For most young women in the rural villages of Alta Verapaz, education beyond 6th grade is out of reach. Facing limited resources, many parents send only their sons away to school. LPGM helps to fund a $275 scholarship for girls who then have access to the same opportunities as the boys, but also feel empowered in earning their own tuition, and the Leadership Training workshop also builds their self-esteem and confidence.
The Program
Women in Agroecology Leadership for Conservation
CCFC’s 25-day leadership training workshop for young women accepts 160 students each fall. CCFC has seen the difference a 25-day leadership workshop can make in the lives of young Mayan women. They are also proud that so many who go through the workshop choose to continue in school with the support of a CCFC agroecology work-study scholarship. These opportunities change the lives of young women and have a positive impact on their entire village and the ecological health of their region.
The dropout rate for girls matriculating from 6th to 7th grade in this area is higher than 75%. WALC participants from this same demographic have a less than 5% dropout rate. This is the amazing difference that the WALC leadership training workshop and a WALC scholarship can make.
230
young Q'eqchi' Maya women who participated in CCFC's WALC program in 2019
$275
cost to educate on Q'eqchi' Maya girl via the WALC program, including a school scholarship
95%
WALC participants who remain in school for another year, thank to a work-study scholarship
The Impact of Your Support
Our Partner
Community Cloud Forest Conservation
LPGM began a new partnership with Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC) in 2015. CCFC alleviates poverty and protects forests through education, reforestation, community development, leadership scholarships, and ecological improvements to agriculture. CCFC believes that holistic human and community development through education and capacity building is the key to conservation and peace building in Guatemala’s central highlands. Education, especially for young women, is crucial to the healthy and sustainable development of this region.
