-Marielos Hernández

My name is María de los Angeles Hernández Tzaquitzal. I am an indigenous Mayan Guatemalan of the Kiché ethnicity, and I am from the department of Totonicapán in the Western highlands of Guatemala. I am currently studying Counseling Psychology and Mental Health in a Master's Program at the Universidad del Valle in Guatemala, with scholarship support from the Channel Foundation. In my community I stand somewhat apart from the norm because I am not married and because I have pursued a university education. My original intentions were to join the Catholic Church with social work as my vocation, but my family’s poverty made my entry into a religious order impossible. My education has been entirely funded by scholarships, and now I feel a personal obligation to do something for people who don’t have the chance to go to school simply because they lack the money to pay for it. Many people may find it difficult to imagine what it is to be an uneducated person in a society in which overt racism prevails. My goal in coordinating this scholarship program is to equip indigenous students with the skills to confront this racism constructively and to be free to achieve their personal and professional goals.

In addition to my studies, I work currently as a teacher of Spanish as a second language and I also help people with health problems through my practice of natural and alternative medicinal techniques. Despite my achievements, I still encounter discrimination because of the fact that I wear the traditional indigenous dress of my region. I see my educational work now as a strategy to combat this discrimination. I have worked in the past for two organizations that promote culture and education, and I have taken on the coordination of Project Victoria now because I see the need to help young people who, without support, will not be able to continue their studies. With the help of Roland Elf and Christopher Curran, and with the help of all of you who have an interest in becoming sponsors for individual students, we can provide these students with the opportunity to continue their education. As an indigenous Guatemalan woman and a defender of human rights, I want to contribute to improved access to education for young people who come from communities in the most dire need. My motivation is based on a great desire to give back something of what I received from the many generous people who contributed to my professional formation. I wish that I could be there to talk with each one of you one-on-one and share my plans for the project and my vision of a more dignified future for young people in Guatemala. I would also like to be there to tell you personally how much we need your help so that these students will have a future to look forward to.

I will make a personal commitment to each one of you to make the best use of the money that you are able to send. Or, if you aren’t able to contribute funds to the project, please stay in touch and maybe at some point some of you may be able to visit Guatemala. If so, you will find a warm welcome here and friends who will receive you with pleasure. Please contact me with any question at asociacionvictoria@yahoo.com or hernandeztzaquitzal@yahoo.com.

- María de los Angeles Hernández Tzaquitzal

 Tax-deductible contributions to Project Victoria may be made to:

Project Victoria Fund
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
200 1st St. SW
Cedar Rapids IA 52404
319-366-2862