Empowering Maya Achi women through Scholarships
In 2025, The Garden’s Edge, with support from The Emily Sandall Foundation and individual donors, supported nine scholarship recipients at Qachuu Aloom Association (QA). The majority of whom were young women enrolled in middle and high school. In Guatemala, and particularly in rural communities, young women face significant barriers to accessing continued education. Although the first six years of primary education are free, many students are unable to continue to secondary school due to associated costs such as transportation, supplies, and enrollment fees.
Holistic Approach through training Workshops
QA’s scholarship program goes beyond financial assistance. In addition to supporting students in completing their academic education, QA creates meaningful spaces for students to participate in personal and professional development. Students participate in workshops focused on communication skills, baking, healthy recipe preparation, and the study of medicinal plants. Through this holistic approach, QA not only helps students stay in school but also equips them with practical skills and knowledge that strengthens their confidence, leadership, and long-term opportunities.
Many students have started their own gardens, where they grow crops such as amaranth, colish, and a variety of other nutrient-rich greens. These gardens provide food as well as income. Students are also developing entrepreneurial skills by transforming their harvests into value-added products! For example, some of the students are learning to to prepare Amaranth in bread, pizzas, and other goods that can be sold within their communities.
We are excited that the scholarship program goes beyond technical training. by creating pathways for economic resilience and long-term well-being.
Youth Workshops
Delmi, a student from San Gabriel, planted a garden at her home following her participation in the youth agroecology workshop series. Her garden includes cilantro, onion, amaranth, and medicinal plants, some of which are used for personal consumption while others are sold at the local market.
The communication workshops equip students with the skills to become effective and confident communicators within their own communities. Through hands-on training in photography and video production, students learn not only the technical aspects of capturing images and creating audiovisual content, but also how to tell stories rooted in their lived experiences.These workshops create a space for students to reflect on their realities and recognize the value of their own perspectives. Many important stories often go untold in rural communities, and this initiative seeks to change that by empowering youth with the tools and confidence to document and share those narratives.
I’ve had a scholarship for five years from Qachuu Aloom. My parents are both farmers, and they have been supporting me to go to school too. My mother was not able to go to school because my grandmother became a widow during the civil war, raising all her children on her own. I feel fortunate that today I can go to school.
I thank the people who help us with these scholarships, without them our lives would be much harder. The school costs are expensive, but with the scholarship we feel supported. I was not able to go to school, but I want to see my daughter finish school. Today girls have that opportunity and they have to take advantage of it.
Thank you for choosing to support us! We are very grateful to see more young women graduate from school. Our program has been positively impacted by your ongoing support!
We would love your support to continue this essential program next year. Donate here!