November 24, 2025
Reflecting on 2025: What Collective Change Made Possible
As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to reflect on the year behind us—the conversations that shaped us, the lessons learned, and the collective belief that moved our work forward. This season invites gratitude, but also perspective: a moment to recognise what becomes possible when we choose to build change together.
For us at MAIA, this year was marked by growth, leadership, and a shared commitment. Led by the Girl Pioneers, communities, and staff members. As well as our partners, allies and donors. From our classrooms to meeting rooms, from local action to global conversations, each step forward reflected the power of Indigenous women leading their futures.
What follows is a reflection of that shared commitment—a collection of moments that, together, tell the story of how our collective force change took shape this year. We invite you to celebrate these moments with us:
This year we launched our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, a roadmap grounded in evidence, reflection, and our unwavering belief in the transformative power of women.
At MAIA, we maximize and amplify the transformative power of women to create a society with equity and opportunity. Our new strategic plan serves as our working theory of action, outlining how we will intentionally invest our resources, energy, and learning to move boldly toward our mission and vision over the next five years.
This year, the stories of Girl Pioneers, their families, staff and our organization travelled far beyond Guatemala. Through features in different media outlets, our voices reached Germany, Australia, Scotland, the USA, Guatemala and more. Sharing a powerful narrative of transformation rooted in education, community, and Indigenous women’s leadership.
These stories highlighted the journeys of Girl Pioneers, their families, and our staff, showcasing how education can break the cycles of poverty and inequity.
This news report highlights the stories of Girl Pioneers, their families, mentors, educators, and directors, and how we at MAIA are breaking barriers through empowerment and education.
This documentary follows Rosy’s, a MAIA Girl Pioneer, journey proving that attending the Impact School, where doors full of possibilities open. Learn more about her story here.
After winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019, this year we were selected to be featured in a special documentary alongside influencer Josie Lifts Things.
The story highlights how Indigenous women at MAIA are transforming realities and redefining our futures through quality education, women’s empowerment, innovation and long-term investment—demonstrating that sustainable change begins when women lead.
Maritza Ortiz, Director of Development, and Linda Pablo, MAIA graduate and English Teacher, joined the Georgetown Public Policy Review Podcast to share a conversation about our approach to education. Together, they highlighted our journey as an organization led by Indigenous women for Indigenous girls and how our unique model is transforming not only the reality of Indigenous women, but also their families and communities. Their voices reinforced a powerful truth: education is most transformative when it is designed with—and led by—the communities it serves. Listen to the full podcast here.
Vilma Saloj, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, was featured in a blog written by our partner F5. Highlighting how we, at MAIA, are providing transformative STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—for Indigenous girls in Guatemala.
In this inspiring interview with Javier Gutierrez, CEO of Caribbean Goods, a corporate partner and Vilma Saloj, our Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, introduces how we, at MAIA, empower Indigenous women through education and leadership development. Vilma shares her powerful story and the transformative work of Girl Pioneers in rural communities.
Amy Hebb, founder of Second Serve Resale mentioned us on WBZ News Radio in Boston during New England Weekend, in a segment highlighting innovative ways communities are giving back. Our work was shared as part of a conversation about collective impact and how everyday actions can support long-term change.
A story by Guatemala.com about Alexandra, a MAIA Girl Pioneer who earned third place at Guatemala’s National Science Olympiad 2025, highlights the impact of sustained investment in girls’ education and leadership.
This work reflects our belief that systemic change is built collaboratively, alongside educators, mentors and strategic partners. Through these alliances, we strengthen systems by sharing knowledge, fostering trust, and committing to long-term partnerships.
We worked with nine organizations and local education authorities to reimagine teacher training in Sololá, through an initiative we co-founded. Together, we trained 100 teachers from 25 communities in literacy, mathematics, and classroom management—supported by 25 facilitators across partner organizations.
As part of our partnership with Girls Not Brides, the voices of Girl Pioneers were featured in the “Dear Future Me” campaign. Through their letters, they shared their experiences, resilience, and the futures they are committed to shaping.
In collaboration with ADEKAM and Guatemala’s Ministry of Health, we continue to expand the non-academic learning spaces that support Girl Pioneers beyond the classroom. These workshops focused on recognizing violence, building healthy relationships, menstrual hygiene, and sexual and reproductive rights.
During the annual assembly of Plataforma Iximulew–Guatemala and Red Ajkat Iximulew from TDH, Guadalupe Natareno, Communications and Fundraising Manager, along with Antonia and Wendy, MAIA graduates, were elected as delegates. Their leadership reflects our commitment to collective action and Indigenous women leading change across education, gender justice, and youth advocacy spaces.
On August 10th, we celebrated a milestone: the first-ever alumni summit. Where more than 50 graduates from across generations came together to strengthen leadership, identity, and belonging beyond MAIA’s classrooms. It was a space of reflection, dialogue, inspiration, and joy, and its impact continues to grow through the lifelong connections formed there.
This year, Girl Pioneers and staff members demonstrated what becomes possible when curiosity meets opportunity.
Alexandra, an eighth-grader, earned third place in Guatemala’s National Science Olympiad, presenting an innovative experiment that combined wind energy, origami, mechanics, and recycled materials. Her achievement reflects not only her brilliance but the guidance of dedicated educators like Yulissa Julajuj, MAIA’s science teacher.
At the Science, Maths, Techonoly fair (Feria CIMAT), two 9th-grade Girl Pioneers earned first place in the Mathematics category, reaffirming the leadership and excellence that flourish when Indigenous girls believe in their potential.
Three Girl Pioneers graduates, Linda, Saudi and Jessica, were selected this year by the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation, a Guatemalan foundation that awards university scholarships to students with outstanding academic performance. This recognition highlights their dedication, excellence, and the pathways they are building toward higher education and leadership. The three of them will continue studying at university.
Ixchely Saloj, English Teacher, was selected to participate in the 30th AFS Youth Assembly, one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of young leaders. At the Action and Impact Hub, she shared her lived experience with peers from around the globe, connecting local change to global movements. Her participation reflected what we see every day at MAIA: Indigenous women are not only shaping their own futures—they are shaping conversations worldwide!
Read the complete story on our blog
Read the news published in Guatemala.com
This year, we proudly celebrated our 5th graduating class. 42 new graduates are achieving their dreams of continuing their education. Each graduate carries the potential to transform families, communities, and systems—and to help shape a more equitable future.
Read more about our 5th graduating class in a previous blog post here.
None of what we shared here happens in isolation. This collective force for change is made possible by Girl Pioneers who lead with courage, families who walk alongside them, staff members who show up with commitment and care. Allies who believe in long-term transformation, and bold supporters who choose to invest in equity and opportunity. Each one is part of this story—and together, we make lasting change possible.
Every milestone shared here was made possible through collective belief and shared commitment. When you give to MAIA, you are being part of a collective transformation, helping turn possibility into lasting impact. Together, we are a force for change.
Be part of this collective force for change by donating now.
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
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
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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.