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Celebrating a Year of Shared Impact

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:

Our Strategic Plan 2025-2029

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.

Our Voices Reaching the world

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.

BBC Mundo News (Global)

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.  

 Learn more about this story here. 

ARD Media (Germany)

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

Zayed and Josie (Australia y UAE)

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.

Georgetown (USA) 

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.

 

 

F5 (USA)

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.

Read the full interview here. 

Find more details in our social media.

Caribbean Goods (Scotland):

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.

Second Serve Resale (USA):

 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.

Listen to the full radio show here. 

Guatemala.com (Guatemala):

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.

Read the full article here. 

Find more details in our social media.

Together, we are generating systemic change

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.

Voces por la Educación

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

Girls not brides

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

Adekam

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.

Find more details in our social media.

Plataforma Iximulew Guatemala

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

Our First Alumni Network Summit

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

Indigenous women’s leadership

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.

Find more details in our social media.

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.

Find more details in our social media.

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. 

Find more details in our social media.

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  

Find more details in our social media.

Celebrating the 5th Graduating Class

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.  

Find more details in our social media.

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. 

Be part of our force for change!

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.

Donate now!

Together, we are a force for change!

STEM: an engine for transformation

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]]> Empowering Girl Pioneers to reach their full potential https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/empowering-girl-pioneers-to-reach-their-full-potential/ Fri, 17 May 2024 16:43:48 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=5576
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(C) MAIA

Empowering Girl Pioneers to reach their full potential

Socioemotional Mentorship and Family Engagement at MAIA

At MAIA, education goes beyond the confines of traditional academics. In a country where 57% of Indigenous girls face early marriage or motherhood before 18, our commitment extends to nurturing the holistic development of every Girl Pioneer who embarks on her bold new trajectory at the MAIA Impact School.

Socioemotional intelligence helps all people thrive personally and academically, develop and maintain positive relationships, become lifelong learners, and contribute to a more caring, just world for all.

The Socioemotional Mentorship and Family Engagement Program is central to MAIA’s educational model. It is a unique initiative designed to empower Indigenous girls to reach their full potential.

Personal Development and Empowerment

MAIA’s dedicated mentors offer both individual and group sessions. In 2023 alone, they provided nearly a thousand hours of socioemotional education covering various topics.

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Our mentors provide a safe space for Girl Pioneers to explore their identity and grow—from goal setting to sexual and reproductive health, emotional well-being and leadership skills. Through these sessions, they learn to use their voices confidently and navigate the complexities of their lives.

Building Strong Support Systems

In addition to personal development, building a robust support system is crucial for Girl Pioneers’ success. That’s why our program includes monthly home visits and family engagement activities. By involving families in the educational process, we create a network of support that extends beyond the school walls. Together, we work towards the empowerment of not just the girls, but also their families.

MAIA mentor in a home family visit with a Girl Pioneer
(C) MAIA

Empowering Indigenous Girls: A Conversation with Silvia Naz

Silvia Naz, the Leadership and Reproductive Health Coordinator, leads weekly vocal empowerment classes and sessions on leadership and reproductive health. She works directly with Girl Pioneers on topics of gender rights and developing safety plans. 

Silvia also provides individual mentorship and education sessions for Girl Pioneers who request additional socioemotional and reproductive health support.

Q: Why focus on comprehensive health and leadership topics?
A: I think it’s very important to address topics like comprehensive health and leadership. They are often overlooked, but crucial for navigating daily life.

Q: What challenges do you face when addressing these topics with Girl Pioneers? 
A: There are several challenges at each grade level. Generally, topics may not be discussed at home, leading to misinformation due to limited access to information sources. There may also be shyness or limited participation due to cultural norms.

Q: What transformations have you noticed in the Girl Pioneers?
A: The experience with each curriculum has been different. In the Empowered Voice sessions, a young woman expressed losing her fear of speaking in front of an audience. Others have commented on feeling secure in expressing and asserting their ideas. In Comprehensive Sexuality Education, a young woman shared that the topics helped her better understand her body.

(C) MAIA

Silvia’s insights highlight the transformative impact of our programs. As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: to empower Indigenous girls to unlock and maximize their full potential.

Donate here!
Explore other ways to get involved!

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]]> Family Engagement: Strengthening the Role of Fathers in Improving Girls’ Education https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/family-engagement-strengthening-the-role-of-fathers-in-improving-girls-education/ Sat, 11 Jun 2022 23:08:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=7516
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Family Engagement: Strengthening the Role of Fathers in Improving Girls' Education

There are many perspectives when it comes to educating future generations. MAIA’s innovative educational model integrates high-quality academics with family engagement and support.

 

 

“The presence and involvement of parents, both mothers and fathers, in the educational trajectory of each Girl Pioneer is very important. It is about the emotional attention they give to their daughters and the motivation to continue working toward their dreams and goals,” shares Isabel de la Cruz, Director of Socioemotional Development. “The involvement of parents has a great impact on each girl. When the family becomes their network of support, these brave young women are encouraged to be more resilient and perseverant,” continues Isabel.

The norm is to see mothers as the ones primarily involved in children’s education and development. At MAIA, we are challenging the status quo by “affirming, since the very beginning, the importance of the physical and emotional presence of both parents (or caretakers) to their daughters with their schooling, the transition to adolescence, the support during challenging times, and the celebration of achievements,” affirms Isabel. MAIA’s mentors are the ones who keep families motivated and connected to ensure they continue working towards a new shared vision of their future.

 

 

 

 

 

Since Ana became a Girl Pioneer and joined the MAIA Impact School, we have seen her father transitioning and adapting to a new ideology of a father’s role: one where both parents have shared responsibilities. Initially, he was not participating as frequently. Today he has been closer to his family, actively participating in visits and activities concerning Ana’s well-being and academic progression, and demonstrating unconditional support for her to achieve her goals and dreams. This has strengthened family unity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this family, the change of roles has been significant. Amanda’s mother has a business to take care of from their home, so her father’s support has been fundamental in her growth and evolution. He has shown openness to many topics that enhance participation and highlight the importance of girls’ education. He encourages his daughter to achieve her goals, demonstrating his role as her ally and advisor.

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

STEM: an engine for transformation

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

Read More »
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