When One Girl Pioneer Thrives, a Family Transforms
Through mentorship, trust, and shared growth, families discover new possibilities for their daughters and themselves.
June 16, 2026
What began as a commitment to quality education has grown into an accelerator of women’s leadership.
More than a decade ago, MAIA’s bold dream to create opportunities for Indigenous women and girls to lead lives full of choice and purpose began. What started as a commitment to expanding access to high-quality education has grown into something much bigger.
Over the years, we’ve continued asking ourselves an important question: What does it truly take for Indigenous women to thrive?
Over the years, we’ve expanded our programs to better support Girl Pioneers at every stage of their journey—from nurturing leadership and self-confidence to accompanying graduates as they pursue higher education, careers, and opportunities to lead in their communities.
When MAIA first started, everything looked very different.
As Vilma Saloj, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships remembers:
“In 2008, our team consisted of just four people united by a shared vision: creating greater opportunities for Indigenous women and girls, and we were in Panajachel, Sololá, where we provided academic reinforcement and after-school support to nearly 40 students”.
As we listened to Indigenous women and their families, we realized that lasting change required more than academic support alone.
Today, more than 450 Girl Pioneers are supported through MAIA’s integrated Impact Model, which brings together all of our programs to walk alongside them throughout their journey. More than 90 staff members make this work possible every day, creating opportunities for education, mentorship, and leadership while collaborating with partners across Guatemala and around the world to share what we’ve learned through our growth.
Now at MAIA, we can proudly say we are more than a school. We are an accelerator of women’s leadership.
As our work continues to grow, so do the spaces that make it possible. With more Girl Pioneers, more staff members, and more communities engaged in our work, expanding and reimagining our campus is the next step.
New classrooms, dedicated mentorship spaces, collaboration areas, and training environments will help us continue delivering high-quality programs while creating the conditions for even greater impact.
As Jenny Dale, U.S.Executive Country Director, shares: “The story isn’t that MAIA is building a building; it is an investment in MAIA’s Strategic Plan and future growth. We are excited to see this new construction project because it means we will have the space we need to be able to implement our programs and meet our goals.”
Looking back, it’s clear that growth has never been about becoming bigger. It’s about responding to what we’ve learned through the years. Together with the allies, partners and supporters who believe in this work, we’re continuing to invest in what matters most—so that more Indigenous women and girls can access the opportunities, support, and leadership they deserve.
And that’s the kind of growth that matters most.
Through mentorship, trust, and shared growth, families discover new possibilities for their daughters and themselves.
International Women’s Day. Ensuring Access to Our Rights and Transforming Our Future.
STEM: an engine for transformation How mathematics, logic, technology and science open new possibilities for Girl Pioneers At MAIA, we believe learning goes beyond acquiring knowledge—it’s about developing the ability
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.