Central American Mayan Foundation

Santa Maria Cunen district is 230 km northwest of the capital city, Santa Cruz. Over 35,000 people live in some 40 communities within its 177 km territory. The population settled in this area after their return from Mexico at the time of the genocide of Mayans in Guatemala.

The genocide that was committed against indigenous Maya peoples is part of the dark history of Guatemala. Over 150,000 people dead and another 50,000 disappeared over the 36-year-long conflict from 1960 to 1996. The ethnic cleansing that took place was equal to, or arguably worse than, that of Bosnia.

Opportunities to pursue an education are an on-going challenge for the average person. The government, in the Cunen municipality, does not fund junior or senior high schools. Government funding is only provided for primary and elementary education. College and university opportunities do not exist and going to a college or university outside of the district is financially impossible. To continue high school in the capital, Santa Cruz del Quiche, would require the equivalent of $160.00 per month, a luxury few families can afford with an average monthly income of $72.00. The lack of basic education destines the people to remain marginalized, denying them equitable access to the basic political, economic and social life of the country.
With a large growing youth population, local people took matters in their own hands and created the “Bilingual Mixed Intercultural Colegio “ in 1999 to initiate training of bilingual teachers for primary school education. These would be teachers who would go into the local community and teach in local school. Today over 200 teachers have graduated. The students graduate with a Master of Primary Bilingual Education Inter Cultural Mayan Spanish. The degrees are recognized by the National Ministry of Education and therefore are paid to teach.