Lilian Marleny Bolvito Gonzalez

Lilian Marleny Bolvito Gonzalez is Mayan Achi from the village of Chuategua Rabinal Baja in Verapaz, Guatemala. Despite economic hardship that forced her to drop out of school, she and her sister were able to complete their primary education in the New Hope Community Bilingual Institute with support from the New Hope Foundation. Lilian continued her studies at the school and received a diploma in Rural Well-Being and Community Development in 2015. She now works for the local organization, Qachuu Aloom, as part of an agro-ecology team, providing training and accompaniment to the community in the production of native crops and seeds. Lilian is doing what she loves. She says, “the Foundation has helped young people like myself realize our dreams and better our lives and those of the community”. She is also pursuing a degree in Agricultural Engineering at the Rural University of Rabinal.