Impact Spotlight

Solar PV installation that saves US$10,000 on utility bills annually

32 metric tons of carbon emissions eliminated each year

Solar education for over 150 students, staff, and parents

About

MAIA is Central America’s first secondary school specifically designed for indigenous girls. MAIA is known throughout Guatemala and the region as a pioneering learning organization, and their work empowers their students (known at MAIA as “Girl Pioneers”) to become skilled, thoughtful leaders in their communities and beyond.

Guatemala’s high prevalence of poverty (60% of the population resides below the poverty line) is compounded by the fact that it is also considered one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. Guatemala is in urgent need of creative and bold solutions. MAIA takes direct aim at Guatemala’s pervasive inequality in the fields of race, class, and gender. While Guatemala scores extremely poorly in all of these categories, global data continues to demonstrate how educating girls profoundly and positively impacts each of these areas of equity and social inclusion.

“Putting solar panels on a roof is great— but putting panels on the right roof for the right people is better. In general I think education for women has a huge impact on development, when you combine that with energy access it’s pretty potent stuff. ”

— Alex Honnold

HF Partnership

With the Honnold Foundation’s support, MAIA is designing and installing a grid-tied solar array to power their 36,000 square foot Impact School. They will also conduct solar energy workshops for MAIA staff and 10th grade students and their parents.

As one of the only organizations in Guatemala that is led and run by Maya women from the community it serves, MAIA demonstrates how international innovation can be contextualized and replicated throughout the region. MAIA’s Impact School is designed to serve “outliers” who will illuminate a path towards an alternative destination in which young women are fully engaged in Guatemala’s society and economy, and the Honnold Foundation is honored to support them in their work.