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AMOR was established in the UK and Guatemala by Arnulfo G. Oxlaj, Mayan medicine man, philosopher, human rights activist, artist and author.
It was an act of extreme violence, and an act of transformation, that gave birth to Arnulfo’s dream. On Saturday, 21st May, 1988, the Guatemalan army, led by Christian democratic president Vinicio Cerezo and assisted by several NATO members, carried out a massacre in the village of Chiul, Cunén, Quiché, in which they kidnapped hundreds of Ajq’ijab’, historically the day keepers of the Mayan people, misnamed ´Mayan priests´. 116 boys and girls were also kidnapped and taken to the military base where the soldiers tortured their prisoners and raped the women. The soldiers selected three pregnant young women who they raped and ripping open their wombs with machetes. They stamped on each sac and decapitated the screaming women. The 116 girls and boys were also tortured and thrown into a well filled with water and the faeces of the soldiers. Several hours later, the soldiers reappeared only to urinate on the children, to cries of “Glory to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” and “Ave Maria”. Little by little the children suffocated and drowned. That day 115 boys and girls died. Only one child managed to survive. After four nights and five days in the well, he was rescued by a woman. This surviving child is the Mayan philosopher, Arnulfo Oxlaj. On that day, grateful for his life having been spared, he promised to dedicate his life to helping his people and people around the world rise out of their “well”. Shortly thereafter, Arnulfo began going from house to house, sharing the little food and medicine to which he had access. The genocide was still in full force, and the Mayan people were the focus of the extermination. Atrocities were a daily occurrence. Despite many attempts on his life, Arnulfo survived. |
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The Peace Treaty was signed in 1996, but Arnulfo saw that the war still raged on. Now, instead of physical weapons, the weapons used were those of extreme poverty, of marginalisation and lack of opportunity – a system of modern-day apartheid that has the Mayan viewed as “less than human”, governed by a ruling white European minority. He was frustrated by the potential he saw going to waste in his people, and the lack of reparation they had received in rebuilding their lives and communities. He began to dream of a rebirth starting in his home village, a ´revolution´ of love and generosity, a chance for his people to finally contribute their gifts and talents to the world. In that moment, the dream of AMOR was born.
He noticed that, in addition to the trauma they suffered as a result of the war, most people suffered from chronic malnutrition and that this destroyed their health for the rest of their lives. Yet he also noticed that there were no medical services in the area. Forced male migration left women to struggle for their children alone, eking a living off land poisoned by bombs and mines during the holocaust.
He investigated why there was so much poverty and malnutrition in this rural area, and discovered that lack of opportunity was the main roadblock. Families couldn’t afford to send their children to school, needing the income from their work. The reason was simple: if the children didn´t work, they wouldn´t eat. Moreover, he noted that the women suffered from ethnic and gender inequality, and lacked the organisation, confidence, leadership and knowledge of their rights needed to protect their own safety, help their families and communities rise out of extreme poverty and overcome post-conflict fear and discrimination.
So Arnulfo wondered: Could support for indigenous children's health and education open doors of opportunity for his people? Could the Action of Love and Generosity lead to economic, social, cultural and spiritual benefits for indigenous children worldwide?
He began to dream of a Transformation, enabled by a network of learning centres, hubs that would act as regional catalysts for regeneration and protection of indigenous lives and heritage by providing human rights training, sustainable livelihoods programmes, humane education, nutrition and health services for the community. A network of Centres that could one day transform Guatemala and the world. He built a team and they began to take action: teaching human rights, building the movement and uniting the people behind a common vision, creating and supporting women’s agricultural and weaving groups, teaching them basic business skills, remodelling schools, building homes for poor families, and running art and literacy classes, to name but a few.
In 2007, Arnulfo met a small group of international development workers who were inspired by his work. In 2012 together they registered AMOR in the UK. Arnulfo and his dream, his work and team have been very much a symbol of all that AMOR hopes to achieve.
In 2007, Arnulfo met a small group of international development workers who were inspired by his work. In 2012 together they registered AMOR in the UK. Arnulfo and his dream, his work and team have been very much a symbol of all that AMOR hopes to achieve.
Be a Part of Something Bigger
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Together we are helping indigenous children realise their potential.
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AMOR |
(+44)(0)20.8144.4371
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PO Box 70
Hertford SG14 1RL, UK |
