Guatemala has made huge strides in digital technology, with internet users growing from just 8% to 65% between 2008 and 2018. But this growth hasn’t been felt equally across the country. Over 1.5 million people, especially in remote areas, still don’t have access to electricity – much less internet – making it hard for them to connect.

The gap is even bigger between men and women. In rural areas like Alta Verapaz in northern Guatemala, only one in ten women has access to the internet, compared to 15% of men.

Watch the testimony of a young girl from rural Guatemala.

This digital divide is even more challenging for indigenous girls. Only 6 out of 10 Mayan children are enrolled in school. And for girls, the numbers are worse—many are kept at home to help with chores instead of being sent to school. In fact, 1 in 3 indigenous girls gets married before 18.

But there’s hope. Fabretto and our partner, FUNDEMI Talita Kumi, are working to change this by providing access to quality and contextualized education to indigenous girls in Alta Verapaz.

FUNDEMI Talita Kumi runs three education centers, including a secondary boarding school for girls in San Pedro de Carchá. Through our new project, we’re aiming to equip this center with computers, tech tools, and upgrades to improve access to education for girls in the area.

We’ll also be offering digital literacy training to help these girls build essential tech skills that will open doors to new opportunities. With help from Fabretto’s Digital Education Specialist, we’ll work closely with teachers to build their skills with technology integration and create engaging, relevant learning materials. This project will directly reach 250 girls in 2025, giving them the tools to succeed in school and beyond.

The girls are ready to learn, and our goal is to have the program running by July 2025. You can be part of this incredible journey—donate now!

Learn more about our partner, FUNDEMI Talita Kumi.

To learn more about Fabretto’s Impact Partners, CLICK HERE.