a path to the Center's plan for self-sufficiency.
During his visit, Camilo also helped implement a partnership
project between MTLC, New Development Solutions and the
SCOJO Foundation. The Computer Center Swan Tinamit hosted a
day-long event which featured free eye exams by trained volunteers
and low-cost availability of glasses. Staff and volunteers spread the
word to the greater community of Nahualá and provided translation
and service to approximately 170 people. As with Hurricane Stan
relief work, our mission in the greater good of the community was
realized through collaborative efforts.
Volunteer Grant Eilers (middle) of Centerville gives
time over the recent holiday break to help Camilo
Macario (left) and Advisory Council Member Scott
Ledyard complete testing for specific operations that
could benefit MTLC's mission at home and abroad.
Current events...
Maya Tech was recently featured in the Dayton Daily News at the following link:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/05/ddn020507mayatech.html
MTLC is currently accepting sponsorships and donations of raffle items from area businesses
for our Spring Event to be held April 27, 2007.
Clearing out your inventory? Have items to donate that would help promote your business?
Give us a call...937-654-0669.
Looking ahead...
nd
Don't miss MTLC's 2 Annual Fundraising Dinner “An Evening of Food, Culture and Fellowship”
Friday, April 27, 2007 starting at 7:00 p.m. at El Mesón Restaurant in West Carrollton.
Tickets $50 in advance only by calling Karen Macario 937-654-0669 or email karen.wm@mayatechlc.org
For the third year, MTLC represents Guatemala with a cultural display at the
Dayton International Festival “A World A'Fair,” May 18, 19, 20 at the Dayton Convention Center.
Guatemalan artisan products and coffee will be sold at the festival as a fundraiser for MTLC.
Reduced price, tickets available from MTLC. For details on the event go to www.aworldafair.org
For more on volunteer opportunities or tickets to either of the above events contact Karen Macario.
Current Funding Needs
MTLC seeks funding from private and corporate donors to
further its mission. All contributions are significant in enabling
the poor and under served to achieve education and
knowledge of the world through technology.
Due to the overwhelming response from community
members desiring simultaneous use of formal classrooms
and open computer lab services, The Computer Center Swan
Tinamit has just seen the expansion of a second level. This
will enable a larger capacity private classroom, while the
downstairs offices and computer lab are available to the
public. A children's library and reference/study section will
continue to be open to the public in the lower level.
Funding is needed for more computers, bookshelves and
furniture, additional scholarships, and teaching materials.
Checks can be made payable to Maya Tech Learning
Centers, Inc. and mailed to PO Box 139, Bellbrook, OH
45305. Donations are tax-deductible.
Contact us...
Maya Tech Learning Centers, Inc. was founded as a non-profit
corporation in the state of Ohio in 2004. It is classified by the IRS
as a 501(c)(3) organization. MTLC is governed by a voluntary local
Board of Directors and nationwide Advisory Council.
Board members: Camilo Macario, President; Brian Raison, Vice
President; Karen Wilk Macario, Secretary/Treasurer.
Advisory Council: Joanna Cross, Monica Grilliot, Scott Ledyard,
Jill Raison, Sherri Shropshire, Mark Wilk, Lucy Perez Wilk.
Board members are available for presentations, group discussions,
or cultural displays.
Please contact us at camilo.m@mayatechlc.org or
karen.wm@mayatechlc.org or by phone at 937-654-0669.
Learn more on our website:
www.mayatechlc.org