By Janet Bourque | Project Director
A LEAP OF FAITH: May Ixil Scholars, Parents, Donors
Ta’mtiixh (Ixil word for Thank You)”
Leap of Faith: Scholars: Listen to Ana from Chel. Ana is the first in her family to go to school and the first in her remote community to leave home for a boarding school.
“My name is Ana, I am twelve years old, resident of Chel village, Chajul El Quiché, Maya Ixil. Since I was a child I learned to work both in the kitchen and In the weaving and I have been working in the field also for the harvest of coffee. I am a servant of the coffee-growers to cut coffee beans. My dad always has been dedicated to cut coffee and to cultivate and to harvest corn like a servant of other persons.
I have a great need financially to continue studying, my parents are poor, we only live in a wooden house and roof, we have no land to grow corn and other types of cultivation. My mother is dedicated to working in the kitchen and my dad in the field and I want very much to support my family in order to exit poverty.
My objective is to continue studying and give the best to support other people as I have been supported since we live a very long distance from the town and there is only deep poverty and hunger here. There is much natural wealth in my community but unfortunately the foreign companies are destroying it with no benefit to the Maya.
I am very grateful for the support you give me, many Blessings for each one of you.”
Leap of Faith: Parents: The Maya Ixil families and communities suffer intergenerational trauma from the armed conflict and genocide that occurred during Guatemala’s civil war. There is a deep fear of deception. In the Maya culture, intergenerational families live together under one roof, and do not venture far from home. A recent informal survey of this deeply traumatized population said that up to 80% of the men and 50% woman believed that the women and girls could not leave the house without the permission of the father. Although this rule was essential for safety during the armed conflict, it persists and limits the opportunities for girls and women. Most adults speak only Maya Ixil and do not read or write. Many fathers believe that their daughters do not need an education. Please join us in thanking the fathers of the Maya Ixil girl scholars for giving permission for their daughters to accept their scholarships and travel across the country to an unknown place to the boarding school.
Leap of Faith: Donors Each donation is received with the understanding that we are an extension of your wishes in supporting the Maya Ixil Scholars so that they can become change makers in their home communities. The accounting in Guatemala is done by a professional with years of experience, and is reported to the Guatemalan SAT (IRS). We are fortunate to have Mynor Veliz as our Finance Advisor. The Maya Ixil Education Director, Manuel Laynez Anay’s profession is Business Administration, supported by a University education. He stayed at Ak Tenamit for a month to ensure that the scholars from Chajul and Chel were well adapted and supported. David Clay, Philanthropist with Global 321 is currently in Guatemala. He stayed at Ak Tenamit for 10 days and then traveled to Chajul and Chel for 2 weeks to meet with parents, community members and collaborating NGO’s.
SKYPE: We invite donors to Skype or Facebook Video Chat with The Education Committee team and parents in Chajul. Please contact Janet at janet.asoixil@gmail.com
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