V i s i t o r A r e a P l a n C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos Children’s Village

Chivarabal, GuatemalaSummer 2015 Internship Project

P R O J E C T S O m O S C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos is an eco-sustainable children’s village located in the remote Mayan village of Chivarabal, Guatemala.

The Canadian 501c non-profit organization was founded by Heather Knox & Greg Kemp and began in-country operations in 2007.

Project Somos’ mission is to provide a safe home and a nurturing, healing environment for poverty-stricken, single mothers who are at-risk of losing their children.

Guatemala is one of the most impoverished nations in the Americas. With a population of 13 million people, 50% live in poverty and an estimated 370,000 orphans are left to fend for themselves.

Project Somos seeks to break the cycle of poverty & child abandonment. Through education and empowerment, it is the ultimate goal of Project Somos to send women & children back into their communities with a renewed sense of self-worth & ability to live happy, self-sustaining lives.

Project Somos believes a child’s best chance at happiness & success is to be able to stay with his/her own mother. They offer educational opportunities, counseling, vocational training, and a variety of other resources to the families they take in.

Project Somos also strives to be as eco-friendly & self-sufficient as possible in designing & constructing its on-site buildings. Rain harvesting, solar energy, sustainably-sourced materials, and organic food production are all integral parts to the village’s infrastructure & operating philosophy.

Who They Are What They Do Why They Do It

Cabana 2

Cabana 3

Cabana 4

Volunteer Dorm (Existing)

Visitor Area Site

Project Somos Site Buildings

Signage Gravel Parking Lot Stairs, Retaining Wall & Landscaping

Pizza Oven Shelter Fire Pit AreaRooftop Terrace

2

Proposed Amenities

Community Hall

Volunteer Dorms Cabanas

1

1

3

4

5

8

6

2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

7

9

Picnic Area

(4 Proposed)(1 Existing, 1 Proposed)

Staff House Organic Agriculture

Fields

Children’sVillage

VisitorArea

(Existing & Proposed Aspects)

Visitor Area Plan

VolunteersThe Project Somos “voluntourism” programs draws hundreds of volunteers to the site each year. Schools, church groups, families, and individuals come to help out with construction projects and assist with other programming for the mothers & children served by Somos. Aside from their philanthropic efforts, volunteers are also drawn to Project Somos due to its close proximity to some of Guatemala’s most popular tourist attractions (i.e. – Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Iximche Ruins). Before, after, and/or during their service, volunteers have the opportunity to explore these destinations & get a feel for the local culture. To better accommodate the volunteers experience, facilities like an additional volunteer dorm, cabanas, and gathering places surrounding the Community Hall have been proposed.

Recently, the Project Somos Visitor Area has also generated attention from a more local demographic of visitors. The Community Hall (completed in 2006) sits on a secluded, idyllic site in the Visitor Area and offers a breathtaking, panoramic view across the canyon from its back patio. Such a picturesque location makes the Community Hall the perfect place to double as an events center when volunteers or Somos programming activities aren’t occupying the space. Such events held at the facility might include:

Proposed additions to the area surrounding the Community Hall – including a parking lot, rooftop terrace seating area, pizza oven shelter, fire pit area, and retaining wall – are intended to better accommodate and generate appeal for these revenue-generating events.

The proposed additions to the Project Somos Visitor Area are aimed to better accommodate two important groups of people to the site: volunteers and special events guests.- Wedding receptions- Quinceaneras - Family reunions- Business seminars/retreats- Yoga retreats, etc.

Special Events Guests

V i s i t o r A r e a W a l k - T h r o u g h

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Visitor Area Site Overview

Front GateExisting

Guest Houses 1 & 2Proposed & Existing

Current Site

Guest House 11

Guest House 22

Guest House 22

Guest House 11

Guest House 2Proposed

Guest House 1Existing

Guest HousesProposed & Existing

Cabanas 1 & 2Proposed Site

Cabana 1Proposed Site

Cabana 2Proposed Site

Community HallProposed & Existing Aspects

Utility AreaProposed

Current Site

SignageProposed

Rooftop TerraceProposed

Current Site

Parking LotProposed

Community HallProposed

Pizza Oven ShelterProposed

Current Site

Lounge AreaExisting

Patio Seating AreaExisting

FountainProposed

Fire Pit AreaProposed

Current Site

Retaining Wall, Stairs & LandscapingProposed

Community HallExisting Back Patio Area

Cabanas 3 & 4 Proposed Site

Cabanas 3 & 4Proposed Site

Cabana 3Proposed

Cabana 4Proposed

Visitor Area Site Overview