Teresa Roselda and her family participated in nearly every aspect of Limitless Horizons Ixil’s wraparound services since she entered middle school in 2013 to 2020 when COVID hit and the family qualified to receive monthly food rations through the organization. For Roselda and her family, Limitless Horizons Ixil was so much more than a scholarship program—it was a lifeline, providing resources, opportunities, and guidance that impacted the entire family’s life.
For Roselda’s six younger siblings, all following in her footsteps to pursue an education, the community library continues to be a haven where they can complete homework, participate in storytime, and enjoy activities and books during school vacations. Meanwhile, her mother (pictured here) found financial and personal growth through our artisan program, learning new skills and creating weavings and jewelry and earning a fair wage. “Long before Colegio Horizontes, the organization always looked for ways to help my entire family succeed,” Roselda recalls fondly.
As a scholarship recipient through the Youth Development Program (now Colegio Horizontes) Roselda benefited from Limitless Horizons Ixil’s diverse services in a myriad of ways. Paid work study in the LHI office during her time off from school taught her valuable skills in accounting, childcare, and problem-solving, and— for the first time—gave her access to her own money.
After graduating from high school, her year-long administrative internship with Limitless Horizons Ixil not only provided professional training but also qualified her for a university scholarship to study Business Administration. According to Roselda, “Limitless Horizons Ixil’s support opened my eyes to new opportunities and gave me work experience that helped me jump-start my career.”
Beyond academics, the organization supported her family with frequent training sessions for parents on topics from women’s rights and family planning to healthy communication between children and parents. These sessions were inclusive, ensuring accessibility even for those who couldn’t read or write. “The impact Horizontes left on my family is incredible,” Roselda says. “My parents never had the chance to attend school or workshops before, but thanks to Limitless Horizons Ixil, they participated in regular workshops for seven years.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s support expanded to include monthly food rations for her family of nine, which Teresa describes as “extremely impactful” during a time when work was scarce, curfews prevented people from leaving their homes, and the family’s economy was tighter than ever. Even now, as a graduate (Emerging Leader), Roselda remains part of the organization through alumni social gatherings and training for Emerging Leaders.
Roselda’s journey with Limitless Horizons Ixil is a remarkable example of the transformative impact of our holistic approach to empowering families and communities in Chajul. As a result, Roselda has become the first in her family to graduate from college and have a formal job, joining the ranks of the just 6% of Chajul’s population in the formal workforce.As the secretary at a local cooperative bank, Roselda continues to apply the skills she gained during her time as a scholar, work-study recipient, and intern with the organization. “My entire family is so grateful for all the opportunities we have had,” she says. “LHI doesn’t just support their scholars, but entire families and the whole community.”
