Best Mayan documentary

Thank you to Nancy Hewett, volunteer and enthusiastic supporter of the Mayan Families Mission, for the contribution of this blog post.

I’d just arrived in Panajachel a few days earlier to begin my three month volunteer stint with Mayan Families when I was invited to attend an inspiring and edifying program at La Galería. The objective of the event was to honor the admirable "ancianas" (elderly) who participate in the Mayan Families’ Elderly Care Program and to be among the first to view the first public presentation of short documentares produced by a past videographer and photographer volunteer, Emily Laliberté.

I first became acquainted with Panjachel and Lake Atitlán almost three years ago as a first time visitor to Panajachel; and as a tourist was immediately seduced by the quaint charm and unrelenting activity that filled the streets. So quickly, though, my “romance” was overshadowed by the reality of the lives of the indigenous population who struggle 24-7 to feed their families for another day.

During my previous volunteer experience with Mayan Families in 2013, I quickly learned that the struggle intensifies multi-fold for the elderly. On every street corner, in every doorway, on every curbside one cannot ignore the elderly - weathered, desperate, and often infirm. They extend their frail hands for a few centavos or try to sell whichever small articles or meager produce they are able to offer. Thus is the “social welfare program” for the elderly here in this part of the world.

Others have clearly been moved by the same saddening scence of impoverished, lonely elderly; La Galería in Panajachel (a local art gallery) was filled to capacity on the evening of January 11th for the first public viewing of THROUGH THEIR EYES: THE LIVES OF THE MAYAN ELDERLY hosted by Mayan Families. Approximately 75 local residents and Mayan Families staff and volunteers gathered to support the efforts of the Elderly Care Program and to honor the ancianas who’d participated in the project. The series relays the personal stories of three program participants: Doña Iris, Doña Gregoria and Doña Encarnacion. The powerful short documentaries depict their lives filled with tragedy, sadness and desperation; and cogently support the humanitarian obligation to meet their basic needs.

Dressed in their best clothes and beaming every minute, the “stars” of two of the three videos attended the showing as honored guests. In attendance were Iris, her mom, Masimiliana, and her two elderly and disabled uncles, Miguel and Manuel.

Doña Iris

Doña Masimiliana and Miguel

Manuel

Gregoria, who only speaks the Mayan indigenous language of Kaqchickel, was accompanied by Doña Theresa, the cook of the Elderly Care Center in San Jorge, such that she could translate for her as necessary.

Doña Gregoria

Thomas Cuz, owner of La Galería, opened the presentation by expressing his support for the program and for the work of Mayan Families. Mr. Cuz’s wife, Sabine, had prepared delicious finger foods and coordinated the refreshment table.

Grace White, the Elderly Care Program Coordinator at Mayan Families, then introduced the honored ancianas. With glowing faces and overwhelming smiles they nodded in acknowledgement of the exuberant applause. She framed the program with the reminder that behind the spirit and resilience of the Ancianas reflected in the documentary lays a profound sadness, desperation and exhaustion. The Elderly Care Program frequently provides their only resource for a meal and medical attention. It assures them that they have not been discarded and validates them as human beings.

• Mayan Mystery
• Mayan ancestry
• Modern Mayan culture