Empower Maya Youth in a Post-Genocide Community

In the heart of Central America, Guatemala's economy is the largest in the region, yet it grapples with staggering rates of poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to education, particularly in rural, indigenous communities like Chajul. In this challenging environment, a story of inspiration and resilience emerges from Colegio Horizontes' middle schooler, Evelyn.

In a community where only 4% graduate high school and 93% live in poverty, Evelyn aspires to be a trailblazer, not only for herself but for future generations. Fueled by her love for math and a newfound interest in science since joining Colegio Horizontes, she envisions a future in STEM, whether as a science or math teacher or even a paleontologist.

The transformative power of STEM education is evident at Colegio Horizontes, where Evelyn's passion for science is nurtured through real-life examples and interactive courses. Her journey with STEM became tangible in the 7th grade when she witnessed the installation of solar panels on the school’s roof. Her science teacher, David, brought the subject to life by taking the class to the control room to explore how solar energy transforms into electrical power. Now, she discusses renewable energy's impact with her family and community members, as she sees the potential for wider adoption of such technologies in Chajul and across Guatemala.

The school's status as the only solar-powered institution in the community is a testament to our commitment to sustainable practices and a shining example of renewable energy in a region where power outages are far too common. Generously funded by the Honnold Foundation, the solar panels not only illuminate the classrooms but also the dreams of students like Evelyn, ensuring uninterrupted learning for all.

Evelyn's aspirations extend beyond personal success. Despite earning the highest grades in school, she remains grounded and empathetic and doesn't think twice about supporting her classmates when they struggle. Described as intelligent, humble, and compassionate by her mentor, Olga, Evelyn envisions leading change in her community through projects promoting equity and gender equality.

When not at school exploring the wonders of science, Evelyn returns to her modest home, where she lives with her mother, two younger brothers, and grandparents. She can often be found curled up with a book borrowed from the library, while her mom, Juana, weaves an intricate huipil on her backstrap loom, which she later sells to provide for her family.

Amid poverty and challenges, Evelyn's journey at Colegio Horizontes highlights the profound impact of education. Her story showcases how a dedicated STEM focus, coupled with hands-on learning experiences, empowers resilient minds like hers to become community catalysts, paving the way for more students in Chajul to pursue in-demand career paths such as science, medicine, computer science, and engineering.

In Guatemala’s Western Highlands, where Limitless Horizons Ixil works, educational attainment and retention have remained staggeringly low. Over 60% of local teenagers lack access to education, and in Chajul, our focus area, less than 1 in 4 teens complete middle school. This situation perpetuates a cycle of limited opportunities, reinforcing the urgent need for improved education in the community.

Hermelinda, one of the first students to step foot in our recently opened middle through high school, Colegio Horizontes, represents a hopeful exception to these daunting statistics. While it hasn’t been easy, her path forward changed when she joined the school’s first 7th-grade class in January 2022. 

After nearly two years of pandemic-induced disruptions to her education, Hermelinda faced significant hurdles upon entering our first Expanding Horizons prep classes. She showed alarmingly low levels of reading comprehension, writing, and speaking skills. Her parents, Juan, a farmer with only a primary education, and Ana, who was never able to attend school, have always had to weigh the cost-benefit of sending their eight children to school, grappling with limited resources. The family, like many in Chajul, also bears the shadows of Guatemala's 36-year civil war, which ended in 1996 and amounted to genocide against the indigenous people. Nonetheless, Juan and Ana remain hopeful that Hermelinda can become the first in their family to complete high school.

Since starting at Colegio Horizontes, Hermelinda’s motivation and desire to succeed have truly shined through. She has not only overcome obstacles but is excelling academically and building her leadership skills. Her aspirations have been transformed, too, and she's not afraid to dream big: she envisions a future as a doctor and a professional singer, and she hopes to one day use what she’s learning in entrepreneurship class to open a business in Chajul to benefit her community. As she herself says: "Colegio Horizontes is allowing girls like us, whose families don't have money, to follow our dreams."

Perhaps most importantly, her positive influence has extended to her younger sisters, ages 5 and 6, inspiring them to pursue their own educational dreams. She introduced them to our Saber Sin Límites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library, where they now spend as much time as possible and participate in Story Hour and STEM activities.

Hermelinda's progress is a testament to the impact of Colegio Horizontes, where students receive a culturally responsive, modern, and engaging education in a safe school environment designed for indigenous girls. With a focus on developing critical thinking skills and empowering our students’ voices, we are confident that the support Hermelinda is receiving from her mentors, teachers, and close-knit school community, will propel her toward a bright future. With humble origins, she will set a powerful example for her siblings and the community at large, showing the potential for success, resilience, and leadership.

We can't wait until the day Hermelinda's family gathers at Colegio Horizontes to celebrate her achievements and the family's first high school diploma and we hope you can join us in extending this opportunity to more families in Chajul.