The MAIA Impact School (MAIA) is Central America’s first secondary school specifically designed to support rural Indigenous young women. The organization annually serves approximately 300 girls— referred to as “Girl Pioneers”— and 2,000 family members from rural communities Sololá, Guatemala. Its holistic approach combines rigorous academics, socioemotional health, family engagement, and leadership development. Girl Pioneers participate in a seven-year program to unlock their full potential, and MAIA has maintained a 94% retention rate, surpassing the national average in Guatemala.
Indigenous girls in Guatemala face intersecting challenges, affected by factors such as gender, ethnicity, poverty, and rural geography. Less than 20 percent of Maya women complete high school, and 57 percent are married or have children by the age of 20. Sololá, where MAIA operates, has the second highest poverty rate in the country. Many women and girls are unable to find employment opportunities and rely on the informal employment sector, which provides limited income and access to opportunities. MAIA’s programs are designed to address these challenges by confronting the socioemotional and structural problems which keep Indigenous Maya girls from pursuing their education.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support MAIA’s Socioemotional Mentorship and Family Engagement Program. The program supports girls’ academic success and personal growth through mentorship, health services, and family involvement. The organization’s approach builds resiliency and leadership skills among girls, equipping them with the tools to thrive academically and personally. Mentors—trained social workers from indigenous communities—provide weekly one-on-one and group sessions, guiding Girl Pioneers in developing essential life skills such as time management, study habits, and trauma resilience. MAIA will also hold home visits to connect with girls’ families, ensuring the support systems extend beyond the classroom.
MAIA will support 300 adolescent girls through this project. Through a comprehensive approach, MAIA’s program empowers girls with the skills and confidence to stay in school, delay early marriage and motherhood, and pursue higher education. The organization aims to unlock the power of girls and show them that they too can be leaders within their communities, fostering long-term growth and development. Ultimately, the organization seeks to disrupt the cycle of poverty which affects Maya girls and families. As girls learn the skills they need to succeed, they will contribute to healthier, more stable families, leading to lasting change in rural Guatemala.
To learn more about MAIA, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Latin America & the Caribbean, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Leadership & Life Skills Development