Empower Maya Youth in a Post-Genocide Community

The 2017 school year is off to a great start here in Chajul, Guatemala, and studies are well underway for our 70 middle and high school scholars. In the midst of it all, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to you, our valued supporters, for your integral part in the work of Limitless Horizons Ixil. It is our pleasure to provide you with an update of the effect of your contributions to our Youth Development Program.

In January, we kicked off the new year with a meeting of all of our scholars and their parents in order to share goals and expectations of the 2017 school year. It was a lively day, full of excitement and anticipation, and we are thrilled by how committedeach of our parents are to support their children’s education. But most of all, we are ecstatic about our scholars’ commitment and dedication to continuing their studies. We are so proud of each of our students this year, both new and returning.

15 new first-year middle school scholars were also welcomed into the Limitless Horizons Ixil family this year. To prepare them for the demands of attending classes and studying in Spanish (their second language), they participated in Intensive Spanish I and II courses that we coordinated for them during their school break. We are proud to report that all students passed and are successfully integrated into their classes where instruction is exclusively in Spanish.

In the coming weeks, we’re excited to be further enhancing our tutoring services. Last year we offered our scholars 3 hours of academic assistance each week in Spanish, math, English, and general study habits. Now, in response to student needs, we will offer 6 hours per week, and we’re thrilled to be also covering science, social studies, and accounting. We’re confident that this will complement their education and boost their confidence in the classroom, making them more successful and eager learners over the long term.

Investing in human capital continues to be an integral part of maintaining high-quality programming to support our scholars’ education. To that end, 5 of our Guatemalan staff recently went to a workshop on effective instruction, hosted by our partner organization Starfish in Antigua, Guatemala. They received training on new participatory teaching methods to help students to better understand taught curriculum, which will aid them in their support of our scholars. They shared important takeaways with the director and teachers of our partner school, positively impacting future students as well.

Our youth continue to stay in school longer and earn better grades than their classmates who are not part of Limitless Horizons Ixil, and for this, we have you to thank. On behalf of all of our 70 scholars and their families, thank you for your contributions to empowering the youth of Chajul. Together we are creating change in Chajul, one generation at a time.

Thank you on behalf of all 70 Limitless Horizons Ixil scholars and their families!