The Mexico Report’s Real Heroes of Mexico: Meet Enrique Valdes Garcia
Merida, Yucatan
Enrique is the Director of Sustainable and Cultural tourism for the two Mayaland resorts and works from the Uxmal properties. He goes way beyond his job title however. He organizes workshops for the Mayan staff, in confidence building and creativity. Exposes them to on-line and other training having to do with the richness and history of the Maya culture. He organizes fundraisers to get donations of food, clothing and school supplies for the tiny town of San Simon 15 kms from Uxmal, accessible by dirt road and not even appearing on maps. He hires as many Maya staff as he can from San Simon to avoid having the men migrate to the US to work and perhaps never return again. He goes directly to Maya villages using the non-profit INDEMAYA to pay them to make soap, shampoo and other amenities for the Mayaland resorts. He supports local Maya artists with exhibits at the property and gives all the funds to the artists, Mayaland keeps nothing.
Enrique was nominated by Jane Custer.
Enrique Valdes Garcia, a 2013 Real Heroes of Mexico awardee; photo provided by Jane Custer
See all the 2013 Real Heroes of Mexico here.
