Mayans from Guatemala, Mexico and Belize gather each year to work together to preserve their common heritage. This year the event
was held in Toledo District about 4 hours south of where I live. I was asked to teach earring making which I found daunting (teaching Mayans about how to make crafts?) To my surprise the children as young as 4 years took to it easily and elders (who were not invited) jumped in too. A good time was had by all--special thanks to my friend in NY Karen Wasserman who supplied all the materials and tools--I have contributed them to the children's program for future use. It was interesting because the children from northern Belize speak Mopan and Spanish or Mopan and English but no Spanish and from southern Belize and parts of Guatemala speak only native languages such as Ketchi (there are several dozen.) Communicating through beads was easy.
Mayans from Guatemala, Mexico and Belize gather each year to work together to preserve their common heritage. This year the event 
was held in Toledo District about 4 hours south of where I live. I was asked to teach earring making which I found daunting (teaching Mayans about how to make crafts?) To my surprise the children as young as 4 years took to it easily and elders (who were not invited) jumped in too. A good time was had by all--special thanks to my friend in NY Karen Wasserman who supplied all the materials and tools--I have contributed them to the children's program for future use. It was interesting because the children from northern Belize speak Mopan and Spanish or Mopan and English but no Spanish and from southern Belize and parts of Guatemala speak only native languages such as Ketchi (there are several dozen.) Communicating through beads was easy.
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