The Montoyas, both natives of Colorado, work in a variety of settings in Guatemala. Kelly teaches English in the schools and works with Mayan women's groups creating sustainable medicinal herbal gardening programs and cooking classes. Mosiah is developing programs to help teens set career and life goals and work to accomplish them. Both Kelly and Mosiah emphasized to the students the importance of learning a second language and becoming culturally sensitive and geographically educated in light of the 21st Century marketplace of today. A highlight of the presentation was demonstrating the traje tipico (traditional dress) of a Mayan woman from Quezaltenango. Various girls were chosen to dress in the corte (skirt), delantal (apron) and huipile (blouse) that most Mayan women continue to wear in Guatemala.
Kelly and Mosiah Montoya, Peace Corps volunteers serving in Salcaja, Guatemala, gave four different presentations to students at both Ridgway Elementary and Secondary Schools
Peace Corps couple talk cultures
May 21, 2008
Ridgway students were treated to information straight from Central America last week.
On Tuesday, May 13, Kelly and Mosiah Montoya, Peace Corps volunteers serving in Salcaja, Guatemala, gave four different presentations to students at both Ridgway Elementary and Secondary Schools.
The young volunteers gave an overview of the Peace Corps mission of "promoting world peace and friendship" through meeting the needs of men and women in host countries, establishing relationships in the host country that exemplifies positive American culture and understanding and accepting other peoples by Americans.
They also presented a cultural snapshot of the diversity of Guatemalan people groups, languages, and geography.
The Montoyas, both natives of Colorado, work in a variety of settings in Guatemala. Kelly teaches English in the schools and works with Mayan women's groups creating sustainable medicinal herbal gardening programs and cooking classes. Mosiah is developing programs to help teens set career and life goals and work to accomplish them.
Both Kelly and Mosiah emphasized to the students the importance of learning a second language and becoming culturally sensitive and geographically educated in light of the 21st Century marketplace of today.
A highlight of the presentation was demonstrating the traje tipico (traditional dress) of a Mayan woman from Quezaltenango. Various girls were chosen to dress in the corte (skirt), delantal (apron) and huipile (blouse) that most Mayan women continue to wear in Guatemala.
The fabric arts, including weaving and embroidery, are a mainstay of the Guatemalan economy and the lively fabrics that were on display were but a sampling of the fine work found throughout Guatemala. Mayan women and some men still proudly wear the traje tipico as part of their cultural identity and heritage.
— Special to The Ridgway Sun
