Changing Lives through Education since 1992
The Maya Educational Foundation (MEF) supports the educational and professional advancement of the Maya people in Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize, with special consideration given to women and girls and to students from remote areas.
Dear Friends of MEF,
As we reach the midpoint of the year, we are excited to share some of what has happened so far with you. If you are not already signed up to our bulletins by email, please sign up on our homepage www.mayaedufound.org
Some of the highlights of the year so far include:
In April 2025 we celebrated more than three decades of service of Elisabeth S. Nicholson before her retirement. In a final interview, Elisa talked about some of the changes over the years, including supporting more young women in their pursuit of higher education:
“During my time with MEF, I saw great progress in the girls; in their self-confidence and expectations about being able to do it, knowing that they can go further than middle school or elementary school. We have seen families change their minds and now encourage not just their boys but also their girls to study and to reach for the stars.”
To read Elisabeth’s full interview, click here
On behalf of MEF and our community of scholarship students, thank you Elisabeth for the years of dedication to advancing MEF’s mission in opening new educational and professional opportunities for underprivileged Maya students in Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize.
Amy Holly took over as Executive Director of MEF in April 2025, and is working hand in hand with Jacquelyn Sincal and Norma Subuyuj from our Guatemala base. To get in contact with Amy directly, contact her via amy@ mayaedufound.org, via Whatsapp +502 48063588 or by phone on +1 857 270 7940. •
In April, Norma and Amy were welcomed by our partners Sna Jtz’ibajom, Chenalhó and Amigos de San Cristóbal in Chiapas, Mexico. MEF teamed up with our partner Armando Alfonzo from Daniele Agostino Derossi Foundation to visit the Tseltal and Tsotsil
MEF staff Norma Subuyuj, Amy Holly and Jacquí Sincal pictured here at the
2nd annual Student Meeting in CIRMA, Antigua in June.
Norma and Amy were welcomed by Sna Jtz’ibajom leaders and university students in Chiapas, Mexico in April.
Maya communities in the area, to help us get a deeper understanding of the work taking place in this vibrant Mexican region. MEF currently sponsors 38 university scholarships and 7 high school scholarships in Mexico.
MEF’s Maya Scholarship Program with CIRMA had its second annual student meeting in Antigua Guatemala. 48 university students and former scholarship recipient graduates came together from across the country to create connections, share experiences and reflect on the preservation of Maya culture.
In Their Own Words
“As a future professional, my dream is to bring knowledge to mothers in my community, to improve food security in their homes. At the same time, I want to help youth who have been limited by economic factors to carry on fighting for their goals and dreams.”
Yessica was granted her technical degree in Agroforestry Engineering from Del Valle University in Sololá. She is one of our Diane Nelson Scholars and comes from a Kaqchikel family in the highlands of Guatemala and has three more years of school in order to get her Bachelor’s degree
“Thank you to the donors, who despite not knowing me, didn’t hesitate to help. Now, as a graduate of Forensic and Criminal Investigation, I am committed to using my profession to help people; for communal wellbeing, and for truth and justice.”
Clara, pictured here with her mother, is a Tz’utujil Maya student from San Pedro La Laguna. She graduated with a degree in Forensic and Criminal Investigation from Rafael Landivar University in Quetzaltenango.
“The time is right now, for us youth to act. We have so much ability and capacity, and we can preserve and restore our culture.”
Luis, a Q’eqchi speaker from Coban, is studying agricultural engineering at San Carlos University. Luis was one of 5 students who recently took part in a panel discussion about the preservation of Maya culture through clothing and language
