Full Narrative

by 2012 Project Director, Sam Heeter

1.     What is the focus of the project?

The renovation of the Centro de reciclaje focuses on environmental appreciation and youth leadership.

2.     How were the idea and plans for this project generated?

The youth group Jaguares generated the idea for the project and realized that in order to expand and grow their ideas, they would need outside funding.

3.     Does the community support the project? If so, how are they demonstrating support?

The community and youth group enthusiastically support the project.  Yaxunah receives many tourists who come to explore archaeological ruins and view the cultural museum.  The community benefits directly from this tourism, so they support the idea of beautification of the town by removing more trash and recyclable items.  They have already taken initiative in building the Centro de reciclaje several years ago.  The youth group supports the project and shows motivation in weekly trash collection.

4.     What is the timeline for implementing the project?

The following is the basic timeline of the project:

      i.     July 16^th - send in proposal

                                                              ii.     July 20^th - receive funds

      iii.     July 20^th – 25^th  buy materials/organize logistics

      iv.     July 25^th - 28^th installation of doors

      v.     July 29^th - inauguration of Centro de reciclaje

5.     Who will be involved in implementing the project?

The group Jaguares will be involved in implementing and maintaining because they already use the facility.  Volunteers will also solicit community members’ support to volunteer manual labor (such as creating a path in front of the Centro with pre-existing rocks).  The community will also be invested in further beautification of the center and of Yaxunah.

6.     What future services, if any, will be provided with this project? What organizations have committed to providing them in the future? e.g.: medical services, educational services, library services. Please include supporting letters of commitment for such services.

The Jaguares have expressed interest in continuing their weekly trash collection.  This project will support the recycling infrastructure of Yaxunah indefinitely and hopefully act as a catalyst for other communities in the region.  The recycling center will also allow the Jaguares to do more group projects from the funds they receive from selling the plastic bottles.

7.     Who will have overall responsibility for implementing the project?

AMIGOS project staff will partner with Jaguares and community leaders, the comisario and four advisors, in the implementation of the project.

8.     Who will have the on-going responsibility of upkeep or management after the project has been implemented? (Please list job titles, names, and how they will act as a caretaker or manager).

The Jaguares will be in charge of the upkeep of the center.  They were formed in 1998 and are well organized.  Pedro Ay Canul is the president, Nayeli Uicab Canul is the secretary, and Virginia Canul Tamay is the treasurer.  They will continue to facilitate weekly trash pick-ups and maintenance of the cleanliness of the Centro de reciclaje.

The Jaguares have already taken the initiative in clearing out the overgrowth and debris near the recycling center and have also created a work schedule for those who will volunteer in helping cleaning out the area and provide additional project support. 

9.     What specific signs will indicate that this project has been successful? If you were to return in 1-2 years, what signs would you look for to show that this project has been successful in the long-term?

The project will have been successful if there is evidence of continued weekly trash collection, upkeep of the facility, and sustainable and renewable funds for the Jaguares to use on additional community projects such as art classes for local children.

10.  Approximately how many and who are the intended beneficiaries?

The Centro de reciclaje will directly benefit the 26 members of Jaguares.  It will also indirectly benefit 600 community members of Yaxunah and the tourists who visit every year.  In the future, there is a possibility of partnering with the neighboring community Kancabdzonot (a town of 900 people).  There is a youth group there called La santa cruz verde who also want to begin weekly trash pick-ups. 

11.  How will sustainability of this project be assured?

Sustainability will be assured because the youth group has been thriving since 1998.  Members are well organized and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their community and to the environment. 

12.  How will success be measured for this project?

Increased participants and frequency of trash collection will demonstrate long term success for this project.

Support This Project:

Make an online donation here, and please specify Yucatan Bevil Grant in the comments section. Any funds raised above the $1196.25 will go to funding other Bevil Grants unless otherwise specified. Thank you!