Hekab Be Summer Camp

— Courtesy of Betsy Amy-Vogt at Hekab Be Library

Everyone had a fantastic time at Hekab Be Summer Camp!

For three weeks, Hekab Be was transformed into summer camp as we explored the art and culture of Mexico, learning about the traditions of our local Maya, as well as the Aztec and Huichol cultures through crafts, theater, sports, dance, and cooking.

A total of 64 children attended camp this year, and we’re proud that tuition and supplies were covered thanks to generous donations from our friends, families of the children attending, and the Akumal business community. Thank you all!  Judging from their smiles, the children had lots of fun.  Camp ended with a big celebration, where each class of children performed a play, and everyone danced the traditional Aztec “danza de los concheros,” complete with traditional dress. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concheros

The smallest children, aged 3 to 5, were taught by Kaori. They learned about native animals from the Yucatan jungle. In their play, two explorers went into the jungle to meet the animals and learn their names in Maya.

Lucy taught the 6 to 9 year old, who performed a play about the legend of “El hijo del Maguey”.  This traditional Mexican legend tells the story of Meconetzin, the son of the agave, and the fall of the Toltec civilization.

The older group, ages 10 to 13, were taught by Elizabeth, and created a play based on the Maya and Aztec gods.  They not only performed, but wrote and directed the play and created their own (very realistic) costumes of the gods.

Every child who attended summer camp left with a backpack filled with supplies for the new school year, and an additional 26 backpacks with supplies were given to children who attend class at Hekab Be during the year, but were unable to attend summer camp.

Working together for the Akumal Art Festival

It wouldn’t be an Art Festival without art from the children! As part of the upcoming festival https://www.facebook.com/AkumalArtsFestival/ scheduled for this November, we are working with the Akumal public schools and Otoch Paal Montessori to decorate the Pueblo with beautiful, hand-painted fabric flags. We wanted to make flags that would last a while, and not become trash to litter the streets, so we are painting on fabric which will naturally decompose after a period of time. We want to include ALL the children of Akumal in this project, so if your child goes to school outside Akumal and wants to paint a flag, please contact Kaori https://www.facebook.com/Hekab/ to make sure they get an opportunity to be part of this event.

 

 

 

 

 

We are entering the Fall semester excited and energized, with a great group of children and volunteers. If you’d like to help out, please stop by Hekab Be any weekday between noon and 6:00pm, or contact us.

Thank you for everything you do to help us provide educational and cultural opportunities for the children of Akumal.