Send Maya Ixil Youth to University in Guatemala

To meet Carmen is to meet the embodiment of dedication. Carmen entered the Filantropis Becarios program in 2014 as part of the third cohort of Scholars. She is from a small town called Xix, located about 20 kilometers from the center of Chajul, and home to people of the Mayan Quiche ethnicity. Carmen’s nearly 10-year journey to gain her title included incredible milestones, such as becoming the Scholars Program Coordinator for Filantropis, serving as the President of the Board of Directors and Legal Representative for the association, becoming the first female landowner in Xix, designing and building her home alongside her husband, Gaspar, and - perhaps most importantly - becoming a mother to her smart and spunky son, Teo.

Last month, after a decade of perseverance and adhering to her dream, Carmen graduated with her degree in Business Administration from Mariano Galvez University. If her accomplishment wasn’t already impressive enough, Carmen’s degree was paired with a Master’s program, and very shortly she will also be receiving her MA in Human Resources. 

In Carmen’s words, “What I have achieved is not only a degree. I have had a job and the experience to travel outside of Guatemala for the first time. In my community, I am the third woman to graduate with her university degree, the first to leave the country as a working mother, spouse, and professional. My story has been, and will continue to be, a source of inspiration for many women in my community. I went to elementary and middle school in my community, then completed my high school in a public school where I studied teaching, which was my only option. Now, I am demonstrating to the youth and parents that it is not the school that makes one follow their goals; it is the attitude and desire to learn.”

Now, Carmen is steadfast in her objective to leverage her accomplishment by serving and supporting other Chajulense youth, including her younger sister, who Carmen is committed to supporting through high school and college. Carmen is preparing for a role as the Director of Filantropis, and knows that her example will greatly support a new generation of leaders and changemakers in Xix and throughout Chajul. Carmen’s achievement - and those of her peers - is made possible via wide and vast circles of support, such as what you all are offering. Carmen shares that contributions go beyond the financial impact; they also provide emotional support and great inspiration for her and other Scholars. For this, we offer a sincere gratitude to you all…and a hearty congratulations for Carmen!

Design Your Life is a Filantropis course offered to young people in secondary school and university. Its purpose is to develop in students the essential skills to start living the life they want and includes the creation of a "three-to-five year life plan" after finishing the course.

Clarisa is one of the students who participated in the Design Your Life course in 2022. One of the first generation of Filantropis ONG's Open Courses, she had the opportunity to evaluate ten areas of life and plan her steps forward. When she participated in the course, she received training sessions, personal advice, tools, and a master class with mentors throughout Guatemala who shared their experiences.

Clarisa is a Mayan Ixil woman who dreams of being a doctor. Last year she took the entrance exam to enter the University of San Carlos in Guatemala. She successfully passed the first comprehensive test, but she did not pass the second part of the comprehensive exam. She got discouraged and no longer wanted to continue fighting for her dream. She had told herself not to continue with the USAC (National University) tests. Later she went to review her life plan, reminded herself of the commitments she had made at that time and remembered her dreams again.

She plucked up the courage to face what was needed, she prepared much more and with perseverance she won the last year, she is now a San Carlios student, she finished her first semester at the University in General Medicine, and she is very happy because her life plan is carrying out. Clarisa learned that life is not linear as it seems, that it can be like a roulette wheel, and that it is up to each person to rise to the occassion or remain stagnant. As well, as a result of the course with Filantropis, Clarisa is more aware of her expenses and is taking control of her financial life.

Clarisa expresses her appreciation for being engaged in meaningful activities. As part of her studies, she is doing an internship at a nursing home; this practical experience has reinforced her energy to study medicine and she is pleased to put her skills into professional practice. Clarisa says: "I realized that the limiting beliefs will be there, but when I received the course I learned that I have to see negative things in a different way, keeping a positive mind and a positive attitude will help me a lot not to give up, and recognize my potential.”