Welcome to Quetzaltenango Department, Guatemala!
With Karie’s support, PoP is partnering with the Aldea Chosavic community in the Quetzaltenango Department to construct a new one-classroom structure and create a quality learning environment for hundreds of students and teachers.
You're Making a Difference Here
Why guatemala?
In Guatemala, where 59% of the population lives below the national poverty line, socioeconomic status is one of the biggest barriers to accessing quality education (World Bank 2014).
The average length of schooling for a Guatemalan child is only four years and 19% of the population is illiterate (US Aid 2014; World Bank 2018).
Pencils of Promise works with 255 communities in Guatemala to ensure students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 47,000 students in Guatemala.
quetzaltenango department
Located in the western highlands of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango is home to around 800,000 residents and is also commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú, which comes from “Xe laju’ noj”, meaning “under ten mountains”.
There are three primary ethnic groups in the department: Ladino (who speak Spanish), K’iche’ Maya (who speak K’iche’), and Mam Maya (who speak Mam). Quetzaltenango is also the largest vegetable producer for all of Guatemala and a primary producer of coffee and grain harvests. Due to its position in Guatemala’s highlands, Quetzaltenango is very mountainous and has a number of active volcanoes.
Karie's Impact in Quetzaltenango Department
The Chosavic school currently has twelve formal classrooms and one provisional classroom. Most of the classrooms have electrical issues, and the provisional classroom lacks proper illumination and flooring. 6 of the 13 existing sanitary facilities are out of service due to damages in fixtures and piping. These conditions hinder learning, posing a hazard to student safety and engagement.
In the coming months, PoP will be partnering with the Quetzaltenango community to build a new one-classroom structure and perform repairs on the existing structures, including classrooms and bathrooms. The community is committed to providing higher-quality education to its students and will contribute 20% of the resources and labor required for construction. We expect to break ground in October 2026 and hope to complete construction in December 2026.
The new Chosavic school will provide a high-quality learning environment where every child can reach their unique potential.
Chosavic
MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Karie Shearer
EXPECTED BREAK GROUND:
10/13/2026
EXPECTED COMPLETION:
12/11/2026