The MAIA and Girl Pioneers’ story
MAIA leverages the unique ability of girls to become changemakers in their communities. As a bold, responsive organization, MAIA abandons the notion of incremental change. We know that Guatemala (and the rest of the world) urgently needs creative solutions and perspectives to address our most pressing problems like climate change. MAIA is fostering environmental stewardship in Girl Pioneers through transformational education, hands-on learning, and inspiring local action.
Guatemala has the worst gender equity gap in the Western Hemisphere. It is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters and is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change. With 30% of the labor force dependent on agriculture (and 60% of the population in poverty), even moderate variations in climate can be extremely disruptive. In 2019, approximately 2% (250,000 people) of Guatemala’s population emigrated to escape poverty and drought.
Girls’ education, when coupled with reproductive education, is the most effective way of reducing climate change. Women Deliver’s 2017 report on family planning and climate change highlights reproductive education as a win-win solution when it comes to climate change. It saves women’s lives by decreasing births in high-risk groups and reducing carbon dioxide emissions per capita. Moreover, when families make calculated decisions on family size, there is less strain on natural resources, energy, and food systems.
Roselia, MAIA’s Director of Mentorship and Family Engagement, states, “It is important for Girl Pioneers to learn about family planning so that they can make decisions about their own bodies, empower themselves to decide when to have a family, and have the option to think about the future they can give their children in relation to education and nutrition.” Roselia stresses that climate change in rural communities can impact the upbringing of future generations and that it is important for future parents to learn about climate change to raise their children to become responsible, conscious citizens. We know that when Girl Pioneers form their own family on their own terms, they will flourish.
Girl Pioneers are learning how to become leaders by using their voices. They are bold and tenacious young women who are active advocates for a sustainable future for their communities. Many participate and engage in local politics by proposing changes to their community leaders and town councils. At the MAIA Impact School, Girl Pioneers learn about climate change across multiple disciplines. In mentorship classes, they learn about the consequences of our actions on the planet and that our behavior will impact future generations.
Moving beyond the theoretical, Girl Pioneers are learning by doing: MAIA’s organic school garden leverages the “Girl Effect” (the idea that girls acquire and disseminate best practices with their families and communities). By learning about permaculture and organic agriculture, not only are Girl Pioneers gaining practical skills for sustainable agriculture, but they are also passing this knowledge to family and community members, thereby ensuring a larger-scale approach to sustainable agriculture.
MAIA is fostering a new generation of leaders of environmental stewardship. Partnered with their leadership skills, Girl Pioneers are attaining knowledge and understanding of climate change and action. They are learning how to become a generation of changemakers in climate action, creating an inclusive and sustainable future.
At MAIA we celebrate the journeys of Lidia Oxí and Andrea Coché—two remarkable Indigenous women whose leadership is driving impact across Guatemala and beyond. As Lidia transitions to a
Today, October 11th, we join the global celebration of the International Day of the Girl, honoring the potential and vision of girls everywhere.
As we celebrate this day, we are proud
At MAIA, education goes beyond the confines of traditional academics. The Socioemotional Mentorship and Family Engagement Program is central to MAIA’s educational model. It is a unique initiative designed to
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:
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.
