WALC Winter Session 

Women in Agroecology for Leadership Conservation (WALC) is a holistic leadership training program for Q'eqchi' Maya girls and single young women ages 13-26 in the Central Highlands of Guatemala. WALC's most recent session was a great success, drawing 145 participants! The session ran from November 30 - December 13, and WALC participants celebrated the first day of advent (see above) on their second day of the session.

Rob Cahill, CCFC's co-founder, reported that this WALC session was "probably one of the best WALC sessions ever" due to the exceptional depth and maturity of the 18 teachers. He gushed, "This was a zenith - a real high point - for the WALC program."

Lidia's Young Cousin Follows in her Footsteps to Break Cycle of Poverty

Lidia, a current WALC coordinator and past participant, started attending the WALC program after 6th grade. The photo above shows Lidia (right) at her 9th grade graduation in 2013 with her cousin (middle) and her cousin's baby (left). Lidia's cousin never attended the WALC program, and like many Q'eqchi' Maya girls who don't stay in school, she got pregnant quite young.

Rob explained that Lidia's cousin represents "the default setting for students for don't keep studying." He shares, "They generally get pregnant at a very young age, and then the whole cycle of poverty and malnutrition kind of continues."

While her mother wasn't able to break the cycle, Lidia's cousin's daughter is hoping to follow in Lidia's footsteps. According to Rob Cahill, CCFC's co-founder, "This little girl in her cousin's arms is now 14 and wants to go in the WALC program."

Attending the WALC Program and staying in school past 6th grade will give this young girl a better chance at a brighter future.

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