Empowering Guatemalan Women with Professional Jobs

In 2016, five young women started out on an adventure. Recently graduated from high school career training, Reina, Delmy, Mayra, Rosa, and Leona were eager to put the skills they had learned into practice. Unfortunately, finding employment without experience is very difficult., but fortunately they heard about the Kateri Tekakwitha Fund Intern Program. They all applied and were soon placed in position by Juana Cun, the program coordinator. Now, a year later, they have the work experience they need to secure their first position.

Reina interned with a women’s group organizing organic gardens. She is now working with two government projects in her own village: CONALFA, an adult literacy program and SOSEP, a pre-school program. Not only is she working to support herself, but she is giving back to her community.

Delmy is another successful Kateri intern. She interned in the Hogar Santa Maria de Guadelupe in Santa Apolonia and in el Instituto Municipal Ajpu in San Juan Comalapa where she organized activities with the students and worked in the office. They found her work so helpful that they hired her for the rest of the year. Now that she has employment, she will be able to be able to enter the University and study for her degree in Social Work.

Mayra interned in an accounting office in San Juan Comalapa. When she finished her internship she was hired as an employee. She is continuing her work in the office.

Rosa ‘s career is as a nurses’ aide. She worked in the Centro de Salud in her hometown of San Juan Comalapa. At the end of her internship the doctor in charge gave her a recommendation for her resume. With this she was able to secure a position as a nurse’s aide in Guatemala City.

Leona decided on police work as a career and was able to enter the Police Academy when she finished her internship. They all are happy with the results of their year with the Kateri Fund.

We were able to provide this program to support these young women as they gained the work experience they needed to secure their first position through funding from Mary’s Pence and Quail Roost Foundation as well as the funding our GlobalGiving supporters provide. It has made it possible for these young women to start out on a new path to a more secure life.   

To start another group of young women in the program we need the investment from our GlobalGiving supporters.  Become a monthly donor and let your friends and family know about the work that needs to be done to give young Guatemalan high school graduates a start in their career.