Our Project

Our project supports sustainable qualitative education to poor Maya children in the small village of San Juan Gomalapa in Guatemala. Through decent basic education we want to give these children the possibility to follow higher studies and increase their chances in finding a job at later stage. Courses are given by Maya teachers with a strong focus on gender equality. The school also gives medical and social support to the poorest families of the children.

History

The school is led by Camila Mendoza, who started this initiative with her husband in 1996. Very soon, more classes and, thus, more funding were needed. Unfortunately, the government would not support this private initiative and the poor local community could not pay for private education. When a Belgian group of friends visited the school in 2003, they immediately decided to support the school financially. Finally, in 2007, the association AJPOPOLI VZW was created with the purpose of giving support to this educational project. She is much appreciated by the local community who considers her as a very wise and charismatic person.

Guatemala

Guatemala is “the country of eternal spring”, but remains one of the most poor and violent countries in Latin America. Especially Indian communities, such as the Mayas, live in difficult and poor conditions. Guatemala is a beautiful country, but still has to overcome a lot of political, economic and social issues. The country and its population are slowly recovering from a thirty year civil war, which ended in 1996.

Comalapa

San Juan Comalapa is a small mountain village located 80 km Northwest of the capital. The majority of the population are Maya Indians living in poor conditions. Education is only limited and many people are analphabetic. Most men cultivate vegetables for their own use on small pieces of land. Women often stay at home and try to support their families by creating and selling small linen craftwork on the local markets. As their income is very low, parents cannot afford education for their children. The local language is Kaqchikel, while Spanish is only being taught at school.

The School

The school “Centro Educativo Ajpopoli’ Ak’wala” (i.e. ‘bringing wisdom to the youth’) provides education to some 350 pupils from the third year kindergarten until the last year of secondary school, 55% of the students are girls. Through foster parent programs and other funding campaigns, Ajpopoli vzw entirely finances the staff of teachers and administration of the school. When visiting the school, you will certainly notice the key role of Camila Mendoza Pérez, born in 1961, the school’s headmaster. She founded the school together with her late husband, Pantaleon Simón (deceased in 2005). Camila was fortunate to get proper school education and becamea teacher. In 2014, she obtained a master degree in Psychology and Social Counseling through weekend schooling. Her commitment to the school, the children’s families and the community is huge. She is a go-to person for the parents, especially single mothers, and families often ask for advice and support on social, psychological, medical and financial matters. The local community knows her as a wise, charismatic and empathetic woman.

Our Team

In this project, every board member assists as a volunteer. Twice a year a board member visits Comalapa completely at his or her own expense to meet the children and their families, to audit the accounts and to evaluate the proper management of the school. Throughout the year, the school’s management and our team have frequent contact.

KOEN VANCLOOSTER

I became foster parent in 2009, because I am convinced that good education is the best solution to remedy poverty in the long run. I have committed myself to Ajpopoli VZW, because the association members all truly operate as volunteers, i.e. in organising fund raising activities and finding new enthusiastic foster parents.

Support Us

For €25 per month or €300 per year you can become godmother or godfather to a Mayan child.
Your sponsorship or gift is 45% tax deductible in Belgium (minimum amount of €40 per year).

IBAN: BE82 0000 9019 7468
BIC: BPOT BE B1
From S.O.S. (Scheut Ontwikkelingssamenwerking)
With message: 08 502 001 – Ajpopoli

“Nearly every two months, we receive a communication by Ajpopoli: the newsletter, an invitation to the quiz or to the Guatemalan eating festivity, pictures, letters from our foster child, … pictures of our own foster children, who are so happy with our letters brought by Lou …that’s why we are doing this! Every time again, proof that our little contribution goes straight to where it has to be”

Jan, Kathleen & Seb

“Supporting Ajpopoli as foster parents is part of our “family” social responsibility. Our children have two other sisters in Guatemala who they learn to know through correspondence. Our Ajpopoli aid for our foster children gives them a chance for a better education and future. For every one of us, Ajpopoli helps to make a difference in the world we are living in.”

Kris, Inge, Hanne & Dries