Why a web site for the Lacandones?
Since 1995, the Lacandon communities have been constructing Casas de la Cultura
community centres as part of a more affirmative program to preserve their cultural life
and identity. Their enthusiastic effort needs to be recognized as part of the world wide
struggle to halt the deterioration of indigenous cultures and the destruction of their
native environments. A web site would provide a focus where the Lacandones could
exchange stories and strategies with other indigenous peoples in the struggle to save
their cultures. A web site could field proposals for cultural exchange, and be a place to
exchange information about relevant political, social and environmental issues.Providing hardware and workshops to make the world wide web accessible to communities in rural, south eastern Chiapas will be a challenge. The climate is hostile to electronics, there are no telephone lines and computerized information systems are unknown. Special facilities will need to be built and workshops will have be to devised with teaching methods geared to Lacandon sensibilities. It is essential that the Lacandones handle the web site directly if it is to be of real relevance to their communities.
THIS WEB SITE WILL NEED SPONSORSHIP.
The Maya of Chiapas are among the poorest people in Mexico, if not the world. 20% of the people economically active in Chiapas receive no money at all. Another 38% work for less than $3.US a day. What little trusted outside assistance the Lacandones have is woefully underfunded. Few in number, and remote from the focus of rainforest activism, the Lacandones have been largely overlooked by wealthy NGOs. Sponsors can help us to bring the hardware and the skills to use it to the Lacandon communities so the website will remain interesting, active and accessible.
Please help us with translations
Most Lacandones speak Spanish as a second language. Everything needs to be translated into Spanish to keep the web site accessible. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to translate a part of the text - a page, for instance. A lot of information will come to this address in English and some of that will have to be translated too. We would be grateful if people willing to help us with these tasks would write to our E mail address.
