Empowering Guatemalan Women with Professional Jobs

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recently issued a study entitled “Between Rootedness and the Decision to Migrate: Push and Retention Factors of Migration in Guatemala.” In this study, they analyzed the characteristics that influence individuals’ desire to migrate out of the country.

Among the results, they found that there was a tendency toward a “female brain drain.” This is because young females are more likely to migrate as they reach levels of higher education, particularly if they are unable to find employment opportunities in which they can use the skills that they have developed.

Another factor that makes migration more likely is a sense of being undervalued or discriminated against, which is most common among the Indigenous community. Indigenous individuals feel very connected to their communities, but the sense of discrimination is another impetus for them to leave and seek opportunities elsewhere.

With our goal to empower Indigenous young women within their communities, the Kateri Tekakwitha Fund addresses a number of these factors. The scholarship program supports young women so that they are able to continue with their education and provides tools for professional development during this process. The young women attend workshops on topics such as job interviews in order to help them develop their skills in this area and give them an advantage as they enter the working world.

However, as the CRS report points out, education itself is not enough to prevent young women from migrating. In fact, it actually increases the chances of migration if not accompanied by employment opportunities. It suggests that increasing employment opportunities for young people is important. In particular, job training programs that connect young people to employment opportunities. In addition, the study found that leadership opportunities for women, which help them to feel connected to their communities, are vital.

Our intern program speaks to this recommendation for combatting the factors which motivate the young women to leave their communities to secure a better life. This program connects young women to job opportunities, helping them to develop their skills in  order  to  achieve success in the working world. It also allows them to connect with employers and build professional relationships for the future, often leading to long-term opportunities.

Deysi is an intern at an accounting office in her hometown.  Her high school training was as a bookkeeper.  This placement gives her an opportunity to get work experience in her profession.  Below is her report on her experience.

"I want to share with you the experience I have had during these times.  It has been very helpful to my career to be able to develop myself as a person.  I have worked with things related to SAT (Guatemalan IRS) that were complicated for me and other activities, but over time I've had experiences that teach me.  Last time I was negligent concerning a client who did not present a declaration.  With this, I learned to be very attentive so there are not fines.  With time, I am learning I must be more attentive to what I am doing.

I am very satisfied to know that I am contributing to the business and at the same time to society with the work I do.  To work  helps me stay productive.  The other is that I feel that each day I am learning new things, having more knowledge, reinforcing the skills that I have to be able to be more efficient in the activities I do.

The people I work with are nice and I learn from them every day. They help me with my doubts or situations that appear a little complicated for me.  They help me resolve them.  The atmosphere is very pleasant since my coworkers are persons of good character.  They are not always angry and serious.  They are always laughing and so it is a nice atmosphere to work in.

In this situation, I can be with them with all the precautions necessary during the pandemic.  We meet and talk.  It is an experience for me since I am not very sociable and it is very cheerful to socialize with my workmates.

I feel more each day like a professional person.  One of my goals now is to be able to continue working in this business where I am and then continue studying.

The scholarship that I receive is a great help for my family.

I hope to continue learning during the time that continues, increasing my knowledge and experience to grow as a person.

Thanking you for your fine attention.  I leave you.

Deysi