This year, the Highland Support Project has partnered with a collection of Kichwa communities of Chimborazo, Ecuador to bolster the development and implementation of locally directed programs to build Indigenous social capital that counters the continuing structures of dependency created by the hacienda system.

From March 1 - 30, the Highland Support Project was assessed, alongside 577 other projects around the globe, through GlobalGiving's Accelerator campaign for a permanent spot on their fundraising platform.

For such a short parable from the Christian canon, the parable of the mustard seed is referenced fairly often in secular literature and media. Usually just used as a one trick pony sort of long-hand for "have a little faith," what can the mustard seed teach us about building community resillence in the post-colonial era?

Globalization brings with it many benefits – including having an abundance of choice in the supermarket, however it also brings with it disadvantages such as the breakdown of local traditions and lack of knowledge of where your food comes from. 

Elvia was born and grew up in the Palajunoj Valley, a village on the outskirts of Xela. During primary school she lived with her grandparents in a district far from her house, because in her family there were some difficulties with her father.

Jaqueline is a 25 years old woman born in San Antonio Suchitepéquez, a town close to Guatemala city. Her mother was one many K'iche speakers that migrated to the city from the Pacific coast region seeking refuge from the political violence, poverty, and limited access to opportunity.

She is a 22 years old girl who was born and grown up in the centre of San Juan Ostuncalco, in a house built by her parents where she lived with them and her seven brothers and sisters waking up early every morning to go to school, escorted by her father or her brothers.

Meet Paola's story! She is an empower women and has being working for Pixan more than 4 years ago. 

HSP introduces a new program to assist rural indigenous students access opportunity.  HSP is partnering with the Foundation Yanapak Yachachikuna that stands for “Servant Teachers,” in the Kichwa language to assist rural Indigenous youth meet entry requirements for National University, increase access to technology and promote the understand that technology and Indigenous culture are not mutually exclusive.

 The FYYChE is directed by Kichwa leadership, serving Kichwa communities and is organized around

When people complain about millennials not being productive, they have definitely not worked with the Cadets of VMI.  Vania Murcia and Alexander Josiah Alvarado engineered a solution to a water crisis in the community of Nuevo Chuicutama and designed an appropriate reservoir tank to ensure the community had year round access to water.

9132.11 feet. That's exactly how high we were upon arrival in the Maya village Ostuncalco. Looking around at the livestock, humble houses and filthy feet, I couldn't help but feel slightly ashamed that I ever complained about anything in life. 

UPDATE: On April 7th we visited the community of Twi Ninwitz, San Juan Ostuncalco. Together men, women, teachers and kids made a Mayan Ceremony and a feast because our dreams came true.

An update from HSP intern Corrie Henderson about her experience with the Pixan Project.