Empower Maya Weavers' Children through Education

Santiago Atitlán is also called a Tz’utujil village, this is due to the people' s mother tongue which is called Tz’utujil. more than 90% of the population communicate in this language, the communication in this language represents respect and trust in our older members. The majority of our older population did not have the opportunity to attend school and for this reason they cannot read or write and this has held them back from many opportunities. 

Currently, the school curriculum integrates the learning of the languages Tz’utujil, Spanish and English. This is why all students must learn to speak these languages because they are key to applying for a job. Most of the job positions value highly the ability to speak Spanish and English, and to gain a better quality of life on a family level it is fundamental that girls and boys have the opportunity to learn and practice other languages apart from Tz’utujil. 

It is because of this that within our education program we promote activities which help our students to practice the Spanish language as well as the English language. activities consist of English classes, reinforcement and exchange. Thank you to the volunteer teachers from the organization One Two Tree and interns for their support and for carrying out these activities with our students. The classroom dynamic and learning methods used motivate our students from the program to lose their fear and continue practicing.

The motivation, support and training have been the bases of support for our students to prepare them to face the demands of the professional world.