I've heard about the Ak'Tenamit...they are actually of group of Mayan Indians from the Highlands that got displaced during the civil war and resettled in the area. They had to adapt to a warmner climate and more of a "caribbean" culture than what they were used to. Here is their website if you want to have a closer look

http://www.aktenamit.org/

I will say that hard candy (chocolate may melt unless you get a good stash coming from the Voyager in a cooler bag, lol!!) like Jolly Roger or such will go A LONG WAY and be rewarded with broad, happy smiles...it sounds like they may be covered in the "school list" area so agree, maybe pencils not the way to go.

I would email them ahead of time, maybe they have a special request that can be brought that would not be to big. Of course I think they would prefer a "sponsor a child" but like I said earlier, candy goes a long way in a lot of countries with the local children!!

Let me see if I can dig up intel on Hotel Villa Caribe...if they say they have "local specialities" that should include the tapado I mentioned, plus the famous "Pan de Coco" (coconut bread) they make there.

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends ~~M. Angelou~~