A Community-Engaged and Donor-Supported School Created
to Break the Cycle of Poverty Through Education.
San Andrés Itzapa is a small, predominantly Indigenous town located in the highlands of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Home to around 35,000 residents, the majority of them are Kaqchikel Maya, and many continue to speak Kaqchikel as their first language. While Spanish is used in schools and official settings, language barriers often hinder children’s learning, especially in the early grades.
Economically, San Andrés faces significant challenges. Most families earn less than $2–3 a day through subsistence farming, informal labor, or small-scale trade, placing them below the international poverty line. Annual household income typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 USD, with some families relying on remittances from relatives working abroad. Educational attainment is low, with many children not completing primary school. Fewer than 15% go on to finish high school, and only a small fraction pursues higher education. High dropout rates are linked to poverty, inadequate resources, and language difficulties.
Despite these obstacles, the community remains rich in culture, resilience, and family bonds. Organizations like Niños Creadores de Historia play a vital role by supporting students in their early school years, giving them a real chance to succeed in education and break the cycle of poverty.