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You are receiving this email because of your interest in creating jobs and saving cultural heritage in developing countries.
PEOPLE NOT STONESLast week we officially inaugurated our first project in Guatemala at the site of Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala City.  15 local women artisan-producers have been receiving SPI capacity training since February. This week they spoke about how this project will enable them to realize long held dreams.  Some hope their work with SPI will help them keep their children in school longer.  Others told us about their need to access to medical care for their children and themselves. 
 
For many of these women, this is their first opportunity to enter into the workforce. They are seizing it gratefully and enthusiastically.  Most of these women live in the neighborhood around the site.  Some have joined the project via our alliance with Alianza, a local NGO housing young women who are victims of domestic violence. We look forward to watching these women create their own business as they finish their capacity and product training.
 
We saw the first prototypes of the products that these women will make and sell, including jewelry, bags, baskets and cushions.  They will be marketed under the name of Rebirth Kaminaljuyu, and include interpretations of ancient iconography and the stories of the artisans themselves.  Rebirth Kaminaljuyu is part of the solution to restore the site to a place of relevance and aspiration for local residents. These products will be marketed by our partner Wakami in twenty-four countries around the world, as well as at the site and local stores and museums.



We would like very much to thank our remarkable partners: the archaeologist Barbara Arroyo, director of the site of Kaminaljuyu, and Maria Pacheco and her team at Wakami and Comunidades de la Tierra, for all of their work to enable the women of the community and Alianza to realize their dreams
 
LUIS JAIME CASTILLO JOINS SPI!

We are thrilled that former Peruvian Vice Minister of Culture and leading archaeologist Dr. Luis Jaime Castillo has joined SPI as Director for South America. SPI's first project was a collaboration with Luis Jaime at the site of San Jose de Moro, where he has been project director for more than 20 years.  During his tenure as Vice Minister, he was instrumental in SPI's collaboration and agreement with the government of Peru to preserve the past and alleviate poverty in communities around archaeological sites throughout that country. A Peruvian leader and a strong advocate for SPI paradigms Luis Jaime is a terrific addition to our organization. Luis Jaime will lead our nationwide growth in Peru as well as our expansion to new countries in the region. 
 
 
Luis Jaime Castillo (center), with SPI Executive Director Larry Coben (left) and Qhapaq Ñan Director Giancarlo Marcone at the signing of the collaboration agreement between SPI and the government of Peru

SPI SELECTED FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY!

 
SPI is one of ten charities selected for the prestigious American Express Leadership Academy, held at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.  High-potential managers from 10 nominated international non-profit organizations and NGOs will develop new skills at this prestigious program.  We are thrilled to be joining some of the world's leading charities and look forward to utilizing the results to save more sites and transform more lives. See more here.

LARRY COBEN BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE
 
Our Executive Director Larry Coben's birthday is Thursday (tomorrow!). And all he wants is to help underprivileged women realize their dreams and preserve more patrimony while he’s at it.  So send us a gift between now and the end of the month to celebrate his birthday-and the first $5,000 we receive will be matched by a generous donor.
 
 
Here’s what your contribution can do:

$50.00 allows the weavers at Chotuna-Chornancap to spin a kilo of native cotton.
  
$250.00 allows mothers of the San José de Moro Community to provide lunch to 70 tourists.
 
$500.00 trains 10 community members for a month as artisans at our Pachacamac or Bandurria projects.

$2,000.00 trains 25 women for a month in the Wakami way. 

Make a donation or give an SPI Membership as a gift online today! 
 
You can also donate to SPI when you shop at Amazon.  SPI is a registered Amazon Smile charity, so please bookmark or start shopping on this page and we will receive .5% of whatever you spend on the site.  A great way to save sites and transform lives while doing your holiday shopping.  
 
Stay up to date on SPI news by visiting us at our website, official blog People Not Stones, our Twitter (@SPInitiative) Facebook, and Pinterest pages.

 
Thank you again for your continued support,
Larry Coben and the Sustainable Preservation Initiative
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357 N. Bonhill Rd
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