When 39-year-old Rosa was a young girl in Chajul, Guatemala, the future was not bright. A civil war had destroyed much of the community, poverty was unavoidable, and education took a backseat to mere survival.
Now, with the partnership of friends like you, Limitless Horizons Ixil is helping transformational changes take root — mothers are able to support their families, young women are attending university and becoming professionals, and community literacy is slowly climbing. With Mother’s Day around the corner, we’d like to introduce you to Rosa and her family.
Please consider making a gift to support inspiring mothers like Rosa as they create a vibrant community and a brighter future!
Rosa is a hardworking and talented artisan, weaving shawls and huipiles (intricate and colorful blouses). She is a mother of 2, having lost 2 children as babies. She was very fortunate to attend more school than most Chajul mothers, but doesn’t have the skills necessary for work in the formal economy. Her husband had to go to the capital 6 hours away to find work and has little to send home after covering his living expenses. This leaves Rosa as the primary breadwinner for the family.
As a member of the Limitless Horizons Ixil Artisan Program, Rosa receives a consistent, fair income for her work — something not possible selling in local markets. Rosa is determined to give her children a better future than her own.
Rosa’s daughter Johanna is 14. She’s an eager student, earning high 
grades and successes in public speaking competitions. After her baby brother’s death 2 years ago, Johanna resolved to become a doctor to help other children like him.
The Youth Development Program provides Johanna with individualized support plus tuition, supplies, 6 hours weekly of academic enrichment and computer classes, and life skills workshops.
Limitless Horizons Ixil supports Johanna’s educational and personal development so that she could be the first in her family to go to college. Rosa is hopeful that Johanna will be an educated, independent young woman with a voice to affect change in her community, and your contribution today will go a long way toward making that happen.
Wilmer, 10, is Rosa’s youngest. He has been coming to the Saber Sin Límites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library since kindergarten, when he was drawn in by story hour. Now, Wilmer still visits every day for the homework space, reference books, and reading clubs, and he loves reading history and stories from around the world.
In Wilmer’s own words: “The library has a had a big impact on helping kids in Chajul learn to read and to be excited about learning!” This is exactly our goal — please make a donation today to increase our impact on literacy and learning in Chajul.
Illiteracy is pervasive in Chajul, and most parents are not able to teach their children to read. The community library is breaking this cycle, ensuring that the generations after Wilmer’s are not only able to read, but can play an active role in their children’s education and community’s development.
Please give today to empower families like Rosa’s to create change.
We know that change is possible, and together, we can support Rosa and mothers like her to lead their families and create an educated future for generations to come.