Sandra Maria Xol Paau lives in San Juan Chamelco in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Since 2016, she has participated in the Women in Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC) program through our partner, Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC). Her experience with WALC has transformed her life in ways she never could have imagined. 

According to Sandra, while she has learned about environmental conservation, the WALC program has also provided so much more. 

"It has also opened paths to pursue my dreams. I have had the opportunity to learn from committed and inspiring people. I have also seen the positive impact that we can have on our communities and the world. Through WALC, I have learned the importance of working in a team and fighting for our goals. Each step on this path has brought me closer to my aspirations."

Sandra is bursting with excitement about the upcoming year, and she is feeling incredibly optimistic about her bright future. She is planning on continuing her studies at Mariano Galvaz University. Majoring in sociolinguistics, she is specifically studying bilingual and intercultural education. She chose this area of study, because it allows her "to contribute to the education of our communities and to promote respect for our languages and cultures." 

Sandra expresses her profound gratitude for the friends of LPGM who have contributed to WALC scholarships. She shares, "Your generosity and commitment have been fundamental for my education journey. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in us and the world we can create." She believes that LPGM supporters are a crucial part of her story and the stories of many other young women like her.

Donate to a WALC ScholarshipWatch Sandra's video message