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From path to gap

2018

In February 2018, taking advantage of the presence of his grandson, an expert hiker, the project manager of the UGK Foundation - Swiss, retired teacher - decides to walk up to the Mirador himself to realize the effort that the people of the village have to do to get to the North Star - and then go home. For days it has rained and the road looks like a narrow mud channel where it is not made of pure rock. They are passed or crossed by men and women of all ages, sometimes with well-laden mules. At a certain point, a mule falls and you have to pick it up with its load. But in people's faces you can't see anger or sadness, just tiredness. Everyone greets with a smile.

For the two Swiss, the hike ends shortly before the summit, after a steep climb that takes more than an hour. There are still approximately 4 kilometers to go to reach the intended destination. They understand that the project to improve this trail does have to be foreseen.

In the coming months, communication continues with Hortenico, the vice president of the Estrella Polar Cooperative, a very proactive man, who at the same time is COCODE del Mirador, the Communal Development Commission. He sends photographs and videos that teach the men of the Mirador that year after year they constantly improve the road wherever possible, with elementary tools.  

September 2018. During his next stay in Guatemala, the Foundation's project manager, accompanied by Hortenico and the Fedecocagua technician, requests a meeting with the mayor of Chajul, who has already supported the classroom project. The UGK Foundation can offer an amount of $10,000 on the condition that the Municipality puts up at least the same amount. The mayor accepts the offer and a contract is signed with five counterparts: the UGK / Fedecocagua Foundation, the external sponsor, the Mirador Community, the Chajul Municipality and the Estrella Polar Cooperative. It is already true that a formal highway cannot be built with $20,000 plus Community labor. A gap will be made - however, it will already be a noticeable improvement.

 

 

February 13, 2018

The UGK Foundation project manager climbs to the top:

It's not about hiking in this case. 

01.06 mapa.jpg

September 9, 2018

 

Meeting with the mayor of the Chajul Municipality.

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