¿Por qué Guatemala?
Guatemala enfrenta importantes desafíos, ya que la pobreza afecta a más de la mitad de su población. En 2023, se estimó que el 55% de la población vivía en situación de pobreza. La situación es aún más grave entre las comunidades indígenas, donde aproximadamente el 75% vive en pobreza. Las zonas rurales se ven particularmente afectadas, concentrando al 91% de quienes viven en pobreza extrema.
Estas estadísticas resaltan la urgente necesidad de soluciones sostenibles. En Empowered Guatemala, nos comprometemos a abordar estas disparidades empoderando a las comunidades mediante educación, becas y mentoría. Nuestro objetivo es crear oportunidades que fomenten la autosuficiencia y fortalezcan el tejido social de las regiones donde operamos.
Miembros de la junta directiva
100% impulsado por voluntarios
Quienes somos
Empowered Guatemala es una organización 100% voluntaria, liderada por una junta directiva comprometida. Nuestro equipo incluye miembros que viajan regularmente a nuestras comunidades socias en Guatemala varias veces al año. Colaboramos estrechamente con líderes locales que participan activamente en sus propias iniciativas de recaudación de fondos para complementar nuestras iniciativas. Al trabajar en conjunto con los consejos comunitarios, garantizamos que nuestros programas sean liderados localmente y tengan resonancia cultural.
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Our Staff
Zila Ordóñez
Librarian and Director
Zila Ordoñez is a lifelong resident of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, and a deeply respected member of her community. A trained teacher and passionate advocate for children, Zila brings both professional experience and cultural understanding to her role as librarian for Empowered Guatemala.As the library’s local representative, Zila plans and leads educational and enrichment activities for children, teens, and adults of all ages. Her strong connection to local traditions, beliefs, and families makes her uniquely qualified to support Empowered Guatemala’s mission.
Juan Carlos Xirum
Project Director
Juan Carlos was born and raised in Chichicastenango, the second youngest of eight children. He has always been driven to succeed and was a distinguished student in diversificado. He is currently attending university on a full scholarship to study systems engineering and works part-time in the library coordinating projects and assisting the director.
Haydee Chuc Xon
English Teacher
Haydee lives in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. She graduated as a bilingual secretary (English and Spanish). This is when she started her journey to being bilingual in English. She has been studying English for nine years and continues to study to keep her skills sharp. For the past five years she has been offering her services as a bilingual translator for medical and mission groups all over the country of Guatemala. She brings her hard working spirit and kind soul to her teaching of beginner English students.
Eduardo Aquino Lara
English Teacher
Eduardo was born and raised in Antigua, Guatemala. He was educated from K-12 grades at a bilingual school. After university he moved from Antigua to Chichicastenango with his wife. He works for a US company remotely and has years of experience teaching English. He teaches our intermediate learners.