When I was a girl in Guatemala, I had to fight to get the same education as my brother.
Because I was a girl, I had to help my mother and had little time to do my homework. My brother was given all the time he needed to do his homework, and I knew this dynamic was normal for almost every family in my hometown.
Now, as I am named Child Aid’s Directora Ejecutiva De Guatemala (Co-CEO), and tasked with leading our literacy organization, I understand what’s at stake for the next generation of Guatemalan children, especially indigenous girls.
My leadership role is made possible because of the education – a degree in law- which I had to scrabble and claw to earn. It seemed everything was against me continuing my education beyond the first few years of elementary school.
I am determined that the next generation will more easily receive the good education their bright, inquisitive minds deserve. The world needs the talent, creativity and leadership the children of Guatemala can offer.
Child Aid is an incredible literacy organization with a long history of helping children gain literacy skills they need to leap out of the cyclical poverty that claims their parents and grandparents before them. For indigenous children in Guatemala who average less than 3.4 years in school, an organization like Child Aid is a lifesaver. We reach kids with educational radio programming; reading and writing programs offered during school breaks, as well as after school; lending libraries in elementary schools, and well-trained teachers and thousands of new books.
I’ve worked for Child Aid for more than a decade, first as a teacher trainer, team manager and, most recently, national program director. As Co-CEO, I hope to expand our organization’s reach to the far corners of my nation. I won’t rest until every child in Guatemala gets the quality education they deserve. I especially hope to empower young girls to stay in school longer and lead their families and communities out of poverty.
I’m also well aware that I am a walking, talking role model for indigenous children in Guatemala. My whole life is a testimony to the power of persistence, and I believe that if I hadn’t had excellent role models around me, I wouldn’t have been able to make my voice heard. An educated and successful woman has the opportunity to assert her voice in society, to authorities and in any situation.
I am excited to see Child Aid’s next chapter, and I’m grateful to our supporters who make all this good work possible.