Support literacy and learning for 1,900 Maya youth

The Saber Sin Límites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library is proud to introduce you to our newest librarian (and former Limitless Horizons Ixil scholar), Olga! Olga has extensive professional experience working with youth and a passion for supporting educational initiatives in her community. On the weekends, Olga is pursuing a a university degree in education, learning important knowledge and skills that she enjoys applying to her work in the library every day.

Olga’s background makes her uniquely qualified to carry out compassionate, youth-focused library programming in a largely illiterate community. She was born into a family in Chajul that was deeply impacted by Guatemala’s 36-year civil war. When they were young, Olga’s parents were forced into hiding for many years in order to escape the violence of the conflict, which meant they couldn’t go to school. Once the war ended and Olga’s parents had a family of their own, they urged their children to pursue the opportunity of education that they themselves had been denied.

Although her family lacked the necessary economic resources to support her education past elementary school, Olga and her parents were determined to find a solution that would enable her to continue her studies. Olga began asking community members about scholarship opportunities, which led her to successfully apply to Limitless Horizons Ixil’s Youth Development Program. As a scholar, she loved participating in the library's activities and even volunteered her time helping younger library users. While in high school, she worked part-time for an educational program providing math classes to teenagers, and held internships that allowed her to combine her interests in art and education. Following her graduation from high school, Olga volunteered for three months with the NGO Save the Children on a variety of youth projects. When she learned about a job opening at the Saber Sin Limites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library, she knew the position was for her!

In addition to her professional experience, Olga brings personal characteristics that are essential to cultivating the warm and welcoming learning environment that we strive for in the library. With her calm and approachable demeanor, she inspires confidence in the library’s many young users. Olga told us, “I’m always amazed by how creative children are, and I love helping them learn and discover new interests.” She strives to make them feel comfortable to explore and ask questions, nurturing their natural curiosity.

When Olga first stepped into the library as a child, she became a member of Chajul’s first generation of readers. Thanks to your support over the years, she has grown into an educated professional who is helping maintain the library as a beacon of hope for Chajul’s youth. Your investment in the Saber Sin Limites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library is driving long-lasting, positive change in the community. Thank you!