Xecubal

Community Life:

Xecubal is a village located 2 miles from the municipal seat of Santa Apolonia. 95 families are part of this community, approximately 570 people in total. 95 percent of them are Maya-Kaqchikel, and the rest are Ladino (non-Mayan).
Xecubal means to be on your knees on a “petate,” a kind of traditional bedroll made from plants. This is because traditionally women were on their knees when cooking, they did not use chairs.
There are several committees and authorities in the community, like the COCODE and the community mayor, and also a school committee.
The community was founded 60 years ago by only 2 families.
It has pre-primary and primary schools and 2 evangelical churches, but does not have a health post. When residents need medical attention, they have to travel to Santa Apolonia.
The main economic activity is agriculture, especially corn and beans for sustenance. They produce enough to feed their families only between January and May, needing to buy these staples the rest of the year. They also grow peas and broccoli that are sold to companies for exportation, but the prices they get are very low.
There has been electricity in Xecubal since 2001, and there is a dirt road, which is in good condition most of the year, connecting the community with Santa Apolonia.
With support from the Municipality of Santa Apolonia, they purchased a water spring that will be the source for their water system.

We began our partnership with Xecubal in July 2016, and in June 2018 they completed our programs, including: