Empower Maya Weavers' Children through Education

At Cojolya, we believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to break cycles and open new opportunities for the families of our artisans. Many of them grew up surrounded by threads and looms, without the possibility of continuing their studies. Today, thanks to the Education Program, their children not only have access to school supplies and academic support, but also the motivation and confidence to continue dreaming.

The voices of Martha, Petronila, and Mercedes—artisans who are part of Cojolya—show us how this program directly impacts their homes. Their testimonies reflect hope, shared effort, and the certainty that education transforms lives.

Marta - Warper
One of the stories that reflects the impact of the Education Program is that of a preschool student who often accompanies her mother, a craftswoman at Cojolya. At first, she arrived shy and uncertain about basic topics such as vowels, numbers, and reading. Little by little, in the afternoons after school, she found a safe space at the association where she could reinforce what she had learned at school while her mother worked.
Over time, her enthusiasm grew. Today, her mother happily shares the change she has seen in her daughter:

"Yes, my little girl has learned a lot, she has grown a lot. Do you remember the drawings or reinforcements you gave her about vowels or numbers or counting to 20 when she came here with me to work and stayed at Cojolya doing her drawings or learning? Now I see that everything she took away from here or learned here, quickly, when they give her a related task, she says, ‘Ahhh, they already taught me this at Cojolya, I've already seen it, I can do it!’ and then she keeps working, focused"

When she has a question, it's incredible, but she knows where to go: she asks me if we can go to Cojolya to ask questions or get help with her homework. It's funny, because sometimes she wants to come more than I do, ha ha ha!
This space has provided not only academic support, but also motivation and confidence to explore new interests. Her mother told us that, on more than one occasion, the girl has shared her desire to knit and show her school friends what her mother does. She insists on learning to knit and weave like her, and says that if she could, she would teach all her friends to do it too".

So much so that, for her school's national holidays, she was chosen as the Independence Godmother of her grade, and in the presentation on the cultures and traditions of Guatemala... do you know what she chose and was excited to show?
...we'll tell you in our next report.

Petronila – Warper/Weaver and Embroiderer.

"My daughter has always struggled with math and science. I am very grateful for the support you have given her, both here at the Association and with the bookstore and access to school resources.
She is very attentive at the end of each month and says to me, ‘Let's go to the bookstore for more supplies. ’ And I tell her to wait until she needs them, then we'll use them.
In the first term, her math grades were very poor, but in the second term, when I came here to the Association for her to be taught, I saw an improvement when she did her exercises. Remember how she used to count on her hands to add up numbers? Here you told her it was easier to count in her head or with an object she had nearby. Even with multiplication, the technique of adding up the sides of a large multiplication works for her.
She even tells her classmates that she has two or three teachers: one at school and others at Cojolya!"

The program and the education card have been a relief, because now my daughter has access to the tools and school supplies she needs. Where are you going to get the money overnight to buy everything? It's difficult. With the program, I personally feel supported and accompanied, not only because of access to school supplies, but also in my daughter's academic growth, thanks to everyone at the Association who always welcomes and helps her, even if she needs to print something."

Mercedes – Weaver

My name is Mercedes, I am a weaver in the Association, and I am proud of my son who, at his young age, continues to be passionate about studying and going to school with enthusiasm. We did not have the opportunity to study: we grew up among the threads, we learned, we interacted with people, and we grew through the knowledge and art we practice, which is waist loom weaving.

Of my four children, the youngest—who is now in second grade—is livelier than his siblings, hahahaha! He is in the Cojolya Education program and, among all of them, he is the one who is excited every day to go see his friends, play, and interact at school. When he comes home, he always tells us about his mischief, what happened with his friends, or what he learned in class.

My other three children... two didn't have the motivation to continue studying, and my other daughter, although she wanted to, couldn't continue because in those days there weren't blessings like the education program that provides access to school supplies. She dropped out halfway through her education.

Today, I see how my older children motivate the youngest to keep going. They support him in his homework and say to him, "Come on, little, you have to pass your class. We're proud of you because you don't give up. Take advantage of this great opportunity to get support from Cojolya. We would have loved to have had those opportunities when we were students. You have a great future ahead of you.' I hear them talking to him, advising him, and even teasing him like brothers!

Thank God for this support for my son. During the two years he has been in school and in the program, his grades have been good. Sometimes he has a little trouble understanding some concepts, but his brothers are there to help him. If we need anything printed, the Association always kindly opens its doors to us, and when they don't understand a topic, either his brothers help him or the Association does.

The education card has been a great relief for us because it is accessible for obtaining the resources and worksheets my son needs. Thank you very much for all your support and for always opening your doors, not only to me as a craftswoman, but also to my family and my son, who is the future and the change of his generation.

Each story reminds us that education is more than books and notebooks: it is an opportunity for the children of our artisans to write a bright future without barriers. Thanks to the support received, every assignment, every class, and every step in school becomes an achievement shared by the entire Cojolya community.

"Dulce came to Cojolya as a quiet child with big dreams. Today she is a determined young woman with a confident smile and a great desire to learn beyond books."

Dulce has been part of our education program since sixth grade. Since then, we have seen her grow, not only in her studies, but also in the way she expresses herself, losing her fear and believing more in herself. Today she is 17 years old and is about to finish her fifth year in Business Administration, one of the most important stages of her life.

Her mother is a warping and sewing artisan at the Association. She herself sought to learn more in order to contribute to her family, and today she is enthusiastically dedicated to making new products. For Dulce, this environment has become a safe place: when she comes - from time to time - to use the computer or print work, she always stops by to say hello to her mother, share some time with the other artisans, joke around and feel at ease.

"I like coming here because I feel at ease here. If I have a question I know I can ask. And I like to watch my mom work, it gives me encouragement."

Over the years, Dulce has seen other students from the program graduate. Today, she is the one who inspires the younger ones. Her path has not been easy, but each challenge teaches her something new. Now her homework is no longer on paper: with her career, she has to put theory into practice.

One of her biggest challenges has been the entrepreneurship fair. For her, it's not just about writing papers or researching on the internet: it's about creating something real and facing all the challenges that entails.

"The most complicated thing is to think well about the product, how it will be liked, the name, the investment, the advertising... All that is not just in a notebook, you have to do it for real. Sometimes it's hard to understand everything, to talk well with my team, but I know that this will help me later to put something of my own."

If anything defines her, it is her friendliness and her way of talking to everyone without fear: she has the ease of approaching people, telling her ideas and convincing them with a smile. That makes her special and fills us with pride to see her apply every step of what she learns.

Her mother works calmly, knowing that her daughter has a place to study, ask questions and dream. Cojolya is part of this network that takes care of Dulce while she moves forward.

Each donation becomes an open door for her future. Each support allows Dulce to grow in a safe environment, continue to believe in her voice and turn her ideas into something real.

"Thank you for supporting me all these years. I know that without you I would not be here. I am learning a lot to fulfill my dreams."

Thank you for being part of this journey. Dulce's every accomplishment is yours too.