Limitless Horizons Ixil / Horizontes Sin Límites IxilLimitless Horizons Ixil / Horizontes Sin...

LimitlessHorizonsIxil/HorizontesSinLímitesIxil1001SmithGrade FrentealsalónmunicipalSantaCruz,California95060 CantónIlom,Chajul,Quiché14005UnitedStates Guatemala

www.limitlesshorizonsixil.orginfo@limitlesshorizonsixil.org

BriefBackgroundandHistoryLimitlessHorizons Ixil (LHI) is anon‐religious,non‐partisanGuatemala‐basedorganization that combines localand international resources andexpertise to realize its goals. LHI’smission is towork in partnershipwith theindigenous Maya Ixil community of Guatemala to create opportunities for empowerment and to advancesustainablecommunitydevelopmentinChajul.LHI serves the community of Chajul. With a population of around 50,000, Chajul is one of three countiesbelongingtothesecludedIxilregionintheDepartmentofQuichéinthewesternhighlandsofGuatemala.Theentire region is tucked amongst beautiful mountains and has maintained its rich Mayan Ixil traditions andlanguages;Chajul’sresidentsspeaktheirowndistinctivedialectoftheIxillanguage.Chajulwasparticularlyhardhit by the 36‐year longGuatemalan civilwar, duringwhich over 200,000 indigenous peoplewere killed. Thepopulationcontinuestosufferfromcomplexpost‐wareffectssuchaslanddisplacement,emotionaltrauma,anddivided families. InChajul,entire families live inone‐roomadobehouseswithdirt floors, very little light,andpoorventilation. Smoke fromopencooking firesblackens thewallsof thehomesandpresents severehealthrisks to families. As indicated in a study commissioned by the EuropeanUnion in 2002,1 Chajul’s economy isrooted incorn‐basedagriculture.Ninetypercentof thecommunity’scropproduction iscorn,95%ofwhich isusedforfamilyself‐consumption.Duetounsanitarylivingconditions,intensesmokeinhalationfromopenfires,anddietsthatconsistpredominantlyofcorn,thethreeleadingcausesofdeatharerespiratoryproblemssuchaspneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis (34%), intestinal infections and illnesses (17%), and malnutrition(13.7%).Women and children are at a particular disadvantage in Chajul. Only five percent of children graduate frommiddleschoolandlessthanonepercentgraduatefromhighschool.Thisisduetobothfinanciallimitationsandtheexpectationthatchildrenshould leaveschoolatanearlyagetocontributetothefamily incomewith jobssuchasworkinginthefields,hand‐washingclothes,producingartisanproducts,carryingwood,orshiningshoes.Consequently,75%oftheadultpopulationinChajulisilliterateandmonolingualIxil.Ofthisgroup,girlsareatanevengreaterdisadvantageandareconsistentlygivenfeweropportunitiesthanboys,astheireducationisseenaslessimportant.Guatemalahasanalarming35‐45%unemploymentrate,andChajulinparticularhasveryfewoptionsforpeoplewhoseekanhonestwaytomakeasufficient living.Seventy‐onepercentofthepopulation(94%ofwomenand47%ofmen)onlycanfindtemporaryworkforshortperiodsatatime.EightypercentofChajul’spopulationlivesingeneralpoverty,andofthat,25%liveinextremepoverty.Ofthis25%,alargeportionaresinglewomenwithfamilies.Menearnanaverageof4,235Quetzales(approximately$513)peryear,while

1SeeProyectoIxil’sProyectoafavordelarehabilitaciónyelautosostenimientodelareaIxil,aconsultatorystudybyThomasPijnenburgPh.D.,commissionedbytheEuropeanUnion,October2002.

womenonlyearnanaverageof412Quetzales (approximately$50). Inaddition,manywomenandchildren inChajulsufferfromdomesticviolence.LHIenvisionsaChajulthatisbecomingaproductive,self‐sustainingcommunitywithequalgenderopportunitiesforadequateemploymentandliteracy,accesstohigh‐qualityhealthcareandschools,solidinfrastructure,andaffordablelivingcosts,whichembracesandstaystruetoitsMayaIxiltraditions,heritage,andlanguage.LHIwasfoundedin2004byChajulnativePedroCabaandAmericansocialworkerKatieMorrow.Pedrogrewupin Chajul and is the first person from the community to graduate from university; he holds a degree in CivilEngineering and is a certifiedMayan culture guide. Katie, who holds aMaster’s degree in SocialWork, wasinspiredbythepeopleofChajul,aswellasshockedbytheextremepovertyandlackofopportunities.Byunitingtheirinsightsandexperiences,togetherPedroandKatiehavecreatedanorganizationthatcombineslocalandinternationalresourcesandexpertiseandremainscommittedtobothitslocalandinternationalroots.ThedirectionofLHI’sprogramsisdeterminedaccordingtofeedbackfromthecommunityabouttheirneedsandLHI’scapacitytomeetthem.ThestaffinChajulcontinuestomonitortheseneedsthroughouttheyear.BasedonLHI’sresearch,itisLHI’svisiontoservethecommunity’sneedsby:

expandingopportunitiesforeducationandliteracy; investinginemploymentandworkforcedevelopment; empoweringwomenandpromotinggenderequity; empowering,educatingandsupportingyouth; protectingandsustainingthenaturalenvironment; improvingthequalityofhealthandwell‐being; facilitatingthedevelopmentoflivablehousingandsanitarylivingconditions; fosteringsociallyresponsibleopportunitiesforeconomicgrowth; promotingthecommunitythrougheducationaltourism; buildingacollaborativeandcooperativecommunity;and preservingandpromotingtheIxilculture.

Guidedbythisvision,LHIbeganascholarshipandyouthdevelopmentprogramin2005,supporting10studentsandtheir familieswithascholarshipcoveringtuitionandschoolsupplies.Thefollowingyear,LHIexpandedtoinclude28students,whoseacademiccareerswerefurthersupportedbyasmallLHI libraryandaprofessionaltutorandcomputerteacher,whotaughtclassesandmentoredthestudents.In2007,LHIgrantedscholarshipsto38studentsandincreasedtheinventoryofitslibrarybyover50%.In2009,LHIhaditsfirsthighschoolclass,andby2010theprogramhasgrowntoover70students.In2008and2009,LHIexperiencedsubstantialorganizationalgrowth,withthesupportofpartner‐organizationPhilanthropiece.Havinghadastrongfoundationinthecommunityfromthestart,LHIincreaseditspresencebymovingitsofficeinordertoopentheLHICommunityCenterintheveryheartofChajul.ThisnewspacemadeitpossibleforLHItoexpanditscomputer labandprogramming,holdworkshopsandtrainings,andstartseveralnew initiatives related toworkforceandeconomicdevelopment,women’sempowerment, leadership,health,and education. These additional programs have complemented the scholarship program by providing LHIstudents,families,andthecommunityasawholewiththesupportstheyneedtosucceedintheirstudiesandincrease employment opportunities. The expansion of LHI’s work includes hosting university service‐learninggroups, initiating workforce development programs, and the opening of Chajul’s first public library. Havingalready finalized non‐governmental organization legal status in Guatemala in 2006, LHI was granted 501(c)3statusintheUSin2009.In2010,LHIisdeepeningitsimpactinChajulbyfurtherdevelopingexistingprogramsandexploringnewpartnerships.

Founded in order to meet the extreme need for community development, gender equality, education, andworkforce development in the Chajul area, LHI remains one of a few NGO organizations equipped withappropriate languageandculturalskillstoservetheisolatedChajulcountry.Thankstoco‐founderPedroCabaand a team of highly qualified local and international professionals, LHI enjoys a direct link to andunprecedented trust among Chajul’s residents. LHI is proud of its innovative approach of encouragingsustainabledevelopmentthroughcommunityempowermentandbuy‐in;LHIisthefirstorganizationtodothisinChajul.LHI’sstyleallowsmembersofthecommunitytofeelthepridegainedthroughworkandtorecognizetheservicestheyreceiveasearnedandwelldeserved,ratherthanasafreehandout.LHIconsiders itselfapartof thecommunityofChajulandstrivesto listencarefully,promote local leadership,andcontinuetobearesponsiveandresponsiblepartnerforthedevelopmentofnewandsustainableinitiativesthatwillimprovewell‐beinginChajul–educationally,economically,andenvironmentally.

LHI’sProgramsLHImanages10communityprograms,whichserveawiderangeofChajul’smosturgentneeds.Theprogramsareinvaryingdegreesofdevelopment–somehavebeenestablishedforyears,continuingtogrowandprogress,andwhileotherswerestartedduringthepastyear.ScholarshipsThe LHI scholarship programbeginswith students entering in 7th grade (the first year ofmiddle school), andstudents are eligible to continuewith an LHI scholarship throughoutmiddle andhigh school. The scholarshipopportunityisadvertisedthroughpresentationsinallofChajul’s6thgradeclassrooms,ontheradio,withflyers,and through word of mouth. LHI selects scholarship recipients through an essay evaluation and 1‐3 hourinterviews with the student and family in their home, which are used to determine financial need andmotivation–thetwokeyfactorsforscholarshipselection.ThegreatmajorityofLHIscholarshipstudentswouldnotbe able to continue their educationwithout their scholarship.Girls face greaterbarriers to education, asseenbythegendergapineducationalachievementinChajul;LHIthusensuresthattwo‐thirdsofitsscholarshiprecipients are girls. LHI scholarships cover the costs of tuition and other school expenses, supplies, tutoring,computerclasses.StudentsalsohaveaccesstotheLHIstudentstudycenterwithitslibraryandcomputerlab,anannual field trip, social events, graduation celebration, as well as opportunities through all of LHI’s othercommunityprograms. In return for their scholarship, studentsareexpected towrite letters to their sponsors,complete a community service requirement by taking care of their student library according to a rotationschedule,andattendLHImeetings.DuetoChajul’sextremelyhighilliteracyrate,mostparentscannothelptheirchildren with their schoolwork. LHI provides scholarship students with weekly tutoring sessions with a localteacher, giving them theopportunity to getprofessional helpwith their assignments aswell as time toworktogether with their peers. Tutoring is offered to all interested students, and is required for those with lowgrades.Theteacherhelpsstudentswiththeirhomeworkandreinforcesgoodstudyandcritical thinkingskills,which Chajul’s students often do not develop through their formal education. LHI strives to present itsscholarshipstudentswiththecomprehensiverangeofservicestoprovidethemwiththesupportnecessaryforacademicandpersonalsuccess.ScholarshipStudentStudyCenterwithComputerLabAll LHI scholarship students have access to a study center, including a small library, work space, and sixcomputers to support their academicneeds, aswell as consistent attention fromLHI staff. Students are veryeagertouseLHI’sresourcestocompletetheirhomeworkassignments.Theyareoftengivenworkthatrequiresresearchand/orveryspecificmaterials,whichareverydifficulttofindinChajul.However,usingtheresourcesinthelibraryoracomputer,studentscansuccessfullycompletetheirassignments.Thestudentlibraryhasbookscoveringtherangeoftopicsthatstudentsstudyinschool,whichstudentscanborroworworkwithinthestudycenter. In addition, computers provide a wealth of valuable information for students through programs likeEncarta.Thecomputerlabisalsoausefuloptionfortypingrequiredassignments,asthealternativeisgoingtoanexpensiveinternetcafe.StudentsaregiventheopportunitytoattendcomputerclasseswithanexperiencedteacheronSaturdaymornings,whichareparticularlyusefulbecausemiddleschoolsrequirestudentstolearntouseacomputer.TheopportunitytotakeadvantageofthestudycenterandcomputerlabisoneofthereasonsstudentsaremostexcitedtobeintheLHIscholarshipprogram.Asmoststudentsliveinovercrowded,dark,andsmokyone‐roomhouseswithdirtfloors,thestudycenterprovidesthemwithausefulwell‐equippedspacefordoingtheirschoolwork.SaberSinLímites–PublicLibraryLHIestablishedChajul’sfirstpubliclibrary,SaberSinLímites(LimitlessKnowledge),whichopenedtothepublicinFebruary2010.EducationprofessionalsinChajulexpressedthedesperateneedforalibrary,asstudentshavenoaccesstoresourcesforresearch,completinghomeworkassignments,orreading;schoolsdonotevenhavebooks to offer their students. Because homes are typically smoky, crowded, and poorly lit, the library willprovide a valuable quiet space for students, teachers, and the rest of the community to read, study, and

research.InChajul,thereisnocultureofreadingandstudentsspendverylittletimeontheirstudiesoutsideofschool;the libraryprovidesaspacethatsupportsthepracticeofreadingandstudying.LHI’s librarianwillalsohold storyhours foryoungchildrenandconductworkshopswith localyouth. Inaddition, someof LHI’solderstudentsworkinthelibrary,providingthesestudentswithaproductiveworkopportunityandreinforcingtheirownappreciationforreadingandlibraryskills.Theyassistwithbookorganization,teachthecommunitytousethe library, help students with their homework, and spread the library’smission by encouraging children todiscoverthepleasuresofreading.ThelibraryhostsothercommunityeventsandLHIprogramssuchasteachertrainings,meetings,andtheCommunityKiosk.IntensiveSpanishInanefforttosupporttheeducationaldevelopmentofChajul’sstudentsandpreparethemforfutureworkforceand education requirements, LHI offers an annual Intensive Spanish course during students’ vacation fromschool.Chajul’spopulationisprimarilymonolingualIxil,alanguagethatisonlyspokenwithinahalfhourradiusof thetown.Becauseof this, strongSpanish languageabilitiesareanecessaryskill forschool (all subjectsaretaught inSpanish), forsuccess in findingwork,utilizingavailable resources,andknowinganddefendingone’srights.LHIbringsprofessionalSpanish language instructorstoChajultoteachthismonth‐long,70‐hourcoursewhich isopentothecommunity’smiddleandhighschoolstudents.Throughextensivepracticewithgrammarandvocabulary,thecourse improvesstudents’communicationandcomprehensionabilities,thusalsobuildingself‐confidenceandthewillingnesstopursueeducationalorworkopportunitiesoutsideofChajul.CareersThisprogrampreparesChajul’sstudentsforfuturecareersandeducatesthemabouttheirhighereducationandcareer options. LHI offers guidance counseling, preparation for entrance exams with math and languagereinforcement classes, opportunities for job shadowing and vocational training, panel presentations by localschoolalumniwhoworkasprofessionals,informationaboutscholarshipopportunitiesinChajulandaroundthecountry,andfieldtripstotheseeducationalinstitutions.LHIsupportsstudentsandtheirfamilieswithexploringandchoosingamongvarioushighschooloptions,theapplicationprocesses,exampreparation,schoolvisits,andtransportation.ThisprogramprovidesChajul’s studentswithaccess tovaluable information;acrucial supportforindigenouschildrenwithilliterateparentswhooftendonotprioritizeeducationandarerarelyencouragedtopursueacademicambitions.In2009,LHIpilotedtheprogrambyconductingacareerspresentationforall9thgraders in Chajul and opening the opportunity for high school guidance counseling to all these students. Inaddition,LHIpromotedtheFundaciónIxil’sscholarshipopportunityforanelitecombinedhighschool/universityprograminthecityofSololá.LHIsuccessfullyassisted13studentsearnthesescholarshipsbyprovidingintensivereinforcementcoursesinmathandSpanishlanguageandaccompanyingthestudentstoSololáforoneoftheirentrance exams. LHI will continue to provide students graduating from middle school with comprehensiveinformationdetailinghighschoolsandscholarshipoptionsaroundthecountry.Workto(L)earnThisprogram is awork‐studyopportunity for LHI scholarship studentsand their families, and is an importantconnector amongmanyof LHI’s other programs.Work to (L)earn gives students in their third year ofmiddleschool and above the opportunity to earn an additional quantity ofmoney eachmonth to supplement theirmodest scholarships. By givingChajul’s students theopportunity towork for their community’s developmentwithLHI,theycandeepentheirrelationshipwiththeircommunityandgainvaluableprofessionalskillsthatwillserve them in theircareers.ThroughWork to (L)earn, studentsand familiesaregivenopportunities toearnafare wage including working in LHI’s public library, building safe stoves, selling community health productsthroughCommunityKioskcampaigns,actingasguidesandculturalmediatorsforvisitorstoChajul,working inLHI’sorganicvegetablegarden,creatingartisanproductsthroughLHI’sartisanprogram,hostingtouristsintheirhome for a weaving or tortilla‐making activity, and cooking snacks for groups of visitors. Work to (L)earnencouragesstudentsandfamiliestoearnadditionalmoneyfortheireducation,providingthemwitha'hand‐up'rather than a 'hand‐out,' and allowing them to feel ownership and pride in their achievements. Thework is

empoweringandincreasesparticipants’self‐worthbyallowingthemtoearnmoneytowardstheirown,ortheirchild’s,education.SafeStovesAlmosteveryfamilyinChajulcooksoveranopenfireinsidethehomewithlittletonoventilation,producingasmoke‐filledlivingenvironment.Thedependenceonopenfirescompromiseshealthinanumberofways.Onlyonepotof foodcanbecookedata timeandthese firesrequirecontinuousattention.Therefore, familiesareconstantly inhaling smoke that causes severe lung andeyeproblems, and there are frequentburn accidents;these risks are greater for women and children who spendmore time near the fire thanmen. Respiratory‐relatedillnessesaretheleadingcauseofdeathinChajul.Inaddition,bothgirlsandboysasyoungasfouryearsold are often expected to carry heavy loads of firewood from distances up to a two hours’ walk away,precariouslystrappedtotheirheadwitharope.OpenfiresnegativelyimpacttheenvironmentastheirexcessivefirewoodconsumptionhasresultedinextensivedeforestationintheIxilarea;smokefromthefiresalsoresultsin poor overall air quality. LHIworkswith Community Enterprise Solutions, an Ixil‐region based internationalNGO, to sell safe stoves to Chajul’s families at a fair and sustainable price. These stoves, constructedwith achimneytochannelsmokeoutofthehouse,provideasmoke‐freehomeenvironmentanduseonlyhalfofthefirewood required for an open fire. Safe stoves also make for a safer and cleaner home environment, givewomenmoretimetoearnanincome,andallowchildrenmoretimetoplayorconcentrateontheirstudies,astheydonothavetocollectnearlyasmuchfirewood.Asafestovecontributestoafamily’shealthbydecreasingratesofaccidentsandeye‐andlung‐relatedhealthconditions. CommunityKioskInpartnershipwithCommunity Enterprise Solutions, LHIhasbrought a communityhealth‐promoting kiosk toChajul.Thiskioskprovidesthecommunitywithaccesstousefulproductsthatareunabletobefoundelsewhere.Purifyingwater filters, solar‐powered lamps, readingglasses,energyefficient lightbulbs,andvegetable seedsare all available through the kiosk at fair market prices. A group of LHI’s female students and mothers aretrained to be kiosk sales representatives, learning about the science behind thewater purifiers, how to givebasiceyeexams,etc.Thisincreasestheirself‐confidenceandleadershipskills,preparingthemforemploymentopportunities.ThesegirlsregularlypublicizeandconductkioskcampaignsinChajulinorderraiseawarenessandselltheproducts,andkioskproductsarealwaysavailableforsaleinLHI’scommunityspace.ArtisanTheartisanprogramisbasedonpreservingandsharingthetraditionalMayanartsofweavingusingabackstraploom and hand embroidery. Chajul’swomen are incredibly skilled at creating beautiful, colorful textiles, in astylethat isdistinctivetotheregion.FemaleLHIstudentsandmotherscreateartisanproductssuchaswovenscarves and bookmarks, and embroidered shirts. Thework helpswomen and students develop business anddesignskills,therebydevelopingskillssotheycanbecomemoreself‐sufficient.LHIpaysafairwagefortheworkandprovidesthewomenwithconsistentemploymentopportunitiesandincome,aswellasfurthertraining.LHIbuys the artisan products at a fair price, and then sells them internationally to raise funds to support itsprogramsinChajul,thusbothdirectlyandindirectlyreturningtheproceedstothecommunity.SustainableTourismLHI’s brings visitors to Chajul in two ways, by hosting both international groups and local tourists. Forinternationalgroups,LHIhostsagroupofstudentsorothervisitorswhoparticipateinculturalactivitiesand/orcomplete a service project during their visit. Local tourism with LHI targets visitors who are travelingindependentlyandwishtovisitChajul.SustainableTourismpromotesChajul’srichculturewhilestimulatingthelocal economy through employment of LHI families and other Chajul residents, who host activities in theirhomes, act as guides, cookmeals and snacks, host hotel stays, and have an opportunity to sell their artisanproducts. LHI’s tourismprogramempowers thewomen and children of Chajul as they lead activities such astortilla making, weaving, and demonstrating the cooking of their traditional foods. This provides significant

opportunitiestosharetheirculturewithforeignersandforwell‐payingwork.LHIstudentsalsoactasguidesfortourists,takingthemonhikestotraditionalMayanritualsitesandtoursaroundtown,whichdevelopstheirself‐confidence and social skills, both important for future jobs. Alternative break trips give international collegestudents the opportunity to volunteer in Chajulwith LHI, learn about the local history and culture, and gainawarenessofindigenousculture,genderinequality,andpovertyconditionsinruralGuatemala.Visitinggroupshavebuiltasportcourtforamiddleschool,pouredconcretefloorsfor3elementaryschoolclassrooms,plantedorganicfamilyvegetablegardens,heldawomen’sempowermentworkshop,refurbishedandbuiltamodelsafestoveintheLHICommunityCenter,andpreparedLHI’spubliclibraryforopening.SustainableTourismprovidesLHI with international volunteers, budgets for community projects, and income that is reinvested in thecommunity. InJanuaryof2009and2010,LHIhostedgroupsfromBrownUniversityduringtheirwinterbreak.LHIhasalsoreceivedvisitsfromtheNGOsPhilanthropiece,MothersActingUp,andColoradoYouthforaChange(CYC)aswellasindividualtouristsfromavarietyofcountries.