For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. |
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Dear Friends,
On Saturday, March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a global tribute to the strength, resilience, and limitless potential of women and girls. This year, we invite you to turn your hearts toward a group of young women who often go unseen: Indigenous teenage girls in Guatemala—bright, determined, and full of dreams, yet too often held back by systemic poverty and cultural barriers.
In many Indigenous communities, opportunities for girls are scarce. Education is often out of reach, early marriage is common, and economic independence feels like an impossible dream. Yet, despite these obstacles, these girls dream of something more—a life where they can learn, lead, and shape their own destinies. With the right support, their futures can truly be transformed. |
Now in her second year at Luminarias, Mayra has found more than just an education—she has found a community. |
Lighting the Path for Young Women Like Mayra
At Luminarias, we believe that every girl deserves the chance to thrive. We strive to unlock equality, power, and opportunities for the Guatemalan girls in our program so that no one is left behind. For many girls in Guatemala, education is often the first thing sacrificed in the face of poverty. But Mayra refused to let her dreams slip away.
As the fourth of six children, Mayra grew up in a home where survival often took priority over schooling. One by one, her older siblings left their studies behind, taking on jobs to support the family. She was the only one still attending school when she first learned about Luminarias. When she brought our brochure home, she didn’t know how her parents would react. But to her surprise, they saw something in her determination—and they agreed she should apply. That moment changed everything. |
When asked if anything has been too hard for her, Mayra smiles and shakes her head. “Nothing has been too hard because the other girls help me with any challenges or struggles.” |
Her world has expanded beyond anything she imagined. She eagerly lists the things she’s fallen in love with: music, Zumba, karate, accounting, English, physical education, and social studies. Each subject opens a new door, a new possibility. And now, she dares to dream of something even bigger—a career in nursing. She wants to go to university, not just for herself, but so she can support her family and help her younger siblings have the opportunities her older ones never did.
Mayra’s story is one of resilience and hope. But there are still countless girls like her who are waiting for their chance. Thanks to your support, Luminarias is empowering young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change.
These girls have the courage to dream—will you help turn their dreams into reality? Your donation today will provide scholarships, school supplies, mentorship programs, and the resources needed to lift Indigenous girls out of poverty and into a future filled with possibility. Please consider making a gift today and stand with us in honoring these incredible young women—not just on International Women’s Day, but every day. |
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