Growing up in Chajul, Antonio was the oldest of five siblings in a family where educational opportunities were rare—his mother attended only one year of elementary school, and his father never had the chance to attend school. Because his parents were never able to study despite the deep desire to do so, Antonio’s father insisted on a different future for his children, often telling him, “I don’t want my story to be your story. Study!”
In 2009, eager to take advantage of any opportunity he could find, Antonio entered middle school with the support of Limitless Horizons Ixil: “Without the organization’s support, I probably wouldn’t have graduated middle or high school, let alone college,” Antonio reflects. He became the first in his family to achieve these milestones, going on to study English and Tourism, and earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration outside of Chajul.
After graduating, Antonio returned to Chajul, to realize he now had a unique skill: he could speak English! Even though he had never studied teaching, it was clear that the best way to use this skill in his community was as an English teacher. Initially, Antonio worked in a local public school, where large class sizes and short class periods made teaching frustrating. “I felt burnt out,” he admits. “There were almost 50 students per classroom, and little time for meaningful instruction.”
When an opportunity arose to teach at Colegio Horizontes, Antonio was hesitant–would it be just like every other teaching job he had held? But when he learned of Limitless Horizons Ixil’s innovative methodology, he got excited about teaching again. Having experienced being both a student and a teacher in local public schools, Antonio appreciates Colegio Horizontes’ small class sizes, ample resources, and the supportive environment that allow him to connect deeply with his students and colleagues.
Plus, Antonio’s own experience in the organization’s Youth Development Program gives him a unique perspective in the classroom. “I understand the pressure my own students feel to achieve high grades because I lived it,” he shares. “I’m empathetic, not authoritarian, because I remember how it felt when teachers didn’t understand my struggles.”
Looking back, Antonio credits LHI not only with his academic achievements but also with his personal growth. “Limitless Horizons Ixil taught me how to manage my emotions and be a role model,” he says. “I probably would have married young and missed these opportunities if it weren’t for the organization’s support.”
Today, Antonio takes pride in being part of Limitless Horizons Ixil and now Colegio Horizontes, both of which he credits for transforming the educational landscape in Chajul. “Families now want their children to study here,” he says. “Teaching at Colegio Horizontes feels like a way to give back to the organization that shaped my life.”
This giving season, support Limitless Horizons Ixil to empower more changemakers like Antonio.