Scholarship

Our College Scholarship Program At Centro Maya Xela.

Starting in 1993 with the founding of our school, we began a full college scholarship program for young indigenous women from various Maya linguistic groups. Our program offers these women full tuition and room and board in a residence, as well as full coverage of all other education-related expenses. The young women live together in an atmosphere of mutual support which enables them to continue strengthening their Maya identities. In Guatemala, there still exists discrimination against indigenous people, but for Mayan women, the discrimination is not only ethic-based, but gender- based as well.

"Please consider donating to our scholarship program. You can make an immediate difference in the lives of many, for generations to come, because education is the path out of poverty" .

In order to select women for this program, Centro Maya distributes application forms to all secondary institutions in Maya areas. The requirements are the following: Applicants must demonstrate a strong dedication to continued studies at the University level and maintain a good academic standing. Likewise, they must be women from indigenous communities who speak an indigenous language. Finally, they must express a desire to return to their communities upon completing their studies with the goal of using their education to contribute directly to local development. In the fall of each year, Centro Maya conducts a workshop with the applicants, in an effort to get to know them better and thus select those who best meet the requirements of the program. All applicants, however, benefit from the workshop, which serves to strengthen their identities and self-esteem. They each have the opportunity to analyze critically their role as women in small indigenous communities, and likewise seek ways to improve their status and assume leadership roles, breaking down age-old stereotypes while maintaining Maya identities.

Students who study at Centro Maya have the opportunity to meet and interact with these young women on a daily basis, and especially on certain Wednesdays when we make a trip to the university residence. During this time, the scholarship recipients organize an informal conference to relate something of their lives and studies to students. Students have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the lives of indigenous women in Guatemala during these gatherings, as well as details about the specific organization of the scholarship recipients’ residence. Students and visitors to Centro Maya have routinely described these encounters as tremendously valuable and enlightening.

The scholarship program at Centro Maya Xela represents the hopes and dreams of indigenous women who have aspirations of making a difference in our country for generations to come. One of the requirements for the university scholarship participants is that these women return to their poor local communities and work after graduating. Some of the scholarship participants are now physicians, attorneys, social workers and community leaders. Through their education they are making a huge difference in their small and poor communities. By studying Spanish with Centro Maya you are not just learning a language, but you are helping make the dreams of these young indigenous women come true.

Meet some of our scholarship participants:

Socorro is from Sololá, and she belongs to the Kaqchikel linguistic group. Socorro began her studies in Medicine in 2000 and graduated in 2007

Asusselly is from Xela, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and she belongs to the Q ́anjob ́al linguistic group. Asusselly joined our scholarship program in 2014. She is studying to be an auditor and will be graduating in 2021

Jazmin is from Santa Eulalia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala and she belongs to the Q ́anjob ́al linguistic group. Jazmín joined our scholarship program in 2017. She is studying to be an Industrial Ingeneering and will be graduating in 2023

Susana is from Nebaj, Quiché Guatemala and she belongs to the Ixil linguistic group. Susana entered our scholarship program in 2006 and recently received her bachelors degree in physiotherapy in 2013. She is now working on her town.

Martina is from Santa Eulalia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala and she belongs to the Q ́anjob ́ linguistic group. Martina was a participant in our scholarship program from 2000 until 2008. She graduated in 2011 from law school and is currently working at the Instituto de la Defensa Pública Penal in her town.

Griselda is from San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala she belongs to the Kiché linguistic group. She graduated from law school 2005 and is now a practicing attorney in her home town.

Carolina is from Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá Guatemala and she belongs to the Kiché linguistic group. Carolina entered into our scholarship program in 2006 and graduated in March 2012. She received her bachelors degree in psychology.

Leticia is from Concepción Tutuapa, San Marcos, Guatemala and she belongs to the Mam linguistic group. She is studied to be a nurse and graduated on November 18th, 2016.

Gladys is from Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá she belongs to the Kiché linguistic group. Gladys joined our scholarship program in 2007 and graduated in 2009 as a nurse practitioner. She is now working in her town.

Ingrid is from Nebaj, Quiché, Guatemala and she belongs to the Itil linguistic group. She is studying to be a doctor and joined our scholarship program in medicine in 2012. After graduating in 2020, Ingrid plans on returning to her small, rural community to practice medicine.

Beatriz is from Concepción Tutuapa, San Marcos, Guatemala and she belongs to the Mam linguistic group. Beatriz joined our scholarship program in 2007 and graduated as a nurse technician in 2010. She is currently working in the rural communities of Ixtahuacán, San Marcos, Guatemala.

Mildred is from Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. She belongs to the Popti (or Jakalteko) linguistic group. Mildred joined our scholarship program in 2019. She is studying to be an Attorney and will be graduating in 2023.

Verónica is from Momostenango, Totonicapán, Guatemala. She belongs to the Kiché linguistic group. Verónica joined our scholarship program in 2019. She is studying to be an College Professor (Pedagogy/Education) and will be graduating in 2023