18 Years of Shaping Women Leaders
We’re celebrating 18 years of female leadership! What began with a bold question—how far could an Indigenous woman go if she had access to quality education?—has grown into a powerful
October 10, 2025
Here’s to the 5th class of graduate Girl Pioneers
We believe in the power of saying “Yes.”
In a country where Indigenous girls often hear countless “no”. No to education, no to opportunity, no to dreaming big. But today, we are celebrating a resounding “Yes!” that comes from leadership, from courage, and from the dreams that drive transformation.
Today, we can’t wait to introduce you to the 5th class of graduates. Each one of them represents what happens when possibility meets determination, when a “Yes” opens doors to new futures.
“Being a Girl Pioneer changed my life. My grandmother and my mother had their first child at 18. I am 18 now, and I’m breaking that cycle—my dreams are big. I will begin my university studies next year, and I hope to join community groups where I can use my voice in shaping decisions.”
Ana Tuy, MAIA Graduate
At MAIA, we know that inequity in Guatemala is inherited. The path for Indigenous women and girls is often shaped by systemic barriers: poverty, limited access to education, and early motherhood. But together, we are rewriting this story.
As we celebrate this milestone for the newest graduating class, we are reminded that our mission is more than education. It’s about empowering girls to become leaders, shaping communities, and proving that with support, guidance, and opportunity, change is possible.
“At MAIA, I learned how to use the power of my voice. Now I am an inspiration for my entire family, especially my younger siblings, because they ask me to teach them the things I’ve learned. Carrying that responsibility is meaningful, and it fills me with pride. I want to keep studying and grow into a leader who expands and strengthens educational opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.”
Dulce Pocop, MAIA Graduate
Just like Ana and Dulce, there are 40 more dreams, goals, and hopes for transformation being nurtured every day. Each graduating Girl Pioneer represents an infinite array of new opportunities and a collective “Yes” to creating the systemic change we all envision, being a force for change.
By investing in education, leadership, and empowerment, you are directly contributing to a future where Indigenous women and girls lead with courage and transform their communities.
Join us in this celebration of saying “yes” by watching the graduation ceremony HERE.
We are proud, we are inspired, and we are energized because this is only the beginning! Let’s be witnesses to the next generation of leaders.
Keep an eye on what’s coming next!
In the next stories, you’ll meet the people who keep this force alive—the girls who lead with courage, the families who believe in new futures, and the team who walks alongside them. Their journeys remind us what is possible when we choose to move forward together.
We are a force for change!
We’re celebrating 18 years of female leadership! What began with a bold question—how far could an Indigenous woman go if she had access to quality education?—has grown into a powerful
From facing barriers in her own education to becoming a role model for young indigenous women, Ixchely transforms every challenge into an opportunity to inspire.
This new Strategic Plan 2025-2029 clearly outlines our strategies for achieving long-term impact and systemic change in the communities we serve.
MAIA USA
Tax Identification Number (EIN) 68-0652444
Asociación MAIA
Tax Identification Number (NIT) 6896913-9.
Guatemala Office:
Km. 137, Caserío Xolbé,
Cantón El Tablón, Sololá, Guatemala
US Office:
Postner Center
1031 33rd Street Denver, CO 80205
Every year at the MAIA Impact School, we welcome a new generation of Girl Pioneers. It is a transformative journey that changes the trajectory of the future of their lives, families, and the broader community.
With your investment, these remarkable young women will break cycles of poverty and build a brighter future.