Education in Guatemala - Enfants du Monde Education in Guatemala - Enfants du Monde
EDM-logo
Guatemala

Bilingual and intercultural education project in Guatemala

Classe au Guatemala

In 2023

92,243

students benefit from quality education

3,381

teachers trained in our pedagogy

218

parents of aware schoolchildren

Bilingual education : a necessity

Guatemala has a rich ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity: while Spanish is the official language of the country, there are also 22 other Mayan languages – such as Q’eqchi’ or Kaqchikel. Although these languages are recognised by the State, the Maya population still experiences severe discrimination and the education system does not take sufficient account of the language and culture of indigenous populations.

Helping Mayan children learn better

In 2001, as part of the Bilingual and Intercultural Education Program, Enfants du Monde began its work in the Alta Verapaz region to improve the quality of education and train teachers in bilingual and intercultural teaching. Since then, at the request of the Guatemalan Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the program has expanded to other regions and linguistic areas: our organization operates in the municipalities of Cobán and San Juan Chamelco, working with the Q’eqchi’ Maya communities, and in the municipality of Tecpán, supporting the Kaqchikel linguistic community.

Improving the quality of education for Maya schoolchildren

Since the 1970s, the Guatemala Ministry of Education has followed a policy of bilingual and intercultural education and seeks to promote teaching in the mother tongue of schoolchildren. Despite these efforts, many Maya schoolchildren still do not have access to quality education. In order to improve the quality of education in these schools, Enfants du Monde is involved in training the teachers.

Aby Natalí Jutzuy Santelel, teacher at the EORM Agua Escondida school in Chimaltenango

The training has helped me improve my level in kaqchikel, to be more aware of the importance of passing on our traditions and our local culture, to be more open to new methods of teaching and learning, to acknowledge the importance of bilingualism and in my school to promote learning in two or three languages at once. The schoolchildren can learn everything at the same time, and sometimes the limitation lies with the teachers or the available resources.

 

Involving the community

Until 2020, parents of schoolchildren were made aware of the importance of training and of bilingual intercultural education for their children at education council meetings.

Leonor Ajtzac Sapón, Mother of two children at the EORM school in Pueblo Viejo

In the past, the children only learned to say a few words in kaqchikel, everything was in Spanish. It’s better for the children to learn in their own language, that they place more importance on their language and culture, on the customs of their village. But this has to happen at home too, families must also use the local language, so they don’t lose it.

Addressing 2 years of school closures during the COVID-19 crisis

In Central America, Guatemala was among the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools remained closed for almost 2 years. During this time, Enfants du Monde contributed to the emergency plan Aprendo en Casa y en Clase established by the Ministry of Education to support both schoolchildren and teachers in the introduction and success of learning at home.

The Guatemala Ministry of Education in collaboration with Enfants du Monde and the Directorate General for Bilingual and Intercultural Education (DIGEBI) provided self-learning guides and radio programmes in Maya and in Spanish as well as distance training for teachers.

Watch teacher Dilma Calel’s account of the challenges of distance learning (in french) :

Helping our beneficiaries in emergency situations

In November 2020 the passage of hurricanes ETA and IOTA led to very significant floods that devastated the department of Alta Verapaz. We provided food and psychological assistance to 400 families with 1,200 children in 14 communities.

Humanitarian aid organisations are actually few and far between in this region and local governments did not have the capacity to deal with this emergency. That is why, in collaboration with CIPREVICA our NGO partner and the financial support of Swiss Solidarity, Enfants du Monde provided aid for the populations of Alta Verapaz.

 

Reyna, Pupil in Guatemala

I am learning to read and write in Spanish as well as in my mother tongue, Kaqchikel. I mostly like to read tales and learn how to write. Later on, I would like to become a doctor to heal others.

Photos of the project

Financial partners 

Local partners

Latest news

“>

Three Good News Stories to Celebrate!

1 January 2025

As we begin a new year, we want to share three positive highlights from 2024 that demonstrate the impact of your support for the most vulnerable people.

1January 2025
“>

YOU CAN PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN!

11 December 2024

Your donation can provide quality education for children in Guatemala and Burkina Faso, and save the lives of expectant mothers and babies in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Discover how your generosity makes a difference.

11December 2024
“>

The new Geneva Declaration will be unveiled on November 20 to reaffirm children’s rights!

25 November 2024

On November 20, in celebration of International Children’s Rights Day, the new Declaration of the Rights of the Child will be unveiled—a global commitment to reaffirm children’s fundamental rights. This initiative, spearheaded by organizations including Enfants du Monde, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for the development of younger generations. Join this global movement to make children’s rights a reality.

25November 2024
“>

Guatemala – Innovative training to enhance reading and writing skills  

4 October 2024

Discover our new university training program is designed to strengthen bilingual teaching in Mayan and Spanish languages, to improve literacy skills from the first year of school, and to highlight the value of indigenous cultures.

4October 2024
“>

Annual report: together, we transform education and health worldwide

19 July 2024

In 2023, thanks to your support, we were able to offer quality education to thousands of children and better healthcare access for pregnant women. Find out in our annual report, how our projects are transforming the practices of teachers and healthcare workers.

19July 2024
“>

Together, let’s support vulnerable mothers and children around the world

12 December 2023

By engaging with us to help and protect mothers and children around the world, we can have a sustainable impact on their living conditions together through quality education and access to health services.

12December 2023
“>

Mission logbooks: discover Guatemala through our bilingual education project

30 March 2023

30March 2023
“>

Three Good News Stories to Celebrate!

1 January 2025

As we begin a new year, we want to share three positive highlights from 2024 that demonstrate the impact of your support for the most vulnerable people.

1January 2025
“>

YOU CAN PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN!

11 December 2024

Your donation can provide quality education for children in Guatemala and Burkina Faso, and save the lives of expectant mothers and babies in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Discover how your generosity makes a difference.

11December 2024
“>

The new Geneva Declaration will be unveiled on November 20 to reaffirm children’s rights!

25 November 2024

On November 20, in celebration of International Children’s Rights Day, the new Declaration of the Rights of the Child will be unveiled—a global commitment to reaffirm children’s fundamental rights. This initiative, spearheaded by organizations including Enfants du Monde, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for the development of younger generations. Join this global movement to make children’s rights a reality.

25November 2024
“>

Guatemala – Innovative training to enhance reading and writing skills  

4 October 2024

Discover our new university training program is designed to strengthen bilingual teaching in Mayan and Spanish languages, to improve literacy skills from the first year of school, and to highlight the value of indigenous cultures.

4October 2024
“>

Annual report: together, we transform education and health worldwide

19 July 2024

In 2023, thanks to your support, we were able to offer quality education to thousands of children and better healthcare access for pregnant women. Find out in our annual report, how our projects are transforming the practices of teachers and healthcare workers.

19July 2024
“>

Together, let’s support vulnerable mothers and children around the world

12 December 2023

By engaging with us to help and protect mothers and children around the world, we can have a sustainable impact on their living conditions together through quality education and access to health services.

12December 2023
“>

Mission logbooks: discover Guatemala through our bilingual education project

30 March 2023

30March 2023

Contact our team

In Guatemala
Enfants du Monde
c/o CIPREVICA
12 calle 1-48, Zona 10, Edificio Pivaral, 6to nivel,
Ciudad de Guatemala,
Guatemala

Maria Balaguer, regional coordinator
Phone : + (+502) 42 06 49 54
Email :alat@edm.ch

In  Switzerland 

Enfants du Monde
Route de Ferney 150, CP 2100
1211 Genève 2, Suisse
Phone : +41 22 798 88 81
Email : info@edm.ch

Simone Arcila, Latine America Programme Manager

 

Enfants à l’école au Guatemala

My donation makes a difference

For example:

With 70 francs:

I offer a bilingual textbook in Spanish and Mayan to 53 students in Guatemala.

With 140 francs:

I fund 2 educational radio shows for students who can no longer go to school in Guatemala.

With 200 francs:

I finance continuing education in bilingual education to 10 teachers in Guatemala to improve the quality of their lessons.

I MAKE A DONATION
Newsletter