HELP MESOAMERICA AND THEIR COMMUNITIES
MayanToons has been participating in multiple projects throughout the past years with FLAAR Mesoamérica, our main organization. We have helped many communities around Guatemala by implementing our vision, which promotes knowledge, research, and conservation of natural resources of Guatemala and Mesoamérica.
You can donate to help grow and support the work that MayanToons do for Mesoamerica but also for Guatemala and their communities. You can donate using Paypal or wire transfers, more information and links for transactions are below. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
About the Donation Process
You can help us thru your Paypal Account, or via Wire Transfer locally or internationally.
All transactions are safe and will provide a payment verification to your email registered in Paypal or your bank. If you don’t receive an email, please send us an email at mayantoons@flaar.org
One of our main focuses is to create footprints in what we do. Our goal is to reach as many communities as we can, so we can approach to educate more groups of people by providing them with helpful tools not just to educate them, but to teach them how to continue learning about the natural and cultural wealth of Guatemala and the Mesoamerican region that can enhance the wellbeing of the population in many ways.
Our research team is eager to learn and to educate more about different flora and fauna species from Guatemala. All of this information is processed and turned into children-like content so we can educate kids with innovative, visual, and interesting videos, activities, and graphic information. With the help of multiple companies around the world, we have been able to provide kids from rural schools with printed educational material that we can donate to different parts of Guatemala.
We believe that we can create an educational environment with research, and community building of close relationships between the incredible cultures we can find within all of the different Guatemalan regions and the rest of the world. We invite you to review our projects and help us achieve our goals by supporting them. We also invite you to like and share our social media content so we can be known by more people around the world.
MUNICIPIO DE LIVINGSTON, IZABAL
We have made and printed alphabet blankets, acrylic alphabet letters, native animal posters on vinyl. This material has been donated to the Official Rural School “Escula rural mixta Plan Grande Tatín, Livingston, Izabal.” for training their workers and municipal programs for children and education.
Where was the donation made?
During FLAAR Mesoamerica’s Flora and Fauna Biodiversity project of Livingston, together with the Municipality and the administration of Mayor Engineer Daniel Esaú Pinto Peña, members of the MayanToons team (Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth, Project manager Vivian Díaz, Photographer Senaida Ba) brought educational material to the school that is located at the entrance to Cueva del Tigre, Municipio de Livingston, Izabal. Also, during a visit to the Alcalde’s office on the Palacio Municipal, MayanToons donated material to the Major which can be given to the school that is most in need.
What material was delivered?
Materials such as blankets printed with the alphabet in three languages (Maya Q’eqchi, Spanish and English), letters of the alphabet printed in acrylic, and posters of native animals on vinyl were donated.
The Official Rural Mixed School Plan Grande Tatín, Livingston, Izabal, is located at the entrance of the Cueva del Tigre tourist walk. The donated material can be used to complement the learning of elementary school children who attend that school. You can also use this material, download it, print it and share it!
http://www.mayantoons.org/index.php/printables/
In addition, our animated videos, especially episode # 1, “My Treetop Friends” is inspired by the animals that inhabit the jungles and mountains of Livingston. Watch the animated video on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G7aTJcgf98&feature=youtu.be
You can help too!
With your donation, we will be able to print more educational material, create new animated videos, and take it to the children in the rural schools of Livingston.
→ Donate with your PayPal account
Visit the official page of the Livingston Flora and Fauna Documentation project at:
https://flaar-mesoamerica.org/rain-forests-rivers-lakes-bays-ocean-caves-canyons-livingston-the- caribbean-biodiversity-wonderland-of-guatemala/
Parque Nacional Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo, Petén
We have made posters of native animals on vinyl to train their park rangers. This can also be used in activities with children at the Park Museum. In addition to coloring pictures of animals related to water and riddles of water birds for World Water Day 2019.
Where was the donation made?
The Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo National Park (PNYNN) is one of the protected areas within the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (together with the emblematic Tikal Park). Abundant jungles protect vestiges of the ancient Mayan civilization. Here are the wetlands, unique and very important ecosystems for aquatic biodiversity (considered a RAMSAR site). Yaxha is home to flag species such as the Jaguar, the White Turtle, and the Swamp Crocodile. It’s even home to one of our favorite waterbirds: the Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius). FLAAR Mesoamérica, with its Flora and Fauna documentation team in 2019, explored many ecosystems in the park and had the opportunity to deliver MayanToons educational material.
You can learn more about the PNYNN here: https://visityaxha.com/en/
What material was delivered?
During the first phase of the project (2018-2019), 14 kits were delivered (to 14 schools near the PNYNN) with posters on the following topics: Yaxha mammals; Yaxha waterbirds; the alphabet of native plants, posters with numbers, colors and shapes in English, Spanish and Q’eqchi’, along with posters of Mayan length measurements.
In March 2019, the park staff invited school students to commemorate World Water Day. The invitations, besides an educational talk, included our coloring pages of some of the animals that live in the wetlands of the area. On March 20th, members of the MayanToons team (Project Manager Vivian Díaz and MayanToons Manager Mariana Cabrera) played Yaxha’s giant memory game of waterbirds with more than 100 children from the Petén area.
You can help too!
For 2021 we look forward to the expansion of the Documentation Project in PNYNN of the Flora and Fauna division (together with CONAP), so we can take more material to the 14 schools near the protected area.
Educational material for rural schools in Alta Verapaz department
We have made posters of native animals on vinyl, alphabet blankets, acrylic letters of the alphabet, letters of the alphabet of fruits and vegetables to complement the Natural Environment and Language classes. The following schools of Senahú: Official Nursery School, Official School of Parcelamiento Concepción Chipemech Official School Nuevo Seamay. In Cobán: Official School Aldea Camcal. In Cahabón Official School Aldea Tzalamtun.
Where was the donation made?
The Q’eqchi’ people from Alta Verapaz mountains have hosted the FLAAR Mesoamerica and MayanToonsteams on several occasions.SchoolshavebeenvisitedinthemunicipalitiesofSenahú, Cobán, and Cahabón. The teachers have also given us suggestions to improve the material and make it more useful for the students. MayanToons educational material has been donated to several schools:
- Official Nursery School -Senahú
- Mixed Rural Official School Parcelamiento Concepción Chipemech -Senahú Mixed Rural Official School Nuevo Seamay -Senahú
- Mixed Rural Official School Aldea Camcal -Cobán
- Mixed Rural Official School Aldea Tzalamtun -Cahabón
What material was delivered?
In the Alta Verapaz schools we have donated posters of native animals printed on vinyl, alphabet blankets, acrylic letters of the alphabet and letters of the alphabet with fruits and vegetables. On top of that, the MayanToons team receives all the recommendations from the teachers to improve all the material they need.
The MayanToons educational book series, “Adventures in the Wild” is especially inspired by the children of Q’eqchi’s villages who live with extraordinary animals and plants in their daily lives.
Stay tuned for the launch of our educational books and discover the 5 series that we have prepared here:
www.mayantoons.org/index.php/educational-books/
You can help too!
Your donation will allow us not only to create and print more books, but also to translate them to different mayan languages, like Q’eqchi’.
Collaborations for kids and families at the Botanical Garden
CECON-USAC Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico) / Museum of Natural History -MUSHNAT, Guatemala:
We have created educational material for several activities: coloring and guided activities for Pollinator Day in 2018 and 2019; drawing workshops during the “Jaguar Club” (Club del Jaguar); activity sheets to commemorate “The Magic of the Dry Forest” (“La Magia del Bosque Seco”) and dinosaurs.
Where was the donation made?
These activities have been carried out mostly in the facilities of the Botanical Garden, located in Guatemala City, Avenida La Reforma, zona 10. Here the material is not only delivered, but also worked with the children.
What material was delivered?
For Pollinator Day, MayanToons has donated coloring sheets about native bees and butterflies, mammal pollinators like bats and kinkajou (Potos flavus). We also included activities guided by our experts, and additional data while kids and family shared and asked questions. Our illustration team created video tutorials to teach step by step how to draw felines and creatures of the dry forest. Many people shared the videos with their children, nephews, and little brothers, so they could have a little fun while participating in an educational activity.
Coloring and activity sheets on dinosaurs created by MayanToons are planned to be given to the kids during the Paleofest on the Botanical Garden at Avenida Reforma. We cannot wait until the moment we can finally gather and share with families and kids fun activities and knowledge again.
Commemorating the dry forest ecosystem (El Progreso and Zacapa Departments of Guatemala) we were invited to the virtual activities from “The Magic of the Dry Forest”. The “Corredor” of Bosque Seco is a cacti-filled “desert” area with remarkable flora and fauna. Any time you drive to Tikal, Yaxha, or Livingston, your highway is CA9, which passes parallel to this dry area, especially between km. 90 and 100 (but also before and after). The ecosystems change slightly every 50 kilometers.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we can continue carrying out these activities and educational material with institutions such as CECON-USAC, educating and promoting the preservation of our resources and species.
Educational material and activities to protect the Oceans
ONG Semillas del Océano, Guatemala-Izabal:
Semillas del Oceano, an institution that provides educational resources about the importance and conservation of the oceans, has always welcomed MayanToons to join and share educational activities. Also, we participate in their First Kids’ Drawing Contest.
Where was the donation made?
Since 2018 we have been collaborating together, we have donated coloring and guided activities about Marine species at the family weekend passage at Guatemala City (“Pasos y Pedales” is a Sunday activity done in Avenida Las Américas, near the International Airport La Aurora).
Also, we have donated educational gifts for activities on their social media pages and, past 2020, prizes and jury of their First Kids’ coloring contests about the Humpback Whale.
What material was delivered?
Our design, research, and illustration teams prepared a series of coloring sheets with marine mammals (manatees, dolphins and whales), sharks, fish, turtles and mangroves; everything about marine and coastal ecosystems!
Download the colorings sheet for you, your family and your friends
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we can continue carrying out activities and educational material for our marine friends at Semillas del Océano, educating and promoting the preservation of the ocean’s resources.
Efforts to protect the biggest feline in America: the Jaguar
NGO Panthera, Guatemala-Izabal:
We have created educational material such as coloring sheets, stickers, lottery, masks, posters, infographics, and guided activities (2018-2020) for children in Guatemala City and Izabal to raise awareness about the importance, of conservation, and admiration of the big felines of America.
Where was the donation made?
The activities carried out with NGO Panthera have taken place in the facilities of the Botanical Garden during the Week of the Jaguar, in the month of November, year after year. Together we have celebrated and shared drawing workshops during the “Jaguar Club” (Club del Jaguar). During these activities, not only the material was delivered, but we have guided activities by our team.
What material was delivered?
Throughout these years, various educational materials have been delivered to this institution for this activity, such as information sheets for coloring, the jaguar lottery, posters to explain the jaguar rosettes, stickers, infographics, and masks, which have also been delivered with guided accompaniment. Panthera ONG (www.panthera.org) is the host for American institutions that join every November to raise awareness of the conservation status and importance of the feline Panthera onca.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we can continue to be part of the Month of the Jaguar year after year with Panthera, to continue educating children about the most impressive feline in the country.
Educational material for the National Zoo
Zoológico Nacional La Aurora -Ciudad de Guatemala:
We have created posters of “Most trafficked animals in Guatemala” and “Map of Guatemala and Endangered Animals” used for school tours and for each classroom of students and teachers who visit them. Also, we have collaborated on the design of their educational material for Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti (endemic reptile of Guatemala and relative of gila monster) and Marine Turtles.
Where was the donation made?
We have worked for the La Aurora Zoo, located in Guatemala City. The Zoo has exhibitions of native Guatemalan animals, which have also served us to continue creating an extensive photographic archive and to have live references for our drawings and animated videos.
What material was delivered?
For the Aurora Zoo we have donated posters for students and teachers who visit the facilities, about the trafficking of animals in Guatemala, also a map of Guatemala where we locate the animals in danger of extinction. We were also asked to elaborate a fanzine and a poster of their heloderma project (the gila monster), to raise awareness about its possible extinction due to the lack of information. We are currently developing educational material on sea turtles that consists of a fanzine and a coloring book, to educate the locals about the protection of them on the area of the Pacific ocean beaches, at “La costa Sur”.
You can help too!
Supporting us with your donation we can continue creating material for the La Aurora Zoo, a direct way to educate students, teachers and families who visit its facilities day after day, and thus continue to promote the preservation of our species.
Felines from Guatemala – Scouts kids’ environmental badge
Boy Scouts de Guatemala – Mapa en Relieve, Guatemala City:
We have carried out an educational activity with the children’s group of scouts in Guatemala, mainly promoting topics about the five native felines of Guatemala. Through games, coloring sheets, and the creation of masks Balamchecito (our jaguar mascot in MayanToons) was awarded the Explorer’s badge for his commitment to the environment.
Where was the donation made?
This activity was done on the Relief Map (Mapa en relieve), located in zone 2 of Guatemala City. A perfect place for outdoor activities with large green areas and abundant vegetation. During the activity we played games and dynamics with various groups of boy and girl scouts.
What material was delivered?
For this activity coloring sheets of the felines of Guatemala and masks of Balamchecito, the jaguar, were delivered to assemble, in addition this material was delivered in a guided way and with activities led by our experts and Balamchecito, our mascot!
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we can continue developing activities with our Guatemalan children and youth, such as those of the Scout group, providing them with information about our flora and fauna in order to continue preserving it.
Donation of educational material for an alliance with Nature by Overgenius
Nature by Overgenius, Guatemala:
Printed books on Bird Parade (Desfile de aves), “MacAwesome, the Scarlet Macaw” (MacAwesome, la guacamaya roja), and “Waterbirds Parade” (Desfile de aves acuáticas) were donated for the children who participated in bird watching activities at Finca El Amate, Villa Canales. Donation of educational coloring material about native fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet in the Overgenius Family Coexistence.
Where was the donation made?
Nature by Overgenius is a family initiative that seeks to promote new ideas and ventures on caring for the environment. We have donated different materials for their educational activities. One of them was taken near the Pacaya Volcano, Amatitlán, Guatemala (las faldas del Volcán de Pacaya). There, the children and their families went on a bird watching tour.
See a summary of the activity by clicking here:
On another occasion, an activity and coloring sheet was donated. It was about the native Guatemalan foods that they could find in an organic market.
What material was delivered?
We deliver 7 illustrated children’s reading books in English and Spanish with the titles “Native Bird Contest”, “McAwesome la Guacamaya” and “Oropendola, the architect bird”, so children can learn more about the birds that inhabit our territory in addition to having the experience of participating in birdwatching. Also, we donated the design of an activity sheet and coloring (“the supermarket list”) with information about healthy and native foods that you could find in an organic market. In it the kids find products like: avocado, honey, cocoa or chocolate, tomatoes, and many other foods.
You can help too!
Supporting us with your donation to be able to print more books and support other initiatives with educational material from MayanToons.
Collaboration with PETmi, for animal lovers
PetMi Magazine, Guatemala:
We participate in informative sections on native wildlife in PetMi magazine. Collaborations in the 2019 and 2021 calendars.
Where was the donation made?
PETmi is a free magazine that circulates in Guatemala City and is distributed by pet and veterinary shops. PETmi is the space where animal lovers can find references for different services, products and now: information on wild species of the region. Since we share admiration for the fauna, we have participated for two consecutive years in its annual calendar and raffles.
What material was delivered?
We have made illustrations to commemorate the months that refer to wildlife. In addition, related to the beginning of classes, we have adapted an alphabet of native animals in three languages: Q’eqchi’, Spanish and English.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we will be able to develop more material and support other initiatives with the MayanToons educational material.
Birthday postcards with activities about the Felines
Bagize Reusable Bags -Guatemala City:
In February 2020 Bagize started a new division for kid’s party supplies as a response of the traditional plastic games and toys that pollute the environment (once the toy gets lost, or the kid gets bored of it it becomes useless plastic waste)
Where was the donation made?
Bagize Reusable Bags is a Guatemalan online shop centered on offering plastic-less, sustainable, recycled, reusable accessories for everyday living. Bagize asked MayanToons to create a nice souvenir for a Feline themed party. Soon this postcards will be available on Bagize Reusable Bags online shop by their instagram and facebook page.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation we can do research about more and new educational material so people can ask MayanToons to propose innovative ideas to educate kids about nature.
Identification and observation of bats at night with kids
BioFest 2019 -Guatemala City:
A guide to identifying bats and night sightings of these flying mammals at Parque Ecológico Cayalá (zone 16, Guatemala city) during the Biofest. It was a festival that seeks to create environmental awareness in the entire Guatemalan population. For this, they carried out many activities during the month of November 2019. We participated in an activity aimed at the children of the city.
Where was the donation made?
One of the meeting points of the biofest was a remnant forest in zone 16 of the city of Guatemala. Here, in the Cayalá Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico Cayalá), families gathered for an evening were able to learn more about the bats that live in the ravines near our houses.
What material was delivered?
MayanToons have a special interest in bats (especially those that feed on blood). We prepare educational material to color and differentiate the species of bats that have been reported for the city. During the Biofest, in the bat evening, we were able to meet with the biologist José Cajas and Julio Carlos Guevara some species that live in the city’s forests.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation we can illustrate and research groups of animals in the city so the kids can familiarize themselves with the remnant nature that surrounds them.
Virtual workshops: My friends from the ecosystems
Virtual workshops for children GuatePassport – Mundo Idioma, Guatemala City:
GuatePassport and Mundo Idioma invited the MayanToons team to give virtual workshops about the biodiversity of Guatemala. The workshops were based on the first three animated episodes of MayanToons.
GuatePassport is an enthusiastic group dedicated to getting to know and promoting every corner of Guatemala and its nearby countries. They started promoting small artisans, restaurants, tourism guides, and producers, for free. Over time they integrated the environmental issue, concerned about destroying the ecosystems they visited on their tours.
Where was the donation made?
Mundo Idioma is a company dedicated to education and innovation that believes that a change in the traditional educational system is necessary to develop skills and abilities hand in hand with technological resources.
During the coronavirus pandemic, GuatePassport and Mundo Idioma invited the MayanToons team to give virtual workshops about the biodiversity of Guatemala. The workshops were based on the first three animated episodes of MayanToons. GuatePassport and Mundo Idioma provided support during the workshops and they took care of the payments and the corresponding procedures (US$8 per child). At the end of the 3 sessions, 21 kids attended virtually.
What material was delivered?
Three virtual workshops were held including educational coloring brochures based on the animated videos. It was a good opportunity for more girls and boys from all around the world but, especially Guatemalans, to learn about native nature.
You can help too!
By supporting us with your donation, we will be able to develop more workshops with the MayanToons educational material and to create more animated videos!