In these centers we engage in production and demonstration activities related to sustainable agriculture. These activities include gardening, the cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs, the rearing of animals, the appropriate use technology and agro-industrial production for commercialization. In addition, we have places for meetings and social gatherings to assist the process of intercommunity consolidation already underway in each of the zones.
This center is located in San Lucas Sacatepequez, inside of the natural reserve of the Cerro Alux in the department of Sacatepequez. This center was created in 1990 as a resource for the teaching and the promotion of knowledge and practices that better the lives of people living in the communities. The center hopes to provide an opportunity for rural farmers to see and try experimental processes, fulfilling the motto of “learning by doing.” The center also has a sufficiently large infrastructure to hold large conventions, meetings and other types of events. It offers the services of room and board and facilities for the development of various types of activities, all located in a beautiful natural setting. Facilities are also available to house volunteers who wish to share in our work and to learn more about the reality of Guatemala.
The central offices of FUNCEDESCRI are also located in this center.
This center is located in Xenematzé, Nebaj in the department of Quiche. In the Ixil language, the name Kulbaalib Xechulub means “meeting place underneath the oak trees.” The center was founded in 1999 with the hope that the surrounding local communities might have a local center to hold meetings and to help transform and add value to agricultural products for latter commercialization. The center contains a processing plant which specializes in Amaranth and other basic cereal products. Furthermore, the center contains a workshop for the production of roof tiles and composting latrines, which are sold locally. The center also provides a maize flour mill to local families so that they can mill their corn. In the above photo, children are drinking an atól (a traditional Guatemalan drink) of amaranth that was produced in the center.
The Center Xecamjaw, located in Cunén, in the department of Quiche, was founded in 1998. The center contains a processing plant for fruits and jams, a distillery for essential oils, a garden of medicinal plants and herbs and a natural medicine clinic. It also offers room and board and facilities for groups to hold meetings and other events.
The center Seholobob, located in Setaña, Campur in the department of Alta Verapaz, was founded in 1999. The Center contains a processing plant for vegetables and fruits and a distillery for essential oils.
The forestry School Los Cimientos is located in the town of Matanzas, San Jerómino in the department of Baja Verapaz.