Empower Maya Youth in a Post-Genocide Community

Karelyn Fresly, in Colegio Horizontes’  first-ever high school class, embodies the hope and potential that Limitless Horizons Ixil strives to nurture. As part of Colegio Horizontes’ first class of students in 2022, Karelyn’s takeaways from her first three years are a testament to the transformative power of education and its ripple effects on the community.

“I feel so proud and happy to be part of the first class of Colegio Horizontes students,” Karelyn shares. “When I graduated from middle school this past November, it was another achievement I could celebrate with my family. Now, I want to be an example for future students—to raise my voice for truth and justice and ensure greater gender equity in the future…I would like to be a local example of an empowered female leader in town.”

Colegio Horizontes has equipped Karelyn and her classmates with tools to challenge these stereotypes and inspire change. “I’ve always wanted to support others, especially women, so they know they have the same rights as men and can do whatever they set their minds to,” Karelyn says. Through mentorship and entrepreneurship classes, she has gained skills in innovation and leadership, which she uses to model equality and resilience for her peers and younger students. Besides what she learns in class, Karelyn also has plenty of strong female role models at school: “Cecy [technology teacher], Olga [mentor], Odi [Director of Colegio Horizontes], and everyone involved with LHI who do everything in their power to transform the educational landscape here in Chajul, are examples for me that it’s possible to overcome challenges and achieve great things.”

Karelyn views Colegio Horizontes and its graduates, both past and future, as drivers of progress in Chajul. She believes education is the foundation for fostering change and achieving greater equality, and that leading by example is key: “Over time, I think we will see more gender equity in town. The way to achieve this is by modeling the skills and values—like the ones we learn at school—in our community.” With aspirations to become a gynecologist and address the lack of women in the field locally, Karelyn credits the school’s teachers and staff for inspiring her journey. “Thanks to the support of Colegio Horizontes, I know I will achieve my dreams,” she shares.

Karelyn’s passion for creating change is deeply rooted in her experiences and aspirations. She remembers an incident from her childhood when a little girl was belittled by a boy for dreaming of becoming a local leader. “He told her she would never achieve her dream because only boys had the right to go to school,” Karelyn recalls. “If I were to see a boy treat a girl like that now, with what I’ve learned at Colegio Horizontes, I would encourage her to believe in herself and make sure she knows that anything is possible no matter what her background or gender.”

Karelyn’s experience and takeaways from her first three years at Colegio Horizontes are shining examples of how education ignites change—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Her passion for justice and equality, fueled by the mentorship and opportunities at Colegio Horizontes, reflects a vision of a more equitable Chajul. With her determination and the foundation she’s building, Karelyn is poised to inspire future generations to dream bigger and achieve more.