Guest Entry: The Cooperative and the Association

The following is a guest entry by Michael Lewis:

Most of my writing of this blog was performed at the offices of the Cooperativo Xe-Ixtamayac (which is actually where I am right this moment, but they may change by the time Martín posts this). This cooperative is basically just a credit union. It has thousands of associates in many communities in the area. Not surprising, its primary function is to protect the savings of its depositors/associates, extend credit to people who need it, and realize a profit. Access to credit alone can do amazing things to transform a community in a cash-poor society, but the cooperative also seeks to be a more proactive force for good. The Cooperativo Xe-Ixtamayac was founded in 1987 by Pedro Jorge Batz Caxaj, who is still its president, and who has a vision of developing Paxtocá for the better.

In 2006, the cooperative established a school called Fuente de Sabiduría (Fountain of Wisdom). The school includes the three main education levels, Primaria (6 years), Basico (3 years), and Diversicado (3 years). It's basically the equivalent of a combined elementary, intermediate, and high school school in the United States. It initially just met in a home, but in 2008 the cooperative built a proper facility for the school, which is one of the nicer-looking buildings I’ve seen in Guatemala, despite the fact that it is only accessible via a dirt road. The price: Q3.5 million ($400,000 USD). The cooperative still supports the school, covering probably 70% of the cost directly, while the other 30% is made up by the tuition paid by its students.

About the time the school was established, two sister organizations were also organized to help create jobs and develop Paxtocá: JPJ (Jóvenes Para Jóvenes – Youth for Youth) and SDS (Sistema de Desarollo Sostenible – System for Sustainable Development). Under the direction of the cooperative, the two groups were combined into Xeixtamayac Programa Juvenil de Desarollo Sostenible, or Xeiprojuve for short. The cooperative has been providing support to Xeiprojuve ever since, including proving them will office space so they can manage their affairs.

It was under this framework that the idea for the tomato project kicked off. With some of the contacts held by the Cooperativo Xe-Ixtamayac, Xeiprojuve was able to secure funds for the construction of the greenhouses from a Swiss development organization, Helvetas. They were also able to construct a second greenhouse where they grow stevia.

This year Xeiprojuve was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization under the title Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Xeiprojuve. Its mission is to improve Paxtocá by working in the areas of Education, the Environment, and Entrepreneurship. Anyone can become a member of the association, and they’re constantly exploring new ways to help their community.