Visitor Area Walk-Through

V i s i t o r A r e a P l a n

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos Children’s VillageChivarabal, Chimaltenango, Guatemala

Summer 2015 Internship Project

P R O J E C T S O m O S

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos is an eco-sustainable

children’s village located in the remote

Mayan village of Chivarabal,

Guatemala.

The Canadian 501c non-profit

organization was founded by Heather

Knox & Greg Kemp and began in-

country operations in 2007.

Project Somos’ mission is to provide a

safe home and a nurturing, healing

environment for poverty-stricken,

single mothers who are at-risk of losing

their children.

Guatemala is one of the most impov-

erished nations in the Americas. With a

population of 13 million people, 50% live

in poverty and an estimated 370,000

orphans are left to fend for themselves.

Project Somos seeks to break the cycle of

poverty & child abandonment. Through

education and empowerment, it is the

ultimate goal of Project Somos to send

women & children back into their

communities with a renewed sense of self-

worth & ability to live happy, self-

sustaining lives.

Project Somos believes a child’s best

chance at happiness & success is to be

able to stay with his/her own mother. They

offer educational opportunities, counseling,

vocational training, and a variety of other

resources to the families they take in.

Project Somos also strives to be as eco-

friendly & self-sufficient as possible in des-

igning & constructing its on-site buildings.

Rain harvesting, solar energy, sustainably

sourced materials, and organic food prod-

uction are all integral parts to the village’s

infrastructure & operating philosophy.

Who They Are What They Do Why They Do It

P R O J E C T S O m O S

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos is an eco-sustainable

children’s village located in the remote

Kaqchikel Mayan village of Chivarabal,

Guatemala.

The Canadian 501c non-profit

organization was founded by Heather

Knox & Greg Kemp and began in-

country operations in 2007.

Project Somos’ mission is to provide a

safe home and a nurturing, healing

environment for poverty-stricken,

single mothers who are at-risk of losing

their children.

Guatemala is one of the most impov-

erished nations in the Americas. With a

population of 13 million people, 50% live

in poverty and an estimated 370,000

orphans are left to fend for themselves.

Project Somos seeks to break the cycle of

poverty & child abandonment. Through

education and empowerment, it is the

ultimate goal of Project Somos to send

women & children back into their

communities with a renewed sense of self-

worth & ability to live happy, self-

sustaining lives.

Project Somos believes a child’s best

chance at happiness & success is to be

able to stay with his/her own mother. They

offer educational opportunities, counseling,

vocational training, and a variety of other

resources to the families they take in.

Project Somos also strives to be as eco-

friendly & self-sufficient as possible in des-

igning & constructing its on-site buildings.

Rain harvesting, solar energy, sustainably

sourced materials, and organic food prod-

uction are all integral parts to the village’s

infrastructure & operating philosophy.

Who They Are What They Do Why They Do It

P R O J E C T S O m O S

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos is an eco-sustainable

children’s village located in the remote

Mayan village of Chivarabal,

Guatemala.

The Canadian 501c non-profit

organization was founded by Heather

Knox & Greg Kemp and began in-

country operations in 2007.

Project Somos’ mission is to provide a

safe home and a nurturing, healing

environment for poverty-stricken,

single mothers who are at-risk of losing

their children.

Guatemala is one of the most impov-

erished nations in the Americas. With a

population of 13 million people, 50% live

in poverty and an estimated 370,000

orphans are left to fend for themselves.

Project Somos seeks to break the cycle of

poverty & child abandonment. Through

education and empowerment, it is the

ultimate goal of Project Somos to send

women & children back into their

communities with a renewed sense of self-

worth & ability to live happy, self-

sustaining lives.

Project Somos believes a child’s best

chance at happiness & success is to be

able to stay with his/her own mother. They

offer educational opportunities, counseling,

vocational training, and a variety of other

resources to the families they take in.

Project Somos also strives to be as eco-

friendly & self-sufficient as possible in des-

igning & constructing its on-site buildings.

Rain harvesting, solar energy, sustainably

sourced materials, and organic food prod-

uction are all integral parts to the village’s

infrastructure & operating philosophy.

Who They Are What They Do Why They Do It

P R O J E C T S O m O S

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

Project Somos is an eco-sustainable

children’s village located in the remote

Mayan village of Chivarabal,

Guatemala.

The Canadian 501c non-profit

organization was founded by Heather

Knox & Greg Kemp and began in-

country operations in 2007.

Project Somos’ mission is to provide a

safe home and a nurturing, healing

environment for poverty-stricken,

single mothers who are at-risk of losing

their children.

Guatemala is one of the most impov-

erished nations in the Americas. With a

population of 13 million people, 50% live

in poverty and an estimated 370,000

orphans are left to fend for themselves.

Project Somos seeks to break the cycle of

poverty & child abandonment. Through

education and empowerment, it is the

ultimate goal of Project Somos to send

women & children back into their

communities with a renewed sense of self-

worth & ability to live happy, self-

sustaining lives.

Project Somos believes a child’s best

chance at happiness & success is to be

able to stay with his/her own mother. They

offer educational opportunities, counseling,

vocational training, and a variety of other

resources to the families they take in.

Project Somos also strives to be as eco-

friendly & self-sufficient as possible in des-

igning & constructing its on-site buildings.

Rain harvesting, solar energy, sustainably

sourced materials, and organic food prod-

uction are all integral parts to the village’s

infrastructure & operating philosophy.

Who They Are What They Do Why They Do It

Project Somos Site

Staff

House

Organic Agriculture

Fields

Children’s

Village

Visitor

Area

The proposed additions

to the Project Somos

Visitor Area are aimed

to better accommodate

two important groups of

people to the site:

volunteers and

special events

guests.

Visitor Area Plan

Cabana 2

Cabana 3

Cabana 4

Volunteer Dorm

(Existing)

Visitor Area Site

Project Somos SiteBuildings

Signage Gravel Parking Lot Stairs, Retaining Wall & Landscaping

Pizza Oven Shelter Fire Pit AreaRooftop Terrace

2

Proposed Amenities

Community Hall

Volunteer Dorms Cabanas

1

1

3

4

5

8

6

2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

7

9

Picnic

Area

(4 Proposed)(1 Existing, 1 Proposed)

Staff

HouseOrganic Agriculture

Fields

Children’s

Village

Visitor

Area

(Existing & Proposed Aspects)

Volunteers

The Project Somos “voluntourism” programs

draws hundreds of volunteers to the site

each year. Schools, church groups, families,

and individuals come to help out with

construction projects and assist with other

programming for the mothers & children

served by Somos. Aside from their

philanthropic efforts, volunteers are also

drawn to Project Somos due to its close

proximity to some of Guatemala’s most

popular tourist attractions (Antigua, Lake

Atitlan, Iximche Ruins). Before, after, and/or

during their service, volunteers have the

opportunity to explore these destinations &

get a feel for the local culture. To better

accommodate the volunteer experience,

facilities like an additional volunteer dorm,

cabanas, and gathering places surrounding

the Community Hall have been proposed.

Visitor Area Plan

Cabana 2

Cabana 3

Cabana 4

Volunteer Dorm

(Existing)

Visitor Area Site

Project Somos SiteBuildings

Signage Gravel Parking Lot Stairs, Retaining Wall & Landscaping

Pizza Oven Shelter Fire Pit AreaRooftop Terrace

2

Proposed Amenities

Community Hall

Volunteer Dorms Cabanas

1

1

3

4

5

8

6

2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

7

9

Picnic

Area

(4 Proposed)(1 Existing, 1 Proposed)

Staff

HouseOrganic Agriculture

Fields

Children’s

Village

Visitor

Area

(Existing & Proposed Aspects)

Recently, the Project Somos Visitor Area

has also generated attention from a more

local demographic of visitors. The

Community Hall (completed in 2006) sits on

a secluded, idyllic site in the Visitor Area

and offers a breathtaking, panoramic view

across the canyon from its back patio.

Such a picturesque location makes the

Community Hall the perfect place to double

as an events center when volunteers or

Somos programming activities aren’t

occupying the space. Such events held at

the facility might include:

- Wedding receptions

- Quinceaneras

- Family reunions

- Business seminars/retreats

- Yoga retreats, etc.

Special Events Guests

Visitor Area Plan

Cabana 2

Cabana 3

Cabana 4

Volunteer Dorm

(Existing)

Visitor Area Site

Project Somos SiteBuildings

Signage Gravel Parking Lot Stairs, Retaining Wall & Landscaping

Pizza Oven Shelter Fire Pit AreaRooftop Terrace

2

Proposed Amenities

Community Hall

Volunteer Dorms Cabanas

1

1

3

4

5

8

6

2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

7

9

Picnic

Area

(4 Proposed)(1 Existing, 1 Proposed)

Staff

HouseOrganic Agriculture

Fields

Children’s

Village

Visitor

Area

(Existing & Proposed Aspects)

Proposed additions to the area

surrounding the Community Hall –

including a parking lot, rooftop terrace

seating area, pizza oven shelter, fire pit

area, and retaining wall – are intended to

better accommodate and generate

appeal for these revenue-generating

events.

Special Events Guests

Visitor Area Plan

V i s i t o r A r e a

Wa l k - T h ro u g h

C H I L D R E N ’ S V I L L A G E

S I G N A G E C O M M U N I T Y H A L L P A R K I N G L O T G U E S T H O U S I N G

R O O F T O P T E R R A C E C A B A N A S S C E N I C V I E W S R E C R E A T I O N A L A R E A S

Visitor AreaSite Overview

Front GateExisting

Current Site

Guest Houses 1 & 2Proposed & Existing

Guest House 22

Guest House 11

Guest House 2Proposed

Guest House 1Existing

Guest HousesProposed & Existing

Cabanas 1 & 2Proposed Site

Cabana 1Proposed Site

Cabana 2Proposed Site

Community HallProposed & Existing Aspects

Current Site

Utility AreaProposed

SignageProposed

Current Site

Rooftop TerraceProposed

Parking LotProposed

Community HallProposed

Pizza Oven ShelterProposed

Current Site

Lounge AreaExisting

Patio Seating AreaExisting

FountainProposed

Fire Pit AreaProposed

Current Site

Retaining Wall, Stairs & LandscapingProposed

Community HallExisting Back Patio Area

Cabanas 3 & 4 Proposed Site

Cabanas 3 & 4Proposed Site

Cabana 3Proposed

Cabana 4Proposed

Visitor AreaSite Overview