I know many of you have been getting a lot of questions from family, friends and donors about Huehuetenango. I hope I can address some of those questions with the nuggets of information below.

Huehuetenango – pronounced “way-way-tuh-nay-n-go” is also known as Huehue or the Mayan Highlands. It is located in the Northwest Region of Guatemala and is approximately 168 miles from Guatemala City (or a 6 hour bus ride) off the Pan-American Highway. Huehue is the last major city before reaching the Mexican border. The population is well over 80,000 and is primarily made up of indigenous Mayan Indians.

Huehue has an incredible history and was long established before the Spanish settled. It was part of the Mam Kingdom during the Classic period (250-900 A.D.), which ruled most of the western highlands until 1525. Huehuetenango or “Xinabahul” in Mayan means place of the ancients or ancestors. There are still numerous archeological sites and colonial architecture in the area.

Huehuetenango has one of the highest concentrations of native Mayans and perhaps the richest in traditions. Inhabitants are mainly from the Mam ethnic group, although the territory is shared with Chuje, Kanjobal and Jacalteca Indians. It is politically divided into 31 municipal districts that differ especially in how people dress. People are generally farmers, shepherds or artisans who manufacture textiles, guitars, fireworks, pottery and baskets. Their main religions are a mixture between the ancient Mayan religion and different Christian elements.

Nestled along the ridges of the Sierra de Los Cuchamatanes (the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America) with altitudes that reach over 13,000 feet, the region has one of the most varied landscapes in all of Guatemala. There are numerous volcanoes in the area, scenic canyons, beautifully formed gullies and massive plateaus. Having such a diverse landscape is one of the reasons for so many different ethnic groups in such a relatively small territory.

Huehue also has a varying climate that ranges from deep cold to hot and humid. Several rivers originate in the area, the Selegua, Cuilco, Chixoy and Salinas. Agriculture is abundant here, roughly all the vegetables and grain for Guatemala is grown in Huehue. However, as we have seen, when there’s a drought in this area the whole country suffers. There is still tremendous poverty and the environment is harsh. From natural disasters to malnutrition and conflicts, this area sees its far share regularly. The need is real and ever present, just ask anyone who has been.

Thank you for taking on this incredible challenge

I will see you all at our next team meeting on August 21st at Sharp.

Please continue to pray for us and our team.

~ Sean