María Delfina Sotz Catú Age: 21 years old Education: Business Secretary and Nursing Assistant María Delfina Sotz Catú works as a nurse in one of the state’s largest hospitals, which serves people from all over the region, many with illnesses that require a specialist’s attention. As a nurse, María Delfina has more career opportunities than she had when she was looking for work as a business secretary and she enjoys her career. María Delfina’s patients often arrive at the hosp

Guatemala has 23 officially recognized regional languages. While Spanish is the country’s official language, Spanish is a second language for many indigenous Guatemalans. Often the only time many of the indigenous young women speak or write Spanish is at school. In July 2010, the Kateri Tekakwitha Fund hired Emilsa Peren, a graduate of the Scholarship Program, to manage a Writing Program, in order to help these young women learn Spanish writing skills that are critical to the

According to Minority Rights Group International, in urban areas, 55% of urban indigenous women are literate. In rural areas, literacy rates are even lower with only 35% of indigenous women literate. Given the low income levels in rural indigenous communities, a lack of financial resources means that indigenous children are less likely to be enrolled in school and more likely to be over-age if they do enroll. Once in school, indigenous children are also more likely to repeat

Juana Alicia Catú Sajcabún Education: Primary Eduation Teacher Alicia Catú studied English, which she viewed as important for her education and to her career. Today, she works as a receptionist in a private hospital inGuatemala City. She enjoys interacting with many people, especially her female co-workers, from whom she has learned so much. Alicia Catú has ten siblings. Her family is very happy that with her job, she is able to help financially support her younger siblings’