CoEd's Technology Program empowers Indigenous Maya youth (ages 13-15) in rural Guatemala with computer access and digital training. Classrooms are equipped with modern computers, Microsoft Office, Scratch, and RACHEL-an offline educational content server. Through these computer labs, students gain the essential technical and programming skills necessary for today's evolving workforce, and Indigenous students will increase their earning potential, breaking the cycle of poverty once and for all.
In rural Guatemala, many students have never used a computer. Lacking digital access and marketable skills, they face limited opportunities and are often trapped in generational poverty. The rural-urban digital divide deepens this disparity-only 37% of rural Latin Americans have internet access, compared to 71% in urban areas. As a result, Indigenous youth are denied the tools to compete in the workforce, launch businesses, or access essential government services to shape their futures.
This project will establish a Computer Center in a rural Guatemalan middle school, providing Indigenous students access to essential technology. Each student receives at least 60 minutes of hands-on instruction per week, along with over 100 lessons. To ensure high-quality teaching, new computer teachers receive 70 hours of training in their first year, plus 56 hours of continuing education each year. This program bridges the digital divide and equips youth with the skills to shape their future.
CoEd Computer Centers are built for sustainability. Students pay a small fee (about $3/month) into a revolving fund that covers operating expenses and equipment upgrades. After approximately 6 years, enough money has accumulated to replace the computers, ensuring access to high-quality technology education for generations. With these technology skills, students unlock lifelong economic opportunities that ripple throughout their communities and lift entire families out of poverty.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
