The Maya Area Cultural Heritage Initiative (MACHI) was initiated in 2006 as a means of addressing current threats to the conservation of ancient and modern cultural heritage in the Maya region.

Our mission is to:

• Communicate the value of pre-Hispanic Maya cultural heritage to local populations in the five nations of the Maya region (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador);
• Collaborate with local NGOs and communities in the development of grassroots, informal educational initiatives that familiarize local people with the pre-Hispanic past and the importance of archaeological conservation;
• Encourage local peoples, particularly Maya descendants, to engage in dialogue about the past as a means of enhancing stewardship over archaeological heritage;
• Assist local people in making connections between the Maya past and present by presenting educational materials in Mayan language and juxtaposing modern and ancient traditions and spirituality;
• Disprove misconceptions about the ancient Maya and their descendants; and to
• Promote the sustainable conservation of Maya cultural heritage.

Read the full Mission Statement.

PROJECTS

MACHI Interviews
Belize Toledo Classroom Education
Guatemala Radio Soap Opera
Mexico (Yucatan) Puppet Show
Honduras Children’s Program
Belize Interactive Museum