At our partner Talita Kumi’s Educational Center in San Pedro Carchá, a fully modernized computer lab has been reopened, now equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The space has been named the Carlo Acutis Laboratory

A joint effort for digital empowerment

This transformation was made possible thanks to the work of the Fabretto Foundation, which—through partnerships with Cross Catholic Outreach, the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, and other generous donors to Fabretto’s Spring Campaign—has been collaborating with Talita Kumi to empower more than 250 Q’eqchi’ Indigenous students. 

Access to computers and the internet represents a significant shift for these young women—many of whom had never interacted with technology before. This initiative seeks to reduce the digital divide and create new opportunities for academic growth and personal development.

In addition to the equipment, Fabretto will be supporting Talita Kumi with teacher training in technology integration and identifying digital resources to use in the classroom.

Celebration and commitment

During the inauguration, representatives from partner organizations—Pamela Thomas from Cross Catholic, Kevin Marinacci and Brenda Xum from Fabretto Foundation—joined Father Jorge Puthenpura SDB, founder of Talita Kumi, along with the school’s teaching and administrative staff. After the formal ceremony, the guests toured the facilities and spent meaningful moments with the boarding students.

The Reality of the Digital Divide in Rural Guatemala

In Guatemala, the digital divide between urban and rural areas remains deep. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and a 2023 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report, less than 20% of rural households have internet access, and in many Indigenous communities in the northern region, the use of computers in education is nearly nonexistent. As the IDB states, “digital connectivity is not a luxury, but an essential condition for inclusion and development in the 21st century.” In this context, education initiatives with a technological focus are more necessary than ever.

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