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 Video courtesy National Geographic Society

Kellogg and MAI to build Maya center in Guatemala

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News release:

November 15, 2011 – In a joint statement Kellogg Company and the Maya Archaeology Initiative (MAI) announced today that Kellogg is making a $100,000 contribution to help launch one of the MAI’s priority projects to improve the lives of the Maya people in a region rich in cultural heritage but lacking in access to education and economic opportunities.

“Kellogg’s important contribution to the Maya Archaeology Initiative will help us achieve our goal of building a Maya Cultural Center in Peten, the cradle of Maya history, so children, families and visitors can learn about the Maya and their rich heritage,” said MAI President Dr. Francisco Estrada-Belli. “We are grateful to Kellogg for joining us in these efforts.”  

“We are pleased to support the MAI in its mission to protect and extend the rich history and culture of Mayan people,” said Tim Knowlton, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Kellogg Company.  “The Cultural Center promises to be a source of inspiration, pride and learning throughout the region.”

Kellogg will also be featuring major Mayan accomplishments and a link to MAI's website on Kellogg’s Froot Loops cereal boxes next year.

Version en español

Contacts:

 

Kris Charles
Kellogg Company
269-961-3799
Sam Haswell
Maya Archaeology Initiative
415-699-2802
Francisco Estrada-Belli, PhD
Maya Archaeology Initiative,
617230-6633

 

 

 

 

 

A word from the President:

We at Mai praise Kellogg for reaching out to us and help us build something that will positively improve the lives of many people of Guatemala by providing better education and a better future. We invite others to join us in this effort and help fund this project. Our goal is to raise $300,000 to build the Maya Cultural Center in Melchor de Mencos Peten.  In addition to exhibitiing artifacts to illustrate Maya civilization from the surrounding sites, the center will illustrate the local  willderness, sustainability and efforts to protect this resource for all of humanity. This facility will be energy efficient and will serve as example for sustainable building practices. It will also include a conference room, library and a gift shop with books on the Maya and arts and crafts inspired by ancient artifacts and the rainforest. This center will be the cornerstone of our three-fold mission to provide better education, protect the Maya heritage and foster sustainable development in the region. 

All donations are tax exempt. 100% of your donations will be devoted to MAI's Guatemalan project.

Thank you!

Francisco Estrada-Belli

 

Please make a donation of any amount using a credit card or Pay Pal at this link:

 

or sending a check to:

Maya Archaeology Initiative
3118 Hambletonian Lane
Walnut Creek, CA 94598


Our Mission

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The objectives of the Maya Archaeology Initiative are to provide the means to protect and improve northern Guatemala through a range of diverse programs including:

 1) To provide educational opportunities and training in Mayan history and culture for Guatemalan young people. This includes sharing artifacts and antiquities at interpretive centers, explaining the significance of Maya history in world history, and fieldwork at archaeological when possible.

 2) To encourage conservation of the Peten rainforest’s animals, plants, and natural resources. To this end, MAI works with other NGOs seeking protection for the region's invaluable natural resources;

 3) To support research in new areas of Maya archaeology, including pressing for protection of Holmul, Cival and nearby sites;

 4) To protect cultural and historical resources, and to make them available to the public through digital means where possible;

 5) To help communities better their standards of living by supporting sustainable tourism and promotion of traditional arts and handicrafts.

Our vision:

to preserve the integrity of the Maya Biosphere Reserve as a cultural and natural landscape working with the local communities, forestry associations and the Guatemalan state, within the existing legal framework for the benefit of the local communities first as well as for the benefit of our planet.