Maya Traditions Journal > Youth Education

Youth Education Update: Ana Maria Churunel Morales

Posted by on October 01, 2015

Since 1997, Maya Traditions has supported the children of our artisan partners through our Youth Education Program. Here, volunteer Marlene shares her experience meeting student Ana Maria Churunel Morales: Two chicken busses, one pickup truck, and a ten minute walk to get to the community of Chuacruz, a rural town filled with corn fields, tucked in the countryside near Sololá. I traveled to Chuacruz with Maya Traditions’ staff member Marisol to meet with the local weaving cooperative and a few of our artisan partners’ children. Ana Maria was one of them. At 15, she is a very friendly and sweet

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Youth Education Update: German

Posted by on September 29, 2015

Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. Maya Traditions Foundation partners with organizations and individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–attend university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here, student German Cristóbal Macario Morales, son of artisan Elena,  shares:  The work that Maya Traditions is doing through the Youth Education Program  has allowed me to continue my studies and work to make my dreams come true. I am currently enrolled in my second semester of university,

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In order to break the cycle of poverty, Guatemala needs to drastically improve its education system

Posted by on September 17, 2015

At Maya Traditions, we believe that education lays the foundation to a positive and successful development of each individual – mentally and physically. Through education, children and youth learn how to critically analyze their personal, political, and economic environments. Education also helps develop personality—along with strengths, confidence, and creativity— supporting individuals make thoughtful decisions in the short- and long-term. We are convinced that educating youth and children provides the most important foundation for respect, equality, justice, peace, and freedom within a country. As James Garfield said: “Without education, neither freedom nor justice can be maintained.” Today, Guatemalan youth face increasingly difficult conditions,

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Youth Education Update: Sucely Works Towards Her Goals

Posted by on June 26, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here, student Sucely Ermelinda Vásquez Perez, son of artisan Vicenta,  shares with us a bit on his life and studies Dear friends, I send you my deepest appreciation for the willingness to support me in my studies. Education is a fundamental right for everyone, and I

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Youth Education Update: Ruben Shares His Growth

Posted by on June 10, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here, student Ruben Andrés Ambrosio Tzoc, son of artisan Catarina,  shares with us a bit on his life and studies.  Hello! My name is Ruben Andrés Ambrosio Tzoc and I’m excited to share with you how my first year in university has been going. In the past

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USH: MTF Leaders Begin Work with New Communities

Posted by on May 05, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation began partnering with Unlocking Silent Histories ‘USH’ in 2012 offering young people involved in our Youth Education Program the opportunity to develop and share their voices through creating their own short documentaries. Here, the USH Guatemala Field Director Jenn Miller shares the latest developments within the program: A heavy rain begins to fall on Saturday afternoon as we wrap up our first Unlocking Silent Histories meeting with two new groups of program participants in Santiago Atitlan. The indigenous youth gathered around the table where we sit in a second floor office don’t seem to mind, using the rain as a welcome

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Youth Education Program Update: Miguel David

Posted by on April 27, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–to attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here student Miguel David Vasquez Asjoc, son of artisan Lucia, shares with us a bit on his life and studies.  Dear friends, I hope everyone had an amazing Semana Santa, or holy week. I would like to tell you that this month I had a wonderful time

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Youth Education Program Update: Carmen

Posted by on April 08, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–to attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here student Carmen Tzoc Portillo, daughter of artisan Magdalena, shares with us a bit on her life and her studies.  Hello! It is a pleasure for me to share with you the progress in my studies. This year I am very pleased to

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Supporting the Growth of Youth Leaders with Unlocking Silent Histories

Posted by on February 26, 2015

Donna DeGennaro, Founder & Director of our partner Unlocking Silent Histories(USH) reflects on the past, describes her hopes for the future, and shares exciting new developments with the USH: Maya Traditions Chapter. We are currently fundraising for USH for 2015. Join USH & Maya Traditions, be part of the story: http://igg.me/at/ush  This March marks the 1.5-year anniversary of Unlocking Silent Histories non-profit status and just passes the date that begins our third year partnering with Maya Traditions.  In some ways our beginning seems like yesterday.  At the same time, the numerous milestones and events that we can count make it feel like we have been

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Julia Dreams of Being a Lawyer

Posted by on February 24, 2015

Each year, Maya Traditions Foundation supports a select group of students–the children of our artisans–to attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here student Julia María Barreno, daughter of artisan Rosa from Patanatic, shares with us a bit on her studies.  My name is Julia María Barreno and I would like to share with you to my new life experience. I am a student of

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