Empower Maya Weavers' Children through Education

Students are attending school with distance learning. The first months of this school year, classes were held in a hybrid model, with 6-8 students in-person two times a week. As Covid 19 spread and opportunities for in-person attendance lessened, parents came to collect and deliver schoolwork for their children as a way to maintain public health.

95% of primary school students do not have computer or internet access in their homes. Instead of using technology, they receive worksheets. Students face many challenges in pursuit of education without the use of technology, and many drop out for this reason.

To solve this problem and so that our students do not drop out of school, Cojolya’s social coordinator has provided assistance so that students can continue studying. Our beneficiaries receive internet access and additional help once a week.

During this time, our beneficiaries have learned how to use technology, a tool which has helped them immensely. Lidia, an eight-year-old girl, started primary school with distance learning. With a great deal of effort, she is learning how to read. She enjoys watching videos about syllables and printed worksheets, and she comes to learn with her sister. Lidia enjoys reading with our program coordinator, especially fables. She is a very active girl, though current circumstances do not permit her to spend time with her friends from school.

Dulce, a thirteen-year-old girl, is learning how to read and write in Tz-utujil, the indigenous language of the community that 95% of people speak while most cannot read and write. Dulce is proud of her achievements through her work with Cojolya, and she is an outstanding student. Everyday she makes an effort to learn something new. Dulce expressed the following: “I want to study medicine to help my community and to financially support my mother.”