GUILE. BEGUILE. GUATEMALA (By Lennox)

    THREE MONTHS AND SIXTEEN DAYS, FOURTEEN WEEKS BEATS, CREEKS, JEEPS, DEETS, SUCCESS, DEFEAT, ANCESTRAL VOCALS FROM LOCALS OLD-SCHOOL MOGULS STUDIOUS STUDENT WITH THOSE TOOLS, THE SOURCE IS MY “GO-TO” VALLEY OF DEATH I HAD TO GO THROUGH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT GOONS, COLD NEWS, WARM CIVIL WAR PEASANTS STILL POOR TOURIST VISA PAUPER ON …

The Echoes of Ancestral Voices: Storytelling is the Keeper of Cultural Wisdom (by Hollie)

In the dimly lit room, the fire crackles and casts flickering shadows on the weathered faces of those gathered around. Their eyes are fixed on the storyteller, a seasoned guardian of the past, as she weaves a tapestry of words that reaches beyond the confines of time. This scene, reminiscent of ages long gone, captures …

The built environment: documenting sustainable construction techniques (by Kate)

The construction industry is a big polluter. The manufacturing of building materials – such as steel, iron, cement and glass – contributes to 11% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. A further 28% of emissions can be attributed to the powering of residential and non-residential buildings, totalling 39% for the construction industry. Whilst many countries …

The place where the Rainbow gets its colour (by Inno)

Nestled amidst the rugged embrace of Guatemala’s towering volcanoes, Lake Atitlan emerges like a precious gem laying testament to natures majestic beauty. This pristine body of water captivates many a traveller to marvel upon its enchanting splendour each year. But how did it come to be renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes on …

Integrating Permaculture into Modern Cities by Lauren

Human activity is causing major pollution including the introduction of heavy metals, chemical compounds and nutrient-loaded wastewater into the environment. This is polluting aquatic environments causing a decline in biodiversity and is even polluting groundwater sources. Plants and trees and other living organisms have natural filtering and buffering abilities but these vary by plant and …

A Brief Exploration Into The Criminalisation Of Indigenous Land Defenders In Guatemala by Yas

It’s difficult to take an interest in permaculture and environmental protection in Central America without coming across stories of the severe persecution faced by many land defenders at the hands of powerful political and corporate alliances. During my time on the Gotoco programme in Guatemala, I heard of a number of environmental initiatives that threatened …

Unravelling the Mysteries of Mayan Mathematics

Mathematics is a universal language that has evolved and been refined by numerous civilizations throughout history. Among them, the ancient Maya civilization of Mesoamerica made remarkable contributions to the field of mathematics. The Mayans developed a sophisticated numerical system, devised advanced calendrical calculations, and possessed an astute understanding of astronomy. In this blog post, we …

Zackiel Talks About His Experience On The Programme

Tone-set. It’s the dry season and has rained only once, lightly, in three months. Regardless, all is in abundance, blooming, nature gleaming with self-satisfaction and ease in achieving its fulfillment and liveliness. I went walking and exploring regularly, finding myself on hilltops overlooking the brilliance of the lake in the colors of dusk or late …

Jina Talks About Her Experience On The Programme

It was a great program, providing both theoretical and hands-on experience. Starting with IMAP was very beneficial. We learned a lot about Mayan culture and agriculture, and we even created compost and visited various fieldwork locations. Working in groups to design a piece of land was challenging, but we learned a lot about the factors …