Camp Xu'lab in Southern Belize
Donation protected
Sponsor a child to attend Summer Camp for $50
Summer Day Camp for Mopan Mayans
July 17-21, 2017
Summer Camps Build Skills
Children’s summer camps have long been used to create growth opportunities and increase self-esteem by building new skills and making new friendships. Unfortunately, not every child has the chance to benefit from these experiences because they live in underdeveloped regions and come from struggling homes that can’t afford the costs of a summer camp.
Every Child Should Have a Chance
It’s a sad fact that often times children who need our help most are the least likely to receive it because of where they live. By hosting summer camps in underdeveloped countries, Kindle the Spark aims to give more kids a chance to shine. This year we are hosting our day camp in Santa Cruz, Belize located in the Toledo District of Southern Belize approximately thirteen miles from the border with Guatemala.
Camp Xu’lab
Camp Xu’lab is a free to attend summer day camp for 35 underprivileged children ages 9-11 living in the Toledo district of southern Belize. The name, Xu'lab (umlaut over the u), comes from the Mopan Mayan’s word for “star” and was created on the belief that every child deserves a chance to be a star and that children are the stars of the future.
Who are the Mopan Mayans?
Mopan Mayan are one of the Mayan peoples living in Belize and Guatamala and makeup about 3% of the population in Belize. Originally from Belize, the Mopan Mayans fled to Guatemala when the British forced them out of Belize in the 1700’s. Many Mopan Mayans came back to Belize in the late 1800’s when they fled enslavement and unfair taxation in Guatemala.
Today, growing up in Belize’s Southern District of Toledo can be a struggle. Living in the outer regions of a small municipality often means the chances of receiving a good education are severely limited. Add to that the hardships of being from an indigenous culture, and it is not surprising that many children in these regions drop out of school before even making it into High School.
How can Camp Xu’lab help?
Camp Xu’lab provides children a chance to grow and have new experiences in their own neighborhood. They will participate in song and dance lessons, creative art projects, English literacy lessons, one-on-one reading help and receive a hot lunch each day. The camp culminates with a recital where the children showcase what they learned during the week to village elders helping to build confidence and solidify their memory of the skills they learned. The children also get to keep the supplies given to them at camp.
What does your donation cover?
By sponsoring a child, you will be paying for the following items they receive during camp:
- English vocabulary and reading book
- Notebooks, pens, pencils
- Art supplies
- T-shirt with Camp Xu'lab logo
- Hot lunch
- Backpack
One hundred percent of the money raised in this campaign will go directly to fund the camp for the children of Santa Cruz School District. Any left over donations will go towards community outreach programs in the local vicinity after the camp concludes.
Gratitude
The children of our camps love to express their gratitude. For donations of $50 or more, we will send camp supporters a hand-painted Thank You note. Here are a few notes from Camp Chahim 2016 held in Silver Creek Village, Belize.
“Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m glad that you helped donate to this Summer Camp Chahim. I really loved the t-shirt. And I loved singing, dancing and arts. It was so fun. I hope to be in it again. I love you. Thank you. Go in Peace.
Samuel”
“Dear Friend,
Hello friend thanks for the t-shirt you have gave me. Then I want to thank you for our paint and our bags, piñatas and notebook. We have enjoyed summer camp with the things you have sent. May God bless you and your family. Wish Ms. Cindy and Mr. Dave will come next year.
From: Susana Chub”
“Dear Amigo,
Thank you for our shirts and our food and also for our piñata and we enjoyed the camp and we do good painting too. We hope you to send us again next year. May God Bless you all. Thank you for all the things you donated for us. May God bless your family.
Your friend: Kelvin Yatz”
“Dear Sponsor,
I would like to thank you for the wonderful time you have given to us by donating. Thank you!!
Christy”
Kindle the Spark!
The children of the world hold the potential to be future stars but those growing up in under developed regions need help to kindle their spark.
Please donate today!
Who We Are
Camp Founder/Director Cyndie Zikmund has lived and worked in Silicon Valley for over thirty years. When orphaned at 15, neighbors took her into their homes and helped her complete High School. And now she wants to honor their help by giving the gift of education to children struggling in under developed regions. This is the fourth summer camp she has put on and the first of many more.
Dave McMahon – co-founder of Kindle Spark and Camp Counselor has lived and worked in Silicon Valley since 1986. Dave is the Music Director for camp in addition to being a Camp Counselor.
Mr. Bo is the head of the Toledo School District and local authority ensuring the camp has a lasting impact within the school system.
Martha Lopez, Teacher in Toledo School District & Camp Xu'lab Field Director.
Summer Day Camp for Mopan Mayans
July 17-21, 2017
Summer Camps Build Skills
Children’s summer camps have long been used to create growth opportunities and increase self-esteem by building new skills and making new friendships. Unfortunately, not every child has the chance to benefit from these experiences because they live in underdeveloped regions and come from struggling homes that can’t afford the costs of a summer camp.
Every Child Should Have a Chance
It’s a sad fact that often times children who need our help most are the least likely to receive it because of where they live. By hosting summer camps in underdeveloped countries, Kindle the Spark aims to give more kids a chance to shine. This year we are hosting our day camp in Santa Cruz, Belize located in the Toledo District of Southern Belize approximately thirteen miles from the border with Guatemala.
Camp Xu’lab
Camp Xu’lab is a free to attend summer day camp for 35 underprivileged children ages 9-11 living in the Toledo district of southern Belize. The name, Xu'lab (umlaut over the u), comes from the Mopan Mayan’s word for “star” and was created on the belief that every child deserves a chance to be a star and that children are the stars of the future.
Who are the Mopan Mayans?
Mopan Mayan are one of the Mayan peoples living in Belize and Guatamala and makeup about 3% of the population in Belize. Originally from Belize, the Mopan Mayans fled to Guatemala when the British forced them out of Belize in the 1700’s. Many Mopan Mayans came back to Belize in the late 1800’s when they fled enslavement and unfair taxation in Guatemala.
Today, growing up in Belize’s Southern District of Toledo can be a struggle. Living in the outer regions of a small municipality often means the chances of receiving a good education are severely limited. Add to that the hardships of being from an indigenous culture, and it is not surprising that many children in these regions drop out of school before even making it into High School.
How can Camp Xu’lab help?
Camp Xu’lab provides children a chance to grow and have new experiences in their own neighborhood. They will participate in song and dance lessons, creative art projects, English literacy lessons, one-on-one reading help and receive a hot lunch each day. The camp culminates with a recital where the children showcase what they learned during the week to village elders helping to build confidence and solidify their memory of the skills they learned. The children also get to keep the supplies given to them at camp.
What does your donation cover?
By sponsoring a child, you will be paying for the following items they receive during camp:
- English vocabulary and reading book
- Notebooks, pens, pencils
- Art supplies
- T-shirt with Camp Xu'lab logo
- Hot lunch
- Backpack
One hundred percent of the money raised in this campaign will go directly to fund the camp for the children of Santa Cruz School District. Any left over donations will go towards community outreach programs in the local vicinity after the camp concludes.
Gratitude
The children of our camps love to express their gratitude. For donations of $50 or more, we will send camp supporters a hand-painted Thank You note. Here are a few notes from Camp Chahim 2016 held in Silver Creek Village, Belize.
“Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m glad that you helped donate to this Summer Camp Chahim. I really loved the t-shirt. And I loved singing, dancing and arts. It was so fun. I hope to be in it again. I love you. Thank you. Go in Peace.
Samuel”
“Dear Friend,
Hello friend thanks for the t-shirt you have gave me. Then I want to thank you for our paint and our bags, piñatas and notebook. We have enjoyed summer camp with the things you have sent. May God bless you and your family. Wish Ms. Cindy and Mr. Dave will come next year.
From: Susana Chub”
“Dear Amigo,
Thank you for our shirts and our food and also for our piñata and we enjoyed the camp and we do good painting too. We hope you to send us again next year. May God Bless you all. Thank you for all the things you donated for us. May God bless your family.
Your friend: Kelvin Yatz”
“Dear Sponsor,
I would like to thank you for the wonderful time you have given to us by donating. Thank you!!
Christy”
Kindle the Spark!
The children of the world hold the potential to be future stars but those growing up in under developed regions need help to kindle their spark.
Please donate today!
Who We Are
Camp Founder/Director Cyndie Zikmund has lived and worked in Silicon Valley for over thirty years. When orphaned at 15, neighbors took her into their homes and helped her complete High School. And now she wants to honor their help by giving the gift of education to children struggling in under developed regions. This is the fourth summer camp she has put on and the first of many more.
Dave McMahon – co-founder of Kindle Spark and Camp Counselor has lived and worked in Silicon Valley since 1986. Dave is the Music Director for camp in addition to being a Camp Counselor.
Mr. Bo is the head of the Toledo School District and local authority ensuring the camp has a lasting impact within the school system.
Martha Lopez, Teacher in Toledo School District & Camp Xu'lab Field Director.
Organizer
Cyndie Zikmund
Organizer
Redwood City, CA