Jaime Vielman Celebrates Five Years with GLXi as Executive Director - Guatemala

Our Executive Director - Guatemala, Jaime Vielman, recently celebrated five years with our organization. In his time at Global Learning Exchange Initiative (GLXiⓇ), Jaime has helped spur exciting changes in how we train our teachers, and he successfully guided our organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We thought our readers might enjoy hearing directly from Jaime about his experience so far at GLXi, his reflections on the past five years, and his goals for GLXi’s future. Please click through the questions below to see his answers.

Thank you, Jaime, for all you do for GLXi and the classrooms of Guatemala!

Q & A with Jaime Vielman

• Q: We wanted to start by saying, ‘Congratulations!’ In your five years with Global Learning Exchange Initiative, the organization has experienced significant growth while also overcoming challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. As you reflect on your experience with GLXi over the past half-decade, what are the first three words or phrases that come to mind?

  Thank you for the congratulations. The first three words that come to mind when reflecting on these five years with GLXi are: Adaptation, Impact, and Commitment.

  The challenges presented by the pandemic in 2020 made us recognize the urgency to adapt as an organization and to adjust our programs to continue reaching our teachers and expanding our reach. Our commitment to education and Guatemalan children drove us to keep working to ensure that our programs became more accessible, which in turn ensures a more significant impact.

• Q: You have an impressive bio. Prior to joining GLXi, you worked in a variety of roles in finance, planning and strategy design, and human resources. How did those previous experiences help prepare you for this job?

  My experience in strategic and financial management has been essential to ensuring that resources are used efficiently at GLXi, especially as we continue to grow as an organization. It is crucial that every dollar is used to advance our long-term goals.

  Additionally, my skills in project planning and execution have been fundamental to the changes and direction our programs have taken in recent years.

  Leadership and team management are also must-have skills in this type of job. My experience in human resources and as an entrepreneur taught me how to motivate and lead diverse teams, set clear goals, and foster a collaborative environment.

  All of this is key to aligning our efforts with GLXi's mission and effectively supporting our teachers.

• Q: Why did you choose to work for GLXi?

  I chose to work for GLXi because, as a Guatemalan, I have a deep understanding of the educational challenges my country faces, particularly in the area of reading. My own family history inspired me to contribute to change. My father and grandfather did not have access to an adequate education, and I saw the struggles my parents faced in providing the same to my sisters and me.

  Working for GLXi gives me the opportunity to positively impact the lives of Guatemalan children, helping them overcome educational barriers and break the cycle of poverty through reading. I am motivated by the possibility of offering them the tools and support they need to succeed, and I am committed to the organization's mission of improving educational quality in the communities that need it most.

• Q: What were your main goals when you were hired as GLXi’s Executive Director - Guatemala? And what are your goals for the next five years?

  When I was hired as GLXi's Executive Director - Guatemala, my main objectives were to strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver effective, high-quality educational programs and to increase our reach in the most underserved communities. I also aimed to implement new strategies to adapt our educational methodologies to the specific needs of teachers and students in Guatemala.

  Over time, these objectives evolved in response to the opportunities and challenges we faced. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, accelerated the need to adapt our programs to an online format, allowing us to reach more teachers and students despite physical limitations. Today, our objectives include the continuous improvement of our programs and the expansion of our impact in rural and underserved areas.

  For the next five years, I aim to continue innovating in our educational methodologies and expanding our collaboration network with other organizations and communities.

  I am also committed to ensuring that our programs remain accessible and relevant for teachers and students, in order to continue improving educational quality and contribute significantly to eradicating illiteracy and poverty in Guatemala.

• Q: GLXi is a non-profit with staff in both the U.S. and Guatemala. How does having efforts and resources in both countries create unique opportunities for the organization?

  Having efforts and resources in both countries creates significant opportunities for GLXi by allowing us to leverage a combination of resources, experiences, and perspectives.

  In the U.S., we have a support network that includes donors, collaborators, and education experts who contribute funding, knowledge, and resources. Additionally, the backing of GLXi U.S. helps attract more funds and establish strategic partnerships with other international organizations.

  In Guatemala, we have a deep understanding of the needs and realities of the educational context. This local perspective is essential for effectively adapting our strategies and programs. The staff in Guatemala also facilitate the implementation of programs and direct interaction with teachers and students, ensuring that our initiatives are culturally relevant and tailored to local conditions.

• Q: Are there any misconceptions about GLXi’s work that you would like to clear up?

  Yes, sometimes there are misunderstandings about the focus and objectives of GLXi. Some people may think that, as a U.S.-based organization, we are trying to impose external ideas or agendas on Guatemalan communities. However, I want to make it clear that our sole intention is to improve education and support Guatemalan children through reading and writing.

  All of our programs and resources, including training, books, and school supplies, are completely free for teachers. The only thing we ask for is their motivation and desire to contribute positively to their communities and to the educational development of children. Our commitment is to offer authentic and effective support that addresses local needs and enhances learning in the country.

• Q: What has been the most rewarding experience in your time with GLXi?

  One of the most rewarding experiences has been seeing the tangible and transformative impact that our reading and writing program has had on children and teachers in Guatemala.

  On many occasions, our teachers have shared with us – with great emotion – how the children in their classes have rebounded from the pandemic. These are kids whose academic and reading levels had suffered, but who showed a renewed enthusiasm when they saw the physical books. 

  The active participation of these children in guided reading sessions where the book is projected onto the wall has been particularly encouraging. Observing how they develop a true passion for reading, and begin to improve their reading and writing skills, has been deeply moving. And the joy and enthusiasm of the teachers, as they witness their students’ progress, clearly reflects the positive impact of our work.

  Moreover, the commitment and dedication of the teachers, who work enthusiastically to apply the tools and techniques we provide, has been a constant source of inspiration. Their efforts to improve education in their communities, and the evident progress of their students, underscores the value and effectiveness of our program.

  This kind of outcome – where it is clear that our initiatives are making a real difference in the lives of children – is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences in my work with GLXi.

• Q: What has been the biggest challenge?

  One of the biggest challenges we have faced at GLXi is the limited visibility and recognition of our organization in Guatemala. Despite our commitment and the positive impact achieved so far, the general community is still not fully informed about our programs and the importance of our mission.

  As a result, we have to work harder to establish relationships, demonstrate the value of our initiatives, and build a strong reputation in the national educational field. It is important to educate and raise awareness among these audiences about how our focus on reading and writing can positively transform education and the future of Guatemala's children.

• Q: Tell us something about yourself that people may not know but would find interesting.

  Something people might not know about me is that I love cooking. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with different recipes and flavors. At one point, I even considered studying to become a chef. Cooking has always been a creative outlet for me and a way to connect with others.

• Q: Rapid fire - Name your favorite...

  Song: 'A Sky Full of Stars' by Coldplay

  Food: Hilachas, a traditional Guatemalan dish 

  Place to Visit: Tikal, Peten

  TV Show: Succession

  Hobby: Woodworking

  Sport: American Football

ABOUT JAIME

Jaime Vielman is a 36-year-old Guatemalan professional with education in Public Accounting and Auditing from the Mariano Gálvez University in Guatemala. Currently, he serves as Executive Director of Global Learning Exchange Initiative in Guatemala. He is committed to the vision and mission of the organization, which recognizes the importance of literacy in early education to help eradicate illiteracy and school dropout rates in the future. Additionally, Jaime understands the need to support the academic preparation of teachers in public schools to improve the educational quality of Guatemalan children.

Prior to joining GLXi, Jaime gained work experience in finance, planning and strategy design, and human resources. From 2008 to 2012, he worked as Budget Manager at the Municipality of Jocotenango, where he gained knowledge in human resources, management of supplier relationships, and the formulation of the annual operational plan for the mayor and council members. In 2013, he joined De la Gente as Financial Coordinator, where he implemented various accounting management tools, managed financial information on projects, and handled bank accounts in the United States and Guatemala.

In 2015, Jaime was promoted to Financial Director at De la Gente, where he was responsible for cash flow management, supplier relationships, and financial statements, as well as the development of accounting procedures manuals to improve internal efficiency. He maintained relationships with Guatemalan and American accountants to improve internal processes throughout his tenure.

In addition to his work experience in finance and budgeting, Jaime is also a successful entrepreneur. In 2018, he co-founded Canela Antigua and worked as a Managing Partner until 2021. In this position, he gained extensive experience in personnel recruitment, implementing growth strategies and objectives, budget control, and optimization of expenses.

You can support GLXi’s ongoing work in Guatemala by donating here.