Women’s Rights in Guatemala: What Milsa Learned Today

Milsa in front of the list of Women’s Rights at her mentorship meeting

Human Rights.  It’s a term many of us use casually in conversation when we talk about social justice and politics.  We maybe even assume it to be common knowledge in many of the circles we are in.  What does it mean, though, to a young Mayan girl growing up in a small town of Guatemala who has never heard the term before?

Today, in her mentorship meeting, Milsa  learned about human rights and specifically her rights as a female.  We asked Milsa what stood out to her from the presentation and following discussion:

“Before today I had never heard of the terms “human rights” or “women’s rights”.  What I learned today was that I have the right to protect myself and say “no” to a boy if I don’t want to be with him.  I want to focus on my education right now; I don’t want to be pressured into a relationship.  I have the right to wait and to decide when I am ready to be with someone.  What I want is to be with someone who respects me,  who loves me; someone educated and hard-working.  I have a friend who had to drop out of school and get married.  When I see her now she talks about how sad she is that she didn’t get to continue her studies, that she didn’t get to make choices for herself and her future.  I don’t want that to be my story.”

To learn that you have rights, to learn that you can make choices for yourself and your future; it’s a powerful tool that you have for life!

Dolores Learns about Health and Nutrition at Starfish

Dolores Lacan at a workshop on nutrition with her mentorship group

This past month, Dolores participated in a workshop on nutrition that was presented to her mentorship group in Santiago.  The workshop was developed after a recent study showed that 20.5% of the girls from her group were found to be outside of the healthy weight limit for their age; the majority from that 20.5% actually being overweight but not well-nourished. 

Through the workshop Dolores’ group learned about healthy eating habits and the importance of having a balanced diet.  The girls were shown how much protein and fiber they need in a day for strong body and brain development, and in what local, affordable foods those nutrients can be found. The correlation between food choices and one’s ability to learn and do well in school was also an emphasis of the workshop.  Dolores and her classmates were left with a challenge and word of encouragement for their next school quarter; eat well, study, and get ready for academic success! 

Jeronima shares about the obstacles to education that Mayan girls face

Here is a quote from a study done on education and poverty in Guatemala:

“Indigenous females are by far the most disadvantaged group.  Only 39% of 15 to 64-year-old indigenous women are literate (compared with 68% of indigenous males, 77% of non-indigenous females, and 87% of non-indigenous males), and just 2/3 of 10 to 19-year-old indigenous females are literate (compared with 80% of indigenous males and 90% of non-indigenous females and males), (Shapiro, 2005).

These are daunting statistics which make the work of Starfish all the more urgent and necessary.  We asked Jeronima, as a young, educated, Mayan woman, to tell us what she thought were the biggest obstacles to education for Mayan girls.  In other words, why do these statistics exist?  This is what she shared with us:

“Well, in most Mayan families there is the lack of economic resources to be able to send all their children to school.  It’s not just the money that families have to pay for their classes and materials, but it’s also the loss of income that the families would experience if their daughters studied instead of worked.  Apart from the economic strain on families, a lot of parents don’t believe it is worth the investment to send their daughters to school.  If it’s for their sons, yes, because they believe that the money he will earn in the future will most likely come back to the family, but if their daughter marries, the money she earns will most likely go to her husband’s family. Many Mayan people also lack experience in participating in groups or in educational settings, especially women, so it can be a bit intimidating for the girls to feel confident at school or really get involved.”

Jeronima continues to be a source of hope and an example in her community of how educating women can benefit families and communities.

Thank you, Jeronima!

A Day In The Life Of Milsa Sajvin Ajpuz

Milsa Sajvin Ajpuz

Meet Milsa, one of our student leaders.  She is 15-years-old and lives at home with her mom, dad, and her four siblings in a small lakeside village called, Santa Catarina.  We thought that a good way to introduce you to her would be by walking you through an average day in her life.  So, we asked Milsa what her typical day looks like, and this is what she shared:

“At 6am I wake up, get myself dressed, and start a fire to heat water for my family.  After I get the fire going I help my mom prepare breakfast for everyone.  When the food is ready I get my older brother, who is disabled, dressed and ready for the day.  When everyone has finished eating I go down to the lake to sell woven goods that my mom makes.  While I wait for customers I do my homework so that I have everything ready for my afternoon classes.  At around 12pm head back up to the house to help my mom prepare lunch and get myself ready for school.  From 1:25-6:30pm I attend classes.  It’s my favorite part of the day.  When school gets out I walk home and start up another fire to make coffee for everyone.  Afterwards, I help my brother get ready for bed, and my day is over.”

So there it is, a day in the life of Milsa.  If we interviewed the other members of her mentorship group, many would have similar stories.  We are continually amazed here at Starfish by these young women’s hard work and dedication to their education in the midst of their many other day-to-day responsibilities.

Look here for weekly updates on the lives of Milsa, Dolores, and Jeronima; three of our amazing young Starfish women!

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Meet Dolores Lacan Ratzan, a Girl Pioneer from Santiago

Dolores Lacan Ratzan

This is Dolores Lacan from Starfish’s Bridge Program in Santiago Atitlán.  Dolores has been a part of the Starfish family for 4 years now and is in the mentorship group, “Estrellas Marinas” (Marine Stars).  She is 16 years old, in the 10th grade, and full a many hopes and dreams for her future.  Her goal is to graduate from high school and go on to university to study medicine and become a nurse.  Dolores’ mentor, Ingri, describes her as a young woman, full of life, who is very dedicated to reaching her goals and helping those around her do the same.  She comes from very humble beginnings and has used every opportunity that she has been given to move herself and her family forward.  We look forward to following her story this year!

Dolores leading her group, “Estrellas Marinas” in a learning activity

The Lives of 3 Young Starfish Women: Follow Their Stories Here!

Jeronima Sulugui Chumil, one of the young women we will follow. She’s a Starfish Graduate and current Mentor.

You have read and seen pictures here in our blog about the many amazing activities and events Starfish has going on.  We want to use this space now, to turn your attention to the stories of three young Starfish women.  Check in with us here to follow their personal journeys to becoming empowered, educated, and professional young women of Guatemala.

For all the latest and greatest photos, insights, and Starfish happenings,

“Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/starfishonebyone

Starfish Commited To Graduates & Their Families

Starfish graduates got together for the first time this month to begin development of the new Starfish Alumni Network!  We are very excited about accompanying these young professionals and helping them to develop a network of support as they move into the next phase of becoming community leaders.

All 12 graduates are working now and 7 of them are also studying at the university level.  The Alumni group will be meeting quarterly to receive ongoing professional training, plan community projects, and to connect to local institutions.

Starfish had the opportunity to talk with Joel, one of our graduates, at the most recent Alumni group meeting.  Starfish helped Joel find a full-ride university scholarship in Xela where he began classes this past January.  Joel shared that getting to study at the university level full-time has been a real honor and also a big transition for both him and his family.   He now lives on his own, two hours away from his hometown, learning what it means to be an independent young adult.  Joel’s dad shared that at first it was hard to let his son go.  He misses having Joel around and the support that he would otherwise be able to give the family if he wasn’t studying.  He believes, however, in Joel’s education and knows that in the long run it is worth the sacrifice.  Joel is the first in his family to graduate from high school, so now to be a university student as well, is beyond what the family ever dreamed possible!