Dear Friends,

I’ve just returned from Guatemala with a heart full of gratitude and inspiration. Being back with the incredible women of UPAVIM was a reminder of the profound impact our cooperative has had—not just on this community, but across generations.

As I walked through our busy workshops, I saw our artisans sewing, crafting, and creating at a pace like never before. Our operations are thriving, and there’s a tangible sense of momentum. The artisans are not only busy but also earning more than ever, thanks to the dedication of each woman who pours her heart into her work. It’s moments like these that remind me of why UPAVIM exists—to provide economic opportunity, education, and hope.

What truly stood out to me during this visit was the ripple effect we are seeing through the second generation of UPAVIM women. It’s one thing to witness the success of the mothers who have worked with us for years, but now we’re seeing their daughters—many of whom grew up benefitting from UPAVIM’s support—taking on professional roles both inside and outside our neighborhood.

Women like Pahola Chumil represent the incredible transformation we are witnessing.

Pahola’s Journey: From UPAVIM Student to School Director

Pahola grew up watching her mother work long hours at UPAVIM, supporting their family. Like many women in our cooperative, Pahola’s mother was a single parent doing everything she could to provide a better future for her children. UPAVIM offered them stability and opportunity, not just through income but also through education.

Pahola received UPAVIM scholarships that allowed her to attend school from preschool all the way through middle school. With continued support from the cooperative, she completed Montessori training and returned to the very school that shaped her. Today, Pahola is the Director of UPAVIM’s school, and works in the same classrooms where she once studied.

During my visit, I was moved by Pahola and all of UPAVIMAS commitment to the students. Their vision is clear—they want to continue expanding UPAVIM’s programs to ensure that more children in our community have access to more opportunities than the first generation. For Pahola, leading the school is not just a job—it’s her way of giving back and inspiring the next generation.

From La Esperanza to Professional Careers

Pahola’s story is powerful, but it’s only one example of how UPAVIM’s support has shaped the lives of second-generation women. Many of these women, like Pahola, have pursued higher education and training, and are now securing professional jobs beyond the neighborhood. They are working in fields like banking, education at other schools, and beyond.

 Jenifer is also a second generation UPAVIMA and is now our English teacher after studying English at UPAVIM and beyond with the help of UPAVIM scholarships.

This shift has not only created new opportunities for them but has also had a tremendous financial impact on the third generation—their children. By breaking out of the cycle of poverty and finding success in professional careers, these women are lifting their families and building a better future for their own children.

A Legacy of Empowerment

The success of UPAVIM’s second generation is a testament to the power of education and opportunity. Through scholarships, mentorship, and employment, these women have been able to build careers that would have once seemed out of reach. But the impact doesn’t stop there. By acquiring professional jobs and creating stable financial futures, they are also investing in the next generation.

This is what makes UPAVIM so special—our work is not only about empowering women today but ensuring that future generations are able to thrive. With each success story, the ripple effect grows, creating a lasting impact on families and communities in La Esperanza and beyond.

A Call for Support

Yet even with these successes, we still need your support. For every success story like Pahola’s, there is also a heartbreaking story of struggle within our cooperative and our neighborhood. Progress in Guatemala is always precarious. Today, I return feeling hopeful, but next month, I may be writing to you in tears because something terrible has happened. The challenges are real and ever-present, but with your help, we can continue expanding our programs, supporting more women, and providing hope and safety nets to even more families. Together, we are not only changing lives—we are changing generations.

Thank you for your continued support.

With gratitude,
Alisa
US Director, UPAVIM