It is certainly a necessity to change the lives of the indigenous in Guatemala.  The daily, grinding poverty will not and cannot change without their children receiving a good education and finding new opportunities.

Literacy is not only about reading and writing – it’s a fundamental skill that opens doors to personal growth, societal development and global interaction.  Its benefits extend to individuals, communities, and societies.  The advantages of literacy are boundless:

1)        Empowered to make informed decisions – ability to access and understand vital 
            information, including health advice, legal rights, and job opportunities.

2)        Fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze and 
            evaluate information.

3)        Improved employment prospects – access to better-paying jobs and a wider range of 
           career opportunities.

4)        Fosters entrepreneurial skills – individuals learn to manage and grow businesses by 
           reading contracts, creating marketing materials, and understanding financial documents.

5)        Better health decisions and outcomes - equipped to understand medical instruction, read 
            labels and engage with healthcare providers.

6)        Encourages preventive health measures – awareness of health information reduces the 
            risk of disease and improves overall quality of life.

7)        Informed citizenship- ability to make informed choices in democratic processes and 
           advocate for their rights.

8)        Participation in civic activities such voting, understanding political issue, and engaging in 
            public discussions.

9)        Foundation for further education – access to textbooks, ability to complete assignments 
            and developing higher-level thinking skills.

10)     Strong literacy base supports lifelong learning, allowing acquisition of new skills and 
            knowledge.

11)      Cultural awareness – engagement with literature, history, and art, expanding cultural 
            understanding and appreciations.

12)       Improved cognitive skills – reading and writing improve memory, concentration, and 
             overall cognitive function.  Enhances vocabulary and language skills, facilitating better 
             communication.

13)      Reduces inequality – bridges social and economic gaps by providing marginalized or 
            underserved groups with the tools they need to succeed.

14)       Gender equality – transformative for women and girls leading to greater gender 
             equality and empowering women to take on leadership roles, pursue careers, and 
             improve their communities.

15)       Supporting their children’s education – literate parents are better able to help with 
             homework and engage with teacher positively impacting academic performance.

16)       Intergenerational benefits – passing literacy down through generations creates a cycle 
             of improvement and opportunity into the future.

17)       Fosters effective communication in reading and writing– allows individuals to articulate 
             ideas, emotions, and arguments clearly 

18)       Social integration – aids in connecting with others and navigating social systems 
              whether through reading social media, participating in group discussions, or 
              understanding public notices.

19)        Access to the digital world – literacy is critical for navigating online platforms, reading 
              emails, and engaging with global news, fostering international understanding and 
              cooperation.

20)        Cultural exchange – enables individuals to read and communicate with people across
               cultures, expanding personal horizons and fostering global collaboration.