Escuelita Rixiin Ya' (little school on the lake)

The Escuelita Rixiin Ya' project, an initiative of the non-profit Learn Achieve Become (L.A.B.), provides free, holistic education to children in two communities surrounding Santiago on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Addressing a critical need for accessible education in the region, the project offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing core academic subjects like reading, writing, mathematics, science, and languages, alongside vital holistic skills development in permaculture, sports, arts, manual skills, and music. A unique and central element of the program is its dedication to the preservation and revitalization of the local Tz'utujil language, woven throughout all aspects of the curriculum.

Since its inception in early 2024, Escuelita Rixiin Ya' has demonstrated significant impact. Initial community surveys revealed a concerningly low literacy rate in Tz'utujil, with only 25% of students able to read and write basic text. Through focused language instruction and integration into the broader curriculum, the project has achieved remarkable progress. Current assessments indicate a dramatic increase in Tz'utujil literacy, with over 90% of participating students now proficient in reading and writing the language. 

To get a better insight into the work we're delivering in Guatemala, we recommend you watch out short documentary released on the Escuelita Rixiin Ya' project

Our plans for the future:

As the Escuelita Rixiin Ya' project continues to improve the literacy skills of local children in their academic and cultural skills, we aim to be able to reach as many communities as possible. To support us on this mission, we're currently seeking funding for a mode of transport, which we will be able to convert into a mobile Escuelita, visiting as many communities as possible.

To honour this commitment, we are now aiming for the Escuelita Rixiin Ya' project to be active in every Tz'utujil speaking community in Guatemala by the end of 2027.