The Ak' Tenamit Footprint: Bridging Urban and Rural
Ak’ Tenamit’s work is concentrated in eastern Guatemala, primarily in the Río Dulce area of the municipality of Livingston within the Izabal department. We operate two rural vocational boarding high schools and dormitories: the main campus near the Río Dulce and the INDRI campus located in the department of Petén. These two educational centers, along with an administrative office in Guatemala City, allow us to serve students from 11 departments (states), representing 10 indigenous and Afro-Caribbean groups. The funds and development programs—focused on education, healthcare, and community empowerment—primarily impact the remote, underserved indigenous Q’eqchi’ Maya communities across the Izabal and Petén regions.
“Our mission is to empower indigenous youth with the skills to become leaders and create sustainable livelihoods in their home communities.”
A National Reach: Serving All of Guatemala
Our Educational Model: Students attending our schools come from rural communities across the country, often traveling great distances to access quality education. Our unique boarding school model removes the economic and logistical barriers that keep indigenous youth out of secondary education. We provide a holistic, hands-on, and culturally appropriate curriculum focused on vocational skills like Sustainable Tourism and Rural Development, ensuring graduates can find employment or start businesses directly in their home regions.
Impact at a Glance.
Education 1,200 Currently Enrolled Boarding Students (Grades 7-12, Izabal & Petén)
11
Departments
Represented
10
Indigenous & Afro-Caribbean Groups
3000+
Hours of Hands-on Job Experience for Graduates
OUR STUDENTS, OUR FUTURE
The young people on this path represent the next generation of empowered indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs. By investing in our schools, you are directly investing in the families and communities they return to, helping them break the cycle of poverty and build a sustainable future.