These students have demonstrated a determination to continue their education against staggering odds. They have been nurtured and given guidance during their first 6 years of education by the programs offered by La Casita. We have witnessed their development and their growing hunger for more education, their pride in being the first in their families to finish grade 6, and their increasing confidence. They have been carefully selected through a rigorous process, involving individual and family interviews, grades and assessment of motivation and commitment.
These are translated excerpts from interviews with the 11 students receiving scholarships in 2026. They were asked to give us a short glimpse of themselves and their needs for the scholarships.
Ayda
She is in Grade 10 and attending CETEC FORMA a new, progressive Middle School in Panajachel. She is 15 years old and lives with her 3 siblings and her mom. Her dad passed away during Covid. She helps earn the family income by weaving scarves. In spite of this, she has the determination to keep studying and become a professional woman to help her mom, her siblings and her community.
Daniela
She is in Grade 10 and is attending CETEC FORMA a new, progressive Middle School in Panajachel. She is an enthusiastic fifteen-year-old who is determined to overcome the challenges in her early life. She understands that women need an opportunity to overcome their poverty through education. She is proud of her mom who could not attend school but encourages her to keep studying.
Rosa
She is fifteen years old and the oldest of 3 siblings. She wants to show her neighbours and all the people that do not trust in education for girls that they are wrong. She is putting in a lot of effort to do well at school and achieve her dream and her mother’s dream as well. Her mom did not have a chance to go to school but they both believe that women can change their path through education.
Marinela
She is grateful that her mom has given her the opportunity of attending school. She wants to overcome the challenges that affect and underestimate the girls and women in this country. She dreams about having a better opportunity in life through education and to dignify the role of women.
Yesica
A thoughtful student who sees education as the path to greater knowledge and opportunity for the Mayan community. She advocates for better support in public schools.
Yoselin
A smart and sparkly girl. She lives with her mom and siblings. Her dad died awhile ago. In spite of facing many challenges in a single parent home, she is motivated to keep studying and support her mom in the future.
Leiveldina
She is the third of 3 siblings and the first in the family that is getting an education. Her older sister did not have this opportunity. Her dad died recently. Her mom is a very hard worker and now has the responsibility of the family. Leiveldina feels sorry for her mom but at the same time she is encouraged to keep studying, accomplish her goals and support her mom in the future.
Ximena
Ximana is in Grade 11 at the local village high school and is studying to become a preschool teacher. she lives with her mom, and her dream is to overcome their hard situation through education and have a better life for her and her mom who did not have the opportunity of going to school. So, thanks to this scholarship she has been able to keep going and achieving her dream this year. Here you can see her doing her community service teaching to the little kids at La Casita and growing as a person because it is not just community service but also a way that she gets to overcome her fears and empower herself.
Miguel
Miguel attends CETEC and is in Grade 8. Miguel is a hard-working young man. He lives with his family in San Antonio. He wants to continue with his education in order to support his family. His siblings could not go to school due to the lack of resources; therefore, he wants to continue with is studies to be an example to his siblings. His father is a farmer but the money he makes is not enough to cover family expenses and give his children an education. Miguel works with his dad in the fields to help make a little bit more money. His mother is a housewife; she oversees the house chores and takes care of the family. There are times where they can’t make enough money to cover their expenses and that has made Miguel seek for help to continue with his education. The desire to continue studying and supporting his family one day is obvious in Miguel’s face and we are sure he is going to do great things to achieve his dreams and goals.
Maynor
Maynor attends CETEC and is in Grade 8. Maynor lives in a family of 5, he has two siblings and his parents. Maynor’s parents are illiterate; they were never able to go to school because they didn’t have the resources to do it and neither of them has a formal job. His father has diabetes and the rest of the family do everything they can to afford the medication he needs. His mother is a weaver, she sells her products on the streets, and the little money she makes goes towards household expenses and medication. When his dad finds work, he works as a sailor. They live on the money they make each day. Maynor dreams to continue with his education to be able to offer his family a better life. He is a smart boy with big dreams and goals. Maynor is a very artistic boy who dreams to study graphic design in the future.
Roxana
Roxana is receiving a scholarship for the first time and is attending CETEC. Roxana is 13 years old, and is in Grade 8. Her wish is to keep studying as her dream is to become a doctor, her mom is trying to support her but life is not easy since their economic hardships threaten her studies and that means that she will the keep the same path as her mom has had but Roxana Maria has the potential of changing her path through education, she wants to build a nice house for her mom and for her.