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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
