Sunrise at Lake Atitlan

Sembrando Esperanza , "Planting Hope", is a non-governmental, non profit organization which was started in 2001 by Las Pirámides, with the purpose of supporting the local community of San Marcos La Laguna and its neighbouring towns on Lake Atitlan. The main focus of this support is in the form of Educational, Health-related and Environmental programs and projects. The projects have either been initiated by Sembrando Esperanza or are projects that the organization has simply helped finance. The projects up to now have been financed by donations from Las Pirámides, neighbours and friends in the area but above all from the students and friends of the Centre. For this reason Sembrando Esperanza openly invites all those interested, to make any donations, great or small, for the continuation, growth and improvement of current projects as well as for future projects in development.

Radio Cosmos is a community Radio Station whose aim is to assist the development of San Marcos La Laguna and the neighbouring towns around Lake Atitlan. Its objectives are unification, communication, motivation, education, information, participation, entertainment. Radio Cosmos is associated with The Guatemalan Community Radio Association (ARCG) and the World Community Radio Association (AMARC). It is supported by the Communication Commussion of the Municipal Development Council (COMUDE) and by the Community Development Council (COCODE) in the municipality of San Marcos La Laguna.

In 2004, the Community Pharmacy was set up in order to provide basic subsidized medicines at low costs and easy vailability. The Pharmacy is in need of financial support for a more comprehensive supply of medicines, emergency aid funcing and more professional consultations. Through extensive surveys in the town, we have found that education in healthcase and emergency support are two areas which complicate proper treatments in the clinic. Any donation made can simply help save lives.

Together with the community of San Marcos La Laguna, Las Pirámides organized a rally for the rebuilding of the town's library after it was destroyed by the hurricanes of 2005.

Other Projects
Over the years Sembrando Esperanza has been a part of many smaller beneficial projects:
• The annual fundraising event started in the year 2000 has helped funding for the local schools and educational institutes;
• The construction and maintenance of the town playground is one of the projects which is in need of annual attention;
• Free English classes are given for the local community for anyone interested, sponsored by volunteers;
• Annual forest-fires are a threat to the local water supplies. Sembrando Esperanza has helped support the local efforts made to contain and avoid the destruction of the environment.