Do you care about the future of this planet? If so, there’s a place for you in The Esperanza Project. This one-of-a-kind nonprofit media adventure seeks to link the North with the Global South in the escalating debate about the environment, finding common ground and inspiration in the process.
Like our symbol, the monarch butterfly whose annual migration connects North and South, we cross political boundaries, which are no barrier to the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that sustains us all.
The two things we need the most:
(1) Your financial support. We’re currently an all-volunteer organization operating on a shoestring, but still there are many costs, from web hosting and equipment maintenance to travel and training expenses. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and all contributions are tax-deductible. Simply click on the button below to make a donation from your credit card or bank account, or send a check or money order to The Esperanza Project, c/o Tracy Barnett, 161 Lovera Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212.
(2) Your time. Most importantly, we seek readers as we build this important new voice in the global dialog. Please subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss any posts; you can sign up for e-mail alerts in either English, or Spanish, or both (entries will vary on each side, so subscribing to both is not redundant!); you can sign up for RSS feeds to read our stories in your favorite web reader; and you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. There is a “share” widget at the bottom of each story that allows you to forward it to friends, post it to your Facebook or Twitter account, or share it with the wider world through websites like Digg and StumbleUpon. Every return visitor, every new visitor and every page click on our site brings us a greater potential to raise advertising revenue and become a sustainable, long-term project.
To take it a step further, we seek volunteers to be on the lookout for stories, videos and other media related to sustainability and the environment in Latin America. Those links will be added to our Newsfeed, which will be an ongoing resource for those who are researching the Latin American role in the transition to a more sustainable future. Send your links to Tracy at tracy@tracybarnettonline.com or Jorge Luis at jlsierrag@yahoo.com, or post them on our Twitter or Facebook page, so that we can share them with our readers.
We also seek translators, both English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English, as most of our writers don’t have the time or the ability to write in both languages. And finally, we are seeking writers, photographers and videographers willing to contribute stories to our site. If you are willing to be a regular contributor or translator, we can feature your photo and a small bio on our site. Please contact Tracy or Jorge Luis at the addresses above if you are interested in becoming an ongoing collaborator.
Tracy L. Barnett is the founding editor of The Esperanza Project. She can be reached at tracy@tracybarnettonline.com. 
¡Gracias por esta nota! Nuestras madres siembran la semilla y de nosotros depende seguir cultivando el amor hacia el planeta. Un abrazo!
I love this story, and feeling like I know Medina now. I hope that these projects continue to receive support, and that the people in the villages become engaged in the process of restoration, so it can be sustainable long term. Truly there is this dilemma–change takes time, but we have no time to spare!
I love all the quotes from the youth–beautiful to see that Martin and Carmina can create a context for all of them to do something proactive, to nourish and grow their passion for the earth and the “little ones.” This sounds like a group that is in it for the long haul. Many blessings and prayers for them!
hey there, this is laurie in beaumont tx. working on getting you here.
Thank you for sharing this. It needs to be said, to be heard, and you’ve done it beautifully, Lorraine.
Nifty….how do I get there..?
Thanks for asking. From Quetzaltenango/Xela, Guatemala’s second-largest city, you have two choices: catch a “chicken bus” at the Terminal that’s heading in the direction of Reu or Amazatenango, and ask them to drop you at Las Cumbres. That will be a very colorful experience and it will set you back about 75 cents. Or if it’s convenience you’re looking for, take a taxi – I’m not sure but it probably wouldn’t cost more than $10.
Excelent article! Congratulations to the tourism companies like Las Cumbres y Adrenalina Tours seeking to be more sustainable in their operations and helping people to travel in a more sustainable way as well as contributing to save the forest, the biodiversity, the cultures, and finally the planet!!!! As a responsible guatemalan, I would like to see more companies interested in the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program….
Tracy, your heart and your compassion is so strong and so from your heart, that I can just imagine what you heard and felt as the children told their stories to you. You have a gift, that makes everyone you come in contact with, feel so safe and know that they can share their feelings with you. As always I enjoy your travels afar and feel as if I am there with you. Be safe and take care.
I filmed an interview about this highway with a Huichol friend in April 2008, I would like to do a followup for Banderasnews.com that includes this extremely comprehensive, thoroughly excellent story.
I am also interested in writing other articles that will help the Huichol, can you direct me to what might be most beneficial?
Gomier makes great soy ice cream.
Mmm, sounds great. I´ll have to try that next time I´m in town!
I have had the pleasure of sampling many of the great foods that Ras Gomier has made over the years. Don’t miss the chance to stop by his place! You will not regret it!!
thanks and praises. Chuck haren.
What tradegy is still in this world. It is hard to believe that so many have so little.
My heart goes out to these families, to these communities. Thank you for sharing their stories Tracy, it is so hard to see, but truly in la kesh–they are us, we are them.
Here in the US as well, with all of our privilege, we have not created systems to help each other in times of crisis. many prayers and much love, and I love that the Virgin was there. Spiritual support is so important now too.
Todo mi respeto “” al pueblo de San Lucas Tolimán, gente y es Su Muy Trabajadora sabran Salir de esta dificil Prueba Con la Ayuda de Dios. Su caacidad de Organización y Esfuerzo tesonero seran Una Vez Más La Muestra de Este pueblo luchador.su caacidad de Organización y Esfuerzo tesonero seran Una Vez Más La Muestra de Este pueblo luchador.
woo hoo!! I love this story. This is why I love the permaculturists of the world–they bring hope in a very tangible way, to the enormous issues caused by our backwards modern culture. The chinampas are a beautiful antidote in my imagination and in the world for the flooding and erosion that has created so much pain.
Thank you Tracy!
Real Nice, Tracy. I’d like to get there next year, after our MMRF permaculture course in Belize. Almost got there this year, but it was a bit too far for the time we had. Thanks for the preview!
My prayers and thoughts are with these men, women, and little ones who are standing strong as the last true resistance against destruction of some of the most vital life systems on our planet. Their work is for all of us, and for the grandchildren. The work that we, the consuming nations must do to support them is to personally and collectively support greater localization of resources, learn to live abundantly with a smaller ecological (and social) footprint, and do all we can to pressure our political leaders and the corporations to stop pillaging and polluting the earth. May change come speedily!
Thank you so much for writing this article and spreading the word about QT and EDELAC!
Rosa María:
Felicidades por los proyectos que está impulsando. Convencer y después mover las poblaciones más necesitadas no es fácil. Estaré pendiente de sus éxitos (estoy segura de que serán muchos) y le deseo todo lo mejor en los proyectos futuros. Bendiciones y, como dirán en inglés, “Keep up the good work!”
Hola Rosa Maria
Estoy te acuerdo con nuestro alcalde Angel unos 10 o 0 chicas como tu seria lo maximo y quiero una para la TURISURP.
Nice article Tracy, thanks.
Que excelente articulo. El mundo necesita mas lideres como Rosa Maria que considera la sociedad como parte del medio ambiente. Siguiendo este modelo nos ofrezca lo mejor camion para proteger la naturaleza y resolver problemas sociales en el futuro y debe ser incluido en el pensamiento de mas organizaciones.
This is a very good article Tracy. Excellent pictures, too.
Carole DeVine
Finca Ixobel
Poptun, Peten
Gracias por compatir y felicidades y yo estoy seguro que con la fuerza que tienes y con mucha energia todo lo que haces es muy bueno que bonito proyecto un abrazo
Felicitaciones Rosa María y todo el equipo de ProPeten por su gran labor a favor de las comunidades ancestrales del Peten y su ambiente!
Felicito a Rosa María Chan y a ProPetén por el trabajo de excelente que están haciendo con los grupos de base. Adelante!!!
Interesante artículo y muy bien elaborado. Felicitaciones a todo el equipo de Fundación Propeten por esta firme lucha a favor de los menos favorecidos y por la búsqueda de soluciones prácticas a la problemática ambiental del Petén.
Muchas Felicidades Rosa Marìa y al excelente esfuerzo que hace todo el equipo de ProPetèn, estas son las cosas que se necesitan divulgar y que necesitamos promover para que la gente vea y apoye la sostenibilidad de nuestros recursos naturales y de la economìa comunitaria de Petèn.
Felicitaciones, muy buen trabajo, ojalá tus ideales puedan ser compartidos por muchas comunidades y que puedas hacer efectivos tus sueños.
Un abrazo.
Muchas gracias a todos y todas por sus comentarios y percepciones, las cuales dan mas animo para seguir trabajando con muncha energia por un desarrollo verdadero que no compita contra el ambiente.
Felicitaciones a Rosa María y a todo ProPetén por todos los éxitos alcanzados, estoy segura habrán muchos más!!
Tracy, very nice article, thank you for being interested in Guatemala, its forest and its people!
Felicidades a ProPetén y su Directora!!! Es bueno ver y leer las cosas positivas y buenas que se hacen en este país y en nuestro departamento… Sigan adelante… !!!
breath taking landscape and the people are so humble.give our love to all
Thanks so much for the nice comment! I will be sure to pass it along. They are indeed lovely, resilient and very committed people, and it was such a pleasure to visit with them.
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TB:
An especially wrenching story/history for me!!
jt
Wow–these beautiful mapaches inspire me so much! I love that they used adversity and their first failed attempt as fuel to find more creative solutions. That they are tapping into the resilience and playfulness of the Mapache as a model is brilliant, as is the focus on beauty and sharing with neighbors with the Calendar project. Thank you so much for sharing!
Beautiful, beautiful — isn’t it a totally amazing feeling to be with all that possitive energy?
Looking forward to you sharing more!
Oh I love to hear all about all of this! It seems to me that the Forum truly has had a profound impact across Latin America. There is great power in bringing together visionary people who are making change so they can celebrate and share strategies. Change can be festive AND effective!
What a wonderful community! It’s shows that people uniting in collective living and local trade really can provide an alternative to the abyss that face many Mexican small farmers in the face of NAFTA and supposed “modernization” of agriculture. Let’s hope they can survive and project their example.
What an amazing place! And an amazing article. Tracy, you continue to blow my mind
How did we manage to miss this one? Next time, here’s hoping. Hope that all is wonderful where you are, we’re probably going to be in Mexico for two more months! Lots of hugs, Miin
You go girl. There you are again, getting the answer directly! Keep up the great work you are doing and most of all be safe. As always I enjoy reading your adventures and your points of view. Your openness to issues is your true gift. Take care my friend.