What is the Maya Hinterland Project?

Under the umbrella of the Maya Hinterland Project are several programs along the Ruta de los Cenotes, in Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario.
All programs are aimed at the betterment of the Maya communities in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Our Mission

The Maya Hinterland Fund exists to strengthen and support connections between Maya children, youth, families, and community through advocacy, environmental education, and sharing of Maya culture.

Our Vision

Is one of a healthy community where Maya children and families, through family, community and cultural support, reflect pride, respect, and self-esteem, and realize their full potential. With the creation of a protected Nature reserve we will raise awareness for the need of protection of their ancestral land.

Who is supported through the fund?

Mostly the Maya communities.
Even before the Covid crisis these little villages struggled with supporting their families and education for their children.
We deliver food and donations to these small villages, support community projects and environmental awareness efforts such as providing school uniforms and organizing educational trips to Chichen Itza.

We also support the maintenance of our Nature Reserve.
Over the past several years more and more jungle is sold to developers.
This resulted in the loss of the ancient land of the Maya as well as in loss of sustainability for the Maya beekeeper.
Through our support this Nature Reserve is kept from being developed and serves as and educational tool
for the Maya children.

What is the most current program?

The Maya Education program.

This program consists of 3 parts.

Part One: The Maya Library

The Maya library.
We created this library at the Maya Museum Tuukul Taam in Leona Vicario.
We filled it with coffee table books from around the world and a 30 year collection of National Geographic Magazines.
This library furthers the curiosity of the children and shows them that beyond their small communities is a big, wide world.

Part Two: The Maya Theater

During the Maya Theater events we show the Maya children educational films about Maya history and mythology.
With this the children learn about their ancestry, how beautiful it is to be Maya and how important it is to preserve the Maya culture.
These films are all in the Maya language and respected elders give the introduction in Maya as well.

Part Three: The Maya Sanctuary

We are creating this sanctuary at the edge of our Nature Reserve between Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario.
The purpose of this sanctuary is to introduce the Maya children to the land of their ancestors and to the need for preservation.
Once finished we will have traditional Maya huts there. Elders will pass on their knowledge of traditional Maya beekeeping, medicinal plants and the Maya lifestyle.

International biologists and environmentalists will instruct the Maya children in a modern approach to conservation.

Currently we are raising funds to:

• Employ local Maya people to help with the maintenance of the service road into the reserve.
• Clearing a path around and into the Sanctuary
• Building a traditional Maya hut at the Sanctuary that will serve as a meeting place and a place for lectures.
• Building a Maya hut for the groundskeeper.
• Building housing for volunteers to help with cataloging the flora and fauna within the reserve.
• Maintenance of our pick up truck, rent for the office and internet costs.

I am asking you to keep supporting this Fund and to become part of a truly worthwhile and needed cause.