Support literacy and learning for 1,900 Maya youth

David Imul grew up in Chajul as one of eight children in a family that lost their land and numerous family members during the Guatemalan Civil War. Because of his family’s struggles and economic standing, educational opportunities were scarce and graduating high school felt like an impossible dream to David. That changed for him in 2007, when he received a scholarship from Limitless Horizons Ixil. With the supplies, resources, and socioemotional support Limitless Horizons Ixil provided, David was able to attend middle school, high school, and eventually college, paving the way for his future job at Limitless Horizons Ixil.

He was in good company, with many of his friends, neighbors, and even his siblings studying at the time, including his sister Josefina, and the love of his life and woman he would eventually marry, Eymi Canay. During this pivotal time in his life, he immersed himself in knowledge at school while gaining life-changing insights and values from Limitless Horizons Ixil that helped mold his character.

“The values instilled in me during those years—like discipline, gender equity, and the courage to use my voice—are the same ones I now strive to pass on to my own children and the children and youth who I work with every day,” says David.

David joined the Limitless Horizons Ixil team in 2014 and stepped into the role of Community Library Director in 2017. Since then, he has been instrumental in shaping the Saber Sin Límites Community Library into a cornerstone of education in Chajul—a place where hundreds of children have opened a book for the first time. Under David’s leadership, the library now serves more than 500 children and youth annually, with membership steadily increasing. These young learners benefit from access to over 10,000 books in Spanish, Ixil, and English, dedicated homework support, and a wide range of engaging literacy and educational programs.

Libraries are often celebrated as spaces where children can discover books, explore new ideas, and develop a lifelong love of learning but the Saber Sin Límites Community Library goes beyond that—with David’s leadership, the library is reshaping cultural norms. In Chajul, where traditional gender roles are deeply rooted, the library has become an unexpected catalyst for fostering inclusive ideas about gender and equality.

“We intentionally create mixed-gender groups for activities to encourage collaboration and promote gender equity,” explains David. This is unique in public spaces in Chajul where kids typically don’t play or interact with the opposite gender, unless it’s with their siblings. 

“Kids who might hesitate to speak up in other settings feel empowered here, developing the confidence to participate and build friendships across traditional barriers,” he says. Not only that, but children and youth also witness gender equity modeled by David and his fellow librarians—a subtle but powerful way to change culture.

David believes the impact of Limitless Horizons Ixil reaches further than anyone could have imagined. It changes mindsets and helps young people imagine a brighter future for themselves and their community. He reflects, “As our motto and logo states, we’re ‘transforming a community through education.’ I wholeheartedly believe this to be true, because I’ve lived it.”