Outstanding Guatemalans all over the globe.
Guatemala. Since we started this publication we always had in mind to create a section where we could present to the reader the stories of outstanding Guatemalans from all over the globe. They exist and there are many.
Some live in total obscurity and have never been detected, and some have a zillion titles and rewards and recognitions both in Guatemala and internationally.
One of the mysteries for me has always been why are they not known by our own Guatemalans? There are a few reasons: the national media is selective in rewarding or recognizing Chapines. There are some who want to be known, others prefer to remain under the radar and are very private.
Other reasons are simply neglect in recollecting the information and sharing it.
Their stories will appear as we are able to gather the relevant information from many different countries and cities in the world. In some cases the readers might have a different opinion about the accomplishments of certain characters, or they will consider that our information is not 100% complete. We promise that we will do our best to be accurate and objective.
The order in which they will appear will not be alphabetical, age or by relevance, importance, or any other criteria that might offend the egos of our Outstanding Chapines or their "fan's".
There will be people from the right, the left, the middle, undefined, round, square, linear, triangular, black, white, brown, green, red, gray, women, man, young, old and middle aged.
The one thing they will have in common is that they can inspire us to realize that if a Chapin wants to go places, he or she gets there. That we are not just a nation that goes as wet backs and live in the shadows of other societies and countries.
And also our wet backs are doing good, especially considering that they are the main source of external revenue, bigger than all the exports from Guatemala.
There are many Chapines worldwide in very prestigious institutions in powerful positions doing excellent work in science, management, art, commerce, journalism, archeology, clean energy, sports and many other sectors.
To mention just some examples: Ricardo Paz- Fumagalli, Radiologist, Mayo Clinic, Miami, USA. Julio Godoy, journalist, part of the team of main correspondents of IPS, a civil society leading news agency, Paris, France. Alejandro Archila, Engineer, Chief Executive Officer, Madagascar Oil, Houston Texas. Rafael Flores, Statistician, CDC (Center for Disease Control) Atlanta, USA. Jóse Ramiro Cruz, Ph.D. , PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) Advisor for laboratory and blood services in the Americas) Washington DC, USA. Isabel Nieves, Specialist in Social Development, IBD, Inter- American Development Bank, Washington DC, USA. Erick Boy Gallego, MD.MSc., ICCIDD, International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Micronutrient Initiative, Ottowa, Canada.
And this is just the beginning................
Photo. Estuardo Zepeda