Born in this county a new ‘chapines’ association

NORTH COUNTY — Less than six months ago in San Diego, an organization comprised of Guatemalan residents was formed.

 With the spirit to help each other and spread their culture and traditions, a group of ‘chapines’ united last February to elect the board of directors for the first Guatemalan Association of San Diego.

 “Our mission is to promote our culture so all Guatemalans who live in San Diego and far from our country can remember our traditions and customs, while at the same time unite us and to support each other continuing to improve lives”, Edwin Villela, president of the new association said.

 According to Villela the idea to form an association of chapines arose last year when a small group of Guatemalans gathered together to organize a celebration for their country’s independence.

 “Just around this time last year several of our friends and fellows from Guatemala united trying to organize a party to celebrate our independence on September 15. Although many of us had tried individually to do something to promote our culture and customs here, after this reunion all of us agreed that we need to create a formal group. In February we established the board of directors of our association”, Villela added.

 The association of Guatemalans in San Diego is headed by President Edwin Villela who has lived in San Diego for 19 years; vice-president Pablo Cristobal; secretary Vilma Joralmón; treasurer Edgar Escobar, and public relations Ana Lourdes Encinias.

 “All the board members are residents of San Diego. Some are small business owners. Others are teachers or have jobs in related to educational field or community, and others are professionals that are interested in serving and representing our people”, Encinias said.

 The goal of the founders of this association is to serve as a bridge to help the new migrant Guatemalans, young field workers, and all their countrymen and women who live in San Diego to obtain aid to improve their living standards.

 According to Villela and Encinias there is a huge Guatemalan community in San Diego especially in North County areas: Fallbrook, Valley Center, Escondido, Oceanside, and Poway. However, the chapines’ community is increasing fast throughout the entire San Diego County.

 The founders of this new association said that the greater problem of this community is that their people are dispersed; many of them live in difficult conditions and in the shadows, and it is the main reason why they limit their adaptation to this country.

 “We want that our people know the good opportunities available in this country; they can learn English and other skills that allow them to improve the quality of their lives, so we are going to be their guides and at the same time, altogether, we can gather and unite to represent proudly our country”, the association representatives added.

 Recently this association was presented to the Consulate of Guatemala in Los Angeles, and the new members received consul support. The Consulate expressed thankful comments for taking the steps to unite in benefit of the Guatemalan community in this region.

 Doctor Aldo A. Aguirre, honorary vice-consul of Guatemala in Fertile Valleys, Nevada, arrived in San Diego last month as a special honored guest. He congratulated the initiative and efforts of this group to unite in favor of their community, and to contribute to the promotion of their culture and country.

 “There are different Guatemalan groups in great cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas, among others. We do not know exactly if officially we are recognized by the consulate because they have special policies for that, but the consul told us we will receive all the support of the diplomat chancellery of Guatemala through the consulate, and this encourages us to follow through”, Villela said.

 The members of this organization have the goal to spread and promote their culture and folklore through diverse activities. Currently they are planning their first event to celebrate their Independence in September.

 “We have many objectives and challenges but so far we are going to focus on our next few events. First, letting know the chapines of this region that we have an association. Then, our step will be the election of the queens of the independence next July 28, and later to prepare the celebration for our independence day”, Encinias mentioned.

 Their immediate plans are to promote their mission among the Guatemalan community assuring the information arrives on time to all Guatemalans, who can benefit from the services offered.

 The organization will celebrate the independence of Guatemala on Saturday September 20 in the community park of Rancho Bernardo.

 Besides trying to catch the attention of the Guatemala community in San Diego, Edwin Villela announced that a group of entrepreneurs joined efforts to start the radio show “La Hora Chapina” that has the purpose to reach this community and spread Guatemalan culture. This show’s first broadcast was last Sunday, July 5 on the Radio Hispana, 1470AM .

 For information about the Guatemalan Association in San Diego call (760) the 522-5560 or send an email to chapinessdca@yahoo.com.