About the Mayan Spring

With sheer accuracy and remarkable achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and art, the Mayan culture marks a date that will be remembered throughout history, December 21, 2012.

According to some reports, the Mayans predicted this day to be the end of the world, the end of our life cycle. The Mayan Spring takes a new approach. This is to help Guatemala, known as the land of eternal spring, become a country with a bright future that rids its suffering of chronic child malnutrition.

Since the rest of the world will be watching Guatemala, it’s a perfect opportunity. This date can instead mark a rebirth of the Mayan people utilizing this international stage to celebrate their history and focus on a more prosperous future.

What is child malnutrition

Children who suffer from chronic malnutrition fail to grow to their full genetic potential, both mentally and physically. The main symptom is stunting - shortness in height compared to others of the same age group - and takes a relatively long time to develop.

There is a critical window for a child's optimal physical and mental growth and development, from when he or she is still in the mother's womb and during the first two years of life. Efforts to intervene during this period to counter the effects of malnutrition can reverse the harm it causes, but if the opportunity is missed, the child will never make up the difference in growth and development, and will be adversely affected for the rest of his or her life.  (Save the Children Foundation)

  

What are the issues

Guatemala’s future is at stake. It has the highest rate of malnutrition in the Western Hemisphere with 50% of its children under 5 chronically malnourished. This climbs to a staggering 70% of Guatemala’s indigenous people.

Yet, the country has food in abundance. Avocado, cantaloupe, and banana are just a few of the many agricultural products it exports.

This cannot stand. Guatemala and the international community must team up to focus on the persistent state of child malnutrition.

How can you help

We as a people must help revive the Mayan civilization and the country of Guatemala. At current rates of progress, it would take 20 years to eliminate stunting among the non-indigenous and 83 years among the indigenous population. This is unacceptable. (USAID, Cross-Cutting Activities).

This movement is committed to pushing forward with increased awareness and resources through donations and social networks to help these young children in need. We can make an enormous impact just by donating $12 on December 21, 2012.

The following organizations are only a few of the many to choose from. Thanks for any support you can give to make this once powerful civilization, a prosperous one again.

LOCAL

Wuqu Kawoq, wuqukawoq.org

Mayan Families, mayanfamilies.org

Semillas Para El Futuro, semillasparaelfuturo.org

INTERNATIONAL

USAID, usaid.org

UNICEF, unicef.org

Oxfam, oxfam.org