Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Global Fund for Children visit


Susana Shapiro del Global Fund for Children visitó Guaruma en agosto para repasar nuestras actividades y para entender mejor nuestra operación. Shapiro se había encontrado ya con director Jimmy Andino de Guaruma en Washington DC mientras que Jimmy assistía a conferencias en los E.E.U.U. por 3 semanas en agosto. Shapiro se sentó adentro en clase de la fotografía de Marco Sabini con el Tucanes mientras que salieron tomar cuadros alrededor del sendero Guaruma. Muchos estudiantes en Las Mangas hecho cartas por ella para dar las gracias por las donaciones abundantes de computadoras y de cámaras.

Susanna Shapiro of Global Fund for Children visited Guaruma in August to review our activities and to better understand our operation. Shapiro had already met with Guaruma Director Jimmy Andino in Washington DC as Jimmy was attending conferences in the USA for 3 weeks in August. Shapiro sat in on Marcus Sabini’s photography class with the Tucanes as they went out to take pictures around the Guaruma trail. Many students in Las Mangas made thank you cards for her in order to give thanks for the generous donations of computers and cameras.

Student Blogs

Los Jaguares ha estado estudiando el photojournalism para el semestre entero y cada uno de ellos ahora tiene sus propios blogs en el Internet. Comenzaron tomando los autorretratos, después se movieron a documentar a sus familias y ahora han tomando fotos en su comunidad. Las imágenes han hecho que este semestre realmente trae una cara a Guaruma y agrega un sentido de la sociedad y la cultura a su trabajo.

Ejemplo de un Blog: http://catrachoarte.blogspot.com/ - David Chavez

Para ver todos sus mejores autorretratos: http://guarumafoto.blogspot.com/

The Jaguares have been studying photojournalism for the entire semester and each one of them now have their own blogs on the internet. They started by taking self-portraits, then moved to documenting their families and have now branched out into their community. The images they have made this semester really bring a face to Guaruma and add a sense of society and culture to their work.

Example: http://catrachoarte.blogspot.com/ - David Chavez

To see all their best self-portraits: http://guarumafoto.blogspot.com/

Guaruma Mural



Instructor de Ambiente en Las Mangas Mario Mejia organizó un mural que se pintará en Guaruma que implicaba a nuestros estudiantes con artistas locales de La Ceiba. El mural fue terminado en un día el sábado 4 de octubre con ayuda de 20 estudiantes. La característica principal del mural es una cascada rodeada por la fauna y la flora que se encuentra en La Ceunca. Fue hecho posible con ayuda de Humane Society International.El Mural no fue el unico proyecto en Sabado 4 de Octubre. El nuevo orquideario en Guaruma Las Mangas fue comenzado para reemplazer la vieja estructura. Los días despues de sabado Los Jaguares terminó más adelante el techo para la estructura durante su clase del ambiente. En breve periodo de tiempo las orquídeas florecerán y Guaruma tendrá un orquideario de funcionamiento para exposiciónar.


Las Mangas Environmental Science teacher Mario Mejia organized a mural to be painted at Guaruma involving our students as well as local artists from La Ceiba. The mural was completed in one day on Saturday, October 4 with help from over 20 students. The mural’s main feature is a waterfall surrounded by wildlife that is found around La Ceunca. It was made possible with assistance from the Humane Society International.Not only was the mural completed on Saturday but also a new Orquideario at Guaruma Las Mangas was started, as the old structure needed replacing. A couple days later the Jaguares completed the roof for the structure during their environment class. In short time the orchids will be blooming and Guaruma will have a functioning orquideario for exhibition.




GUARUMA Servicios


GUARUMA Servicios avanzó en la promoción de su servicios tales como los Senderos, las Cabalgatas, las Cabañas del Bosque, el tourismo científico, las capacitaciónes para guías, el alquiler del Salón GUARUMA y los fotos y diseños de los estudiantes (menus, posters, trifolios....). Diseñamos una carpeta que contiene todos los informaciones sobre GUARUMA y su productos para que los clientes tengan una mejor idea de nuestro trabajo. Este projecto es apoyado por Humane Society International.


GUARUMA Services took a step forward in promoting its services such as guided trails, horse riding, the Cabañas del Bosque, scientific tourism, training for tour guides, the Salón GUARUMA and the photos and designs of the students (menus for restaurants, posters, brochures). We designed a folder which contains all the necessary information about GUARUMA and its products, so our clients will have a better idea of our work. This project is supported by Humane Society International.

Guaruma Postcards Now On Sale

Postales Cangreal Guaruma

Como una manera de mostrar las bellezas naturales de la cuenca del Río Cangrejal y a la vez promover la creatividad de los estudiantes fotógrafos de GUARUMA, en Junio se crearon doce diseños diferentes en 4,000 postales del Cangrejal. Este proyecto fue posible con el apoyo de Humane Society Internacional (HSI). Las postales se estan distribuyendo en La Ceiba y en el Cangrejal. Para pedidos contactar a info@guaruma.org



Cangreal Guaruma Postcards

In order to show the natural beauties of Cangrejal River watershed and the creativity of our GUARUMA photography students, in June we produced 4,000 postcards in twelve different designs of the Cangrejal Watershed. This project was supported by Humane Society International (HIS). The postcards have been distributed in La Ceiba and the Cangrejal Watershed. To order contact info@guaruma.org

New Interactive Environmental CD

CD Ambiental Interactivo

Con el apoyo de Humane Society Internacional (HSI), GUARUMA logro editar el cd ambiental interactivo ¨Tres aventuras ambientales en Honduras¨. El objetivo del cd es la enseñanza interactiva del ambiente, ecologia y de los ecosistemas de la costa norte para niños y jóvenes a través de juegos y fotografías. En este proyecto participaron estudiantes de Cayos Cochinos, Las Mangas y Roatán. En el 2009, se espera distribuir copias de este Cd en algunas escuelas y colegios de la costa norte del país para su uso como una herramienta de enseñaza ambiental.


Interactive Environmental CD

With the support of Humane Society International (HSI), GUARUMA created an interactive environmental CD ¨Tres aventuras ambientales en Honduras¨. The objective of this CD is to teach about the environment, ecology and ecosystems of the north coast through games and photography. Students from Cayos Cochinos, Las Mangas and Roatan participated in this project. For 2009, we hope to distribute copies in some schools among the north coast of Honduras to be use as an environmental teaching tool.



Friday, October 10, 2008

Programa de Ambiente Las Mangas


En GUARUMA el conocimiento y la creatividad no se la niega a nadie y es por eso que los niños asisten a clases diariamente para aprender la importacia de proteger y conservar los recursos naturales.




En la clase de ambiente desarrollamos un proyecto de huerto escolar para enseñar a los niños las practicas agricolas amigables con el ambiente


Elaboracion de abonos,plaguicidas, insecticidas y fungicidas organicos con elemetos que encontamos en la naturaleza como ser hojas y frutas. Este un proyecto es muy importante para la proteccion del ambiente

Lo que todos los alumnos esperan con entusiasmo llego el momento de la cosecha!!




Los estudiantes salen a una gira recreativa y conocen muchos lugares nuevos y de esa manera aprenden y se divierten . Realizando giras educativas en la naturaleza de esta manera los niños pueden sentir a la madre naturaleza y comprobar lo aprendido en el salon de clases .


Ellos se divierten jugando y es una buena manera de aprender....Aprende a trabajar en equipo

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Ecoturismo en el Cangrejal


Proyecto Fortaleciendo el Ecoturismo en el Cangrejal

En Septiembre 2008 y después de un año de ejecución por GUARUMA, el proyecto ¨Fortaleciendo el ecoturismo en la cuenca del Cangrejal a través de la participación comunitaria´ ha finalizado exitosamente. Entre los objetivos de este proyecto estaban el fortalecimiento de ocho grupos locales ecoturisticos (artesanías, costuras, restaurantes, hoteles, campamentos etc), afiches, separadores de libros, trifolios, gorras y camisas para los grupos, la construcción del sendero La Vista (4 Km), el diseño y activación de la página de turismo del Cangrejal y la rehabilitación de un centro de información en las Mangas. Este proyecto fue financiado por el Proyecto de Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales USAID/MIRA. Para ver mas información puede visitar: www.cangrejal.com


Environmental Campaign for the Cangrejal

Since the beginning of this year, GUARUMA has been promoting an environmental campaign ¨Cangrejal Watershed, natural pride of Honduras¨. The aim of the campaign is to promote the ecological and ecotouristic value of the Cangrejal. This campaign includes radio and TV spots and posters on the topics of biodiversity and ecotourism. Many students participated with their skills and creativity in the campaign. This project is sponsored by Humane Society International (HIS)


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

www.guaruma.org



Nueva Diseño pagina web de Guaruma
Gracias al apoyo del staff de diseño grafico de GUARUMA, la organización a partir de Julio tiene un nuevo diseño e información de la pagina website. Estamos aun actualizándolo. Puede visitar a: www.guaruma.org

New website for Guaruma
In July the organization uploaded and launched its new look website with extra information and functions including a wishlist where you can donate much needed items to Guaruma. The website was made by the volunteers of GUARUMA and some parts are still under construction. Check it out at www.guaruma.org

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Honduran Minister of Tourism visits the Cuenca

Recientemente saludaron el nuevo ministerio de turismo en Honduras que ha visitado La Cuenca y recibio una presentación de Guaruma en Las Mangas. Simon Olaeye presentó el nuevo Web site de Cangrejal Ecoturismo (www.cangrejal.com) así como los nuevos folletos y productos para una variedad de negocios en La Cuenca. Después de la presentación de Guaruma y de EcoCangrejal en la sala de clase trataron a toda la huésped a un almuerzo agradable en la restautant de Las Cabañas en Las Mangas.

Recently the new Honduras head of tourism visited La Cuenca and was greeted with a presentation from Guaruma in Las Mangas. Simon Olaeye presented the new Cangrejal Ecoturismo website (www.cangrejal.com) as well as new brochures and products for a variety of businesses in La Cuenca. After the Guaruma and EcoCangrejal presentation in the classroom all of the guest were treated to a nice lunch at the Cabañas restaurant located just above Guaruma in Las Mangas.

Goodbye Victor!

Victor Kondel
Despues de seis meses en GUARUMA Victor Kondel, nuestro instructor voluntario de Computación y disennador salio de la organización para regresar a Alemania a iniciar sus estudios universitarios. Agradecemos su profesionalismo y dedicacion durante tu tiempo con nosotros. Te deseamos un futuro brillante!

Victor Kondel
After six months in GUARUMA Victor Kondel, our volunteer computer instructor and designer from Las Mangas left the organization to return to Germany to start university. We acknowledge his professionalism and dedication during his time with us and we wish him a brilliant future!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

New Volunteer


Eduardo Rico

Desde Agosto 2008, Eduardo Rico (Hondureño) y biólogo, es el nuevo instructor voluntario de ambiente en GUARUMA El Pital. Su dinamismo es muy importante para nuestro programa educativo. Bienvenido a GUARUMA!


Eduardo Rico

Since August 2008, Eduardo Rico (Honduran) a biologist is the new volunteer instructor for environment in GUARUMA El Pital. His dynamism and experience are very important to our educational program . Welcome to GUARUMA!

Monday, August 18, 2008

New Volunteer

Eva Juenemann
Desde Agosto 2008, Eva Jüenemann (Alemana) y voluntaria, esta coordinando las actividades de GUARUMA servicios, mercadeo y ecoturismo desde la oficina en La Ceiba. Su creatividad y actitud para el trabajo son aspectos importantes en su trabajo. Bienvenida a GUARUMA!

Eva Juenemann
Since August 2008, our new volunteer Eva Jüenemann (German) has been coordinating activities for GUARUMA services, marketing and ecotourism from our office in La Ceiba. Her creativity and work attitude are already working wonders. Welcome to GUARUMA Eva!

Monday, July 21, 2008

New Staff

Instructor de Fotografia y Asistente Director
A partir de Junio 2008, la Organización GUARUMA cuenta con la participación de Marcus Sabini (EE.UU), como Nuevo instructor de Fotografía en Las Mangas y asistente Director. Marcus es un foto periodista cuya habilidad y pasión por la fotografía es muy importante para los estudiantes. Bienvenido!

Photography Instructor and Assistant Director
In June of this year we welcomed Marcus Sabini (EUA) to GUARUMA as Assistant Director and Photography instructor in Las Mangas. Marcus is a photojournalist whose passion and skills for photography are so important for our students. Welcome on board!

New Volunteer

Mario Mejia
Desde Junio 2008, Mario Mejia (Hondureño) y pasante de Ecoturismo es el nuevo instructor volntario de ambiente en GUARUMA Las Mangas. Su pasión por la naturaleza y carisma son sus herramientas mas importantes. Bienvenido!

Mario Mejia
Since June 2008, Mario Mejia (Honduran) an Ecotourism intern, is the new volunteer instructor for environment in GUARUMA Las Mangas. His love for nature and his charisma are some of his most important tools. Welcome!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Students work to Clean up the Watershed

Students work to Clean up the Watershed

Semana Santa is a busy time for tourism along the Cangrejal River. When the tourists leave, often there are piles of trash left along the shores and forests of the valley. This year, however, a group of students with help from the Red Cross and MIRA worked to make sure people would pack out what they brought in to promote environmental consciousness.


Thank you to Peacepassers.org!

Peacepassers.org Makes a Donation to Las Mangas Soccer Club

Peacepassers is a small organization with the mission to bring soccer equipment to rural communities across the world. Based in Gainesville, FL they packed four large bags with uniforms, balls, pumps, whistles, jackets, and cleats for Las Mangas. Peacepassers plans to make a personal stop in the watershed sometime this summer on their way to Costa Rica. Thank you Peacepassers!





Student at Cuero y Salado

Student and Instructor Photograph Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
During the first week of April Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge contracted Guaruma for a photography assignment. Instructor Mac Stone and student photographer Camilo Lopez visited the refuge for two days photographing a new trail for brochures and promotional posters. The trip was a unique experience for Camilo to photograph under guidelines and deadlines, opening his eyes to the marketability of his talents.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Guaruma Buletins May 08

To subscribe to the Guaruma Buletin email us at info@guaruma.org



Friday, May 2, 2008

Brand New Computer Classroom for El Pital!

This month saw the opening of the new Oficina de Computacion, El Pital. The new office will serve as a class for all 28 students of Guaruma El Pital.

After months of hard toil by Tonio Funez the new Oficina de Computacion was completed shortly after Semana Santa. The Staff of Guaruma, students and members of the community spent a long hot weekend painting the aula inside and out and generally readying it for use. Classes commenced in the last week of March and we are currently running two classes a week for each of the three groups of children in the program the Zompopos, the Iguanas and the Gavilanes.

At the moment we have 5 working computers kindly donated by a Swedish organization in the Oficina de Computacion. We are hoping to increase the number of computers to the full quota needed of ten over the coming year.

The children are currently learning about the basic functions of a computer before moving on to programs and project based work later in the year. With our cross-disciplinary approach here at El Pital we are working to combine the photography and computacion elements of the program as much as possible this year allowing the children to start experimenting with combining text and their images.

Stay tuned for more news….

Progress at El Pital...



As Guaruma El Pital develops, the staff and students work hard to build a stronger sense of community through the educational opportunities and programs Guaruma has to offer.

The student’s started this year’s classes with gusto, by doing a week of exciting teambuilding skills and problem solving activities. We have developed the program around the idea of “the five finger contract,” which encompasses the values and expectations we encourage in the class, at home, and in social situations. Each finger represents a word such as security, commitment, respect, inclusion, and fun. Working to develop these values in students, we are taking a holistic approach to include the families and community. Our goal is to make the program a part of the student’s lives and help them develop life skills that will aid them in the future.

Beginning in February, the students in El Pital are now participating in classes in four disciplines; English, Computers, Photography and Environmental Science. In January the program received a generous donation of $1000 from Robert and Marlene Smith of Bridgman, MI, to purchase 9 digital cameras. For the last couple months the student’s have been exploring their community and natural world through the lens, while learning the basic ideas of photography. Also as a program and community project, the students are in the process of building their own garden, in which they will be responsible for the construction, care and maintenance.

Along with our community approach, this year is very interactive for us as well. We have added one night each week where the entire community is invited to participate in a specific activity so far we have had a guitar jam session, movie nights, an English conversation hour and a parents’ night.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

New Staff at Guaruma...

GUARUMA STAFF


Victor Kondel
Victor has been with us since February 2008 and is a German volunteer from ICYE who has just joined Las Mangas GUARUMA as a Computer Instructor and Design Assistant.




"My name is Victor Kondel, I am 19 years old and a volunteer from Germany. I am doing this voluntary year as a substitute for the German Military Service. The first half of my year I spent in the capital Tegucigalpa, working in the office of my exchange organization. This past February I changed my project and moved from Tegucigalpa to La Ceiba. Here at Guaruma I am a technical assistant and my job is to teach children various computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Webdesign. I am living and working in the small community 'Las Mangas' and I am glad to be here for another 4 months"

Laura Knight
Laura Knight is a British volunteer also here with ICYE. She will be with us until January 2009 as a Computer Instructor and Graphic Design and Communications Assistant.





"Hi, my name is Laura and I am volunteering as the new Computer Instructor for GUARUMA in the small community of El Pital. So far I am really enjoying the challenge of teaching and learning Spanish up here, the community have made me feel very welcome and I feel very priveleged to be loving in such a beautiful part of the world."

Johanna Frank
Johanna Frank (19), came to GUARUMA La Ceiba as a Volunteer from AFS as coordinator assistant of ¨ Biodiversity Conservation Campaign Cangrejal¨. a communication media campaign for Television and radio.




Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Nuevo Equipo y Actividades...

PERSONAL DE GUARUMA

Victor Kondel
A partir de Febrero 2008, Victor Kondel, alemán (20) se integro a GUARUMA Las Mangas como Voluntario de ICYE en el cargo de Instructor de Computación y Asistente de Diseño.

Laura Knight
Laura Knight (25), Inglesa y voluntaria de ICYE ingreso desde Febrero a GUARUMA El Pital como instructora de computación y asistente de diseño grafico y comunicaciones.

Johanna Frank
Johanna Frank, Alemana (19), se integro a partir de Febrero 2008 a GUARUMA La Ceiba como voluntaria asistente de AFS en el cargo de asistente coordinadora del la ¨ Campaña sobre la conservación de la biodiversidad en la Cuenca del Río Cangrejal¨. Una campaña en los medios de comunicación (radio y televisión).

DONACIONES

En Febrero y como parte del Proyecto ¨Fortalecimiento del Ecoturismo en la cuenca del Río Cangrejal¨, GUARUMA y el Programa de Servicios recibieron del Proyecto USAID-MIRA la donación de un equipo de computadoras, binoculares, GPS, impresora proyector, guías de campo, etc para fortalecer las actividades de guiaza ecoturísticas en la cuenca del Río Cangrejal.

PROYECTOS

Campaña de Biodiversidad

En Marzo inicio la ¨ Campaña de Conservación de Biodiversidad de la Cuenca del Río Cangrejal ¨ a través de los medios de comunicación radio y televisión a nivel regional. Esta campaña tiene como propósito la elaboración de dos anuncios televisivos y dos cuñas radiales narradas por los estudiantes de GUARUMA para ser promocionados en la sociedad civil. Esta campaña es patrocinada por Humane Society Internacional (HSI). Marzo a Junio 2008.

Boletín Ecocangrejal 2008
A partir de Febrero y con el patrocinio de New England Biolab Foundation, se esta publicando mensualmente el Boletín Ambiental del ¨Ecocangrejal 2008¨ elaborado por los estudiantes avanzados de GUARUMA El Pital y Las Mangas.

EVENTOS Y ACTIVIDADES

Con éxito recientemente GUARUMA Servicios a través de Simon Olaleye, instructor de GUARUMA finalizo la capacitación de computación de los miembros comunitarios de los grupos ecoturisticos de la Cuenca del Río Cangrejal. Durante tres meses, trece (13) personas locales fueron capacitadas en los programas básicos de computación (Microsoft Office e Internet).

Exciting New Donations and Projects...

Donations

In February as part of the current Project ¨ Ecotourism Strength at Cangrejal River Watershed¨, GUARUMA Program Services was very happy to receive Project a donation of computers, binoculars, GPS, printers, guide books from USAID-MIRA. This equipment will significantly help us in our guiding activities at Cangrejal area.

Projects

Biodiversity Campaign
In March we started the ¨ Biodiversity Conservation Cangrejal Watershed Campaignning,¨ working on radio and TV spots for the La Ceiba region. We launched this campaign with an event kidly hosted by Expatriados, La Ceiba where we unvieled two tv spots and two radio spots made and narrated by the GUARUMA kids. This campaign was made possible with sponsorship from the by Humane Society International (HSI) and we hope will go a long way to promoting the Biodiversity of the Cuenca del Cangreal.

Ecocangrejal 2008

Since February, with sponsorhip from the New England Biolab Foundation, we have been running a project to produce an Environmental newspaper, made and published monthly by the advanced students from GUARUMA El Pital and Las Mangas. We are currently producing the third edition and we hope to make this available for download on the Guaruma Website in the very near future.

Other Acitivities

Through GUARUMA Services Simon Olaleye, GUARUMA instructor, successfully finished a Computer Training Course for 13 members of the communities of the Cangrejal River. During three months, those members were trained in basic computer programs including Microsoft Office and Internet programs. This work was made possible with funding for MIRAand has improved the computer literacy of local people and in turn will greatly benefit their local business.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

GUARUMA Student visits the States for NANPA Annual Sumit.


In October of 2007 one of our students, Orlin Murillo was one of ten students around the world to win a scholarship for the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) annual summit.

After receiving the news from NANPA Orlin started a long and arduous process of legalizing his trip to the states. He spent countless hours waiting in seemingly endless lines only to be told there was no paper, no ink, the manager wasn’t in, or my favorite “We just can’t today,” from the civil office in La Ceiba. Finally after getting his Honduran ID card in Tegucigalpa (16 hour trip) Orlin could apply for his passport in January. Once the passport was expedited he could then make an appointment with the American embassy in the capitol which was scheduled for the 20th of February, only three days before he was to leave for Florida.

With letters of support from Fotokids, Global Fund for Children, Guaruma, NANPA, and the director of USAID, Orlin, his mother, and I waited in line at the embassy for 6 hours. While inside the building we heard over the loudspeaker the practiced phrase “No, I’m sorry, your visa is not approved,” and watched the slumped shoulders and crying families shuffle slowly out the front door. We were the last ones interviewed and luckily the woman behind the window was supportive of Orlin’s talents and dedication to photography. Visa approved - tears of happiness.

Upon arriving to the airport the night of our flight (1:00 AM) Orlin proudly approached the Spirit Airlines ticket counter with his official American visa. Without remorse the attendant handed back his passport and said he couldn’t go without a permission slip signed by his mother. In a panic, I called Jimmy who mustered up a final effort to get Orlin on the plane. Jimmy convinced the migration officer to allow Orlin to travel and finally at 2:00 AM we were in the air on our way to Florida.

The conference was a whirlwind of photography workshops, meetings with the pros, and chronic sleep deprivation. Orlin’s first three days consisted of going out in the field and learning to use a Canon SLR. The students would come back to the hotel to upload images, critique photos, and then reflect on the day through intimate feedback sessions. Although Orlin did not speak or understand English, I was there to translate every word and to be his voice. Orlin displayed an acute maturity that resonated with the other students. He openly compared his experience in Florida as walking through a magic door into the land of Narnia; a land of dreams and endless possibilities.

After the three days in the field Orlin attended the conference with 600 other professional photographers listening to keynote speakers from National Geographic and other famous publications. On the last day Orlin was even invited to give a speech about his experience with the high school scholarship program and the impact NANPA will have on his life. A fellow student translated his words and they received a standing ovation.

The success of the program is hard to measure in quantitative terms. Orlin said that coming to Florida was like “a blind man seeing the world for the first time.” While he benefited from the new friendships, the imparted knowledge from other photographers, and the experience of overseas travel I think it’s just as important to note the positive effect he had on everyone else at the conference. In my four years of attending the conference I have never seen a student group as emotionally cohesive as this year’s. Much of this has to do with Orlin’s ability to open up with such inhibition that he welcomes and sometimes catalyzes discussion and reflection. Not every youth would feel comfortable in his shoes; surrounded by an ocean of foreigners and new isms, asked to jump right in. Honduras should be beaming with pride that they have an ambassador like Orlin.