UMA: Uniendo Mundos Aquí
Bridging Worlds Here: a Children’s Collective

On March 26th, 2022, 6 Iq’ , a dream vision was manifested.

A unique event for children of distinct backgrounds to come together to learn, share, and play as one came into fruition. This day (Iq’), according to Mayan cosmology, is a day that represents the winds of movement/change, and new creations– and we are optimistic that the UMA (Uniendo Mundos Aquí, or “Bridging Worlds Here”) event held on this day brought upon beneficial change to the community of San Marcos La Laguna.

Local children and international children alike arrived to the event, some calm, some timid, and some cheerful. A whole range of emotions were expressed during introductions, when we asked “What is your name, where are you from, and how do you feel right now?” They were welcomed and cared for by facilitators from around the world (8 different countries to be exact), with open arms and open hearts for an exciting day filled with exploration, connection and understanding. Activities included: painting, coloring pages of traditional Mayan artesanías, yoga (breath, movement, exploration of the fire element), sound journeying, storytelling (“Rainbow Weaver” - a story about a little girl from the Guatemalan highlands), guided imagery meditation, somatic connection games, language and cultural exchange, and a picnic lunch and puppet show with the families.

In a matter of hours, we witnessed the children leaving their comfort zone for the playing-to-learn zone— embodying different animals, painting with their hands, being silly and expressive, and building new friendships through the universal language of laughter.

Iq’ is also the day of the Heart of the Earth which is the source of inspiration of ones heart, the quantum vibration and also the day of the Heart of the Sky which is the source of inspiration of one's spirit, the cosmic vibration. UMA collective is an idea that I (Brisa) have had brewing in my heart and soul for many months, since arriving at the Lake 9 months ago and being completely inspired and touched by the Guatemalan culture and way of life, as well as witnessing many of the beauties and perils of living in an increasingly intercultural community. Giving the children a space to come together in connection regardless of their background is one of the main intentions of the UMA collective. In an increasingly multicultural community, we aim to bridge the worlds by bringing together the future leaders of the community. 

Iq’ is a powerful energy that can be either a smooth breeze of creation or a violent storm of destruction. The lake (Lago Atitlán) is becoming more and more popular, with waves of “outside influence”, bringing with it lakefront luxury vacation homes, holistic healing centers, yoga retreats, and other “spiritual/ new age” workshops. While the Mayan traditions are often adored and respected by the people not originally from here, many of them are on the border of being lost and/or culturally appropriated. It is important to educate the children on what is happening, and to preserve the traditions as well as integrate the new (outside) ones with grace.

The winds of change began picking up on the day of our first ever event and we pray for UMA to continue making a profound and positive impact. This community event is all thanks to donors from far and wide (see below), community support and trust, and the dream I hold in my heart. The core intention behind UMA is to be able to bridge the worlds between the local children and the international children whose families are growing roots in the area - promoting intercultural harmony and deep understanding amidst the growing international influence around Lake Atitlán, Guatemala - by creating inclusive, safe and beautiful learning spaces/events for diverse groups of children to play and learn together.

Original Crowdfunding Proposal:

What: A special event will be held for the children in Mid-Late March 2022, with the intention of bridging the worlds that exist here in the San Marcos / Lake Atitlán region. I am inspired and feel a need for the local and international children to come together and to have space held for them (to become familiar with each other, to exchange languages and cultures, to learn, play, and engage creatively) in this increasingly intercultural community. The goal is to be able to form a children’s collective with ongoing offerings for the children around the entire lake.

Details of the Event: The children will be given the space, resources, and facilitation needed to come together to express themselves, tap into their creativity, and ignite excitement - something curated with love and intention for the children from different worlds to connect in a safe space. The event will be fully hosted by myself (Holistic Educator) and several talented collaborators (parents, you can relax). English and Spanish will be spoken with ongoing translations throughout the event.

Activities → Guided Meditation and Sound Healing, Introductions and Language Exchange, Storytelling, Eco-Literacy, Mindfulness Games, Music, Movement, Dance, and Art, and more!

“As many of those already know, it is a privilege to be living in this beautiful region of the world as a foreigner, and it is vital to be integrating on these lands (learning the history, language, preserving the heritage, practicing right relations with the local and Mayan people, and so much more). It is essential to introduce the customs and ways of thinking that come from different cultures in a way that does not colonize the Guatemalan ways, but rather that this community works towards becoming a pocket of the world where there is intercultural harmony, deep understanding, and symbiotic support.

I recognize that our precious Earth and ancient and Indigenous traditions are under grave threat, mostly due to unconscious destructive behaviors of human beings - and that one way we can shift this sad reality is through raising our children to feel connected to Nature and themselves (as individuals, and as a collective). Every single person plays a part in this global shift in consciousness, and I feel that one of the big solutions to this is to bring together the future generations (the children), to heal from these last years of disruption to humanity, and to grow together as a community in joy.”

A thousand thanks to the following donors who have supported UMA so far:

• Jim and Carolyn Williams, Samuel Parsons (Project Dunamis), Shannon Ferguson, Bernice Sundbo, Geoffrey Golda, Shawna Laychuk, Dargatz Family (The Giving Experiment), Diane Lauderbaugh, Jessica Perez, Sofie Ka, Luke Armstrong (Integral Heart Family), Jody Brown, Terje Valen Høihjelle, Janine Rowlings, Charlene Elias, Kristina DaSilva, Susan Evans Kaye, Rebecca Devine, Trista Goforth, Erin Thompson, Taylor Reid, Dylan Conaway, Adam Coombs, Rachel Berniet, Emma Yatteau, Scott Chidester, Bryan Arturo

The kindred spirits who helped facilitate the event: