PROJECT DETAILS

Location: Chajul, Guatemala

Timeline: Estimated completion, end of 2024.

Impact area: Education

Partner: Limitless Horizons Ixil

Budget: $700,000

NEED: EDUCATION FOR MAYA YOUTH, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Chajul is located in the beautiful mountains of Quiche. It is one of the poorest regions of Guatemala, and was one of the hardest hit during the 36-year civil war. The war amounted to genocide against the indigenous people, who are still discriminated against today. The families LHI serves have an average monthly income of $77, far below the extreme poverty line. Nearly half of parents are illiterate and only 24% completed elementary school.

Student performance is suffering; in 2016, 95% of high school graduates in Chajul failed the national exams in reading, and 99% in math. Teachers do not have access to the resources and training that they need, and schools lack proper bathroom facilities, clean water, and electricity. Safety is of particular concern for girls -- sexual and emotional abuse is far too common in Chajuls schools. Furthermore, indigenous girls in particular struggle to see themselves and their future in the standard curriculum. The vast majority of girls do not pursue high school or post-secondary education.

SOLUTION: THE CHAJUL SCHOOL AND MENTORING CAMPUS

The Chajul School and Mentoring Campus is a community-driven initiative that will serve 120 middle- and high-school students annually, and support graduates to attain university and/or professional opportunities.

The school aims to prepare scholars to have choices, reach their highest potential, and go on to create opportunity for others. Additionally, the school will encourage people in Chajul to stay, thrive, and build their community rather than migrating north to the U.S.

The Chajul School curriculum will be designed to eliminate gender bias and develop students:

academic excellence

career awareness

critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and communication skills

awareness of self, others, and community

agency over their own futures.

We have already successfully built Phase 1 which included the primary school, and we are now working to complete Phase 2 with the secondary school by the end of the year! Help our volunteers to provide these Guatemalan students the quality school they deserve.