The Heart of the Household: How Mothers are Rewriting the Future in Guatemala

#IamGLXi

#GLXimom

A #GLXimom Rises Early and Stays Up Late

The lights in Ana Castillo’s home were often on long before the sun rose over Guatemala City.

As a teacher and principal for over 43 years, Ana María’s days began in the quiet of the early morning; preparing breakfast for her children, organizing care for her bedridden mother, and tending to her son, Isidro, who has cerebral palsy.

Only after those duties were lovingly dispensed would she turn to her other children: the students who rely on her for reading and math, geography and science.

At night, it was back to her own kids. Homework, studying, dinner and baths. If work at school forced her to be late, she’d find a way to check in with her own children anyways, determined to see them fulfill their responsibilities and turn into the sensitive, supportive professionals they are today.

It was a whirlwind of responsibility that required steady guidance and, more importantly, immense love.

"I have learned that it is not about ‘doing everything perfectly," Ana says, "but about organizing my time better and prioritizing what truly matters."

The Most Important Teacher

At Global Learning Exchange Initiative (GLXi), we see this same spirit in every community we serve.

If you walked into a home in rural Guatemala tomorrow morning, you’d likely find one person at the center of a whirlwind of activity. She’s organizing breakfast, checking that the kids are dressed for school, and making sure the youngest is practicing their letters—all while preparing for her own workday.

That person is the Guatemalan mother.

Many of GLXi’s teachers are moms performing dual roles, like Ana. Their responsibilities are immense, as they raise the next generation of leaders and caregivers, at home and at school.

Yet these women speak of efforts that are often complementary.

“Being a mother has made me more empathetic, patient, and sensitive to my students’ emotions, while being a teacher has given me tools to support my children’s learning with greater confidence,” Ana says. “I see how both roles complement each other and help me grow as both a person and a professional.”

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we wanted to pull back the curtain on the incredible women who power our mission from the ground up. They are in our classrooms and they are in our communities. They are proud bearers of the title #GLXimom.

The Pillar of the Family

In Guatemala, a mother is much more than a caregiver; she is the emotional and organizational pillar of the home. She is the guardian of cultural identity and the architect of the values that sustain her family.

Today’s Guatemalan mother is also a master of the "double workload." Whether running small businesses in local markets, or serving as professionals in an office setting, mothers increasingly balance workplace demands with the essential work of the household.

You’ll see them everywhere: running family businesses in the colorful local markets, teaching in our classrooms, or crafting beautiful textiles. They are on school committees, involved in local development initiatives and participate in religious and community activities.

The mornings and nights are LONG. It’s hard work, and an ongoing juggling of priorities.

But this dance is often fueled by a singular dream: moms giving their children opportunities they might not have had themselves.

A Decision for Education

We’ve seen that a mother’s involvement is often the deciding factor in a child’s academic success.

Long before a child meets a GLXi teacher, they’ve learned their first words and habits from their mom. Even when resources are tight, a mother’s encouragement is what keeps a child in school and motivated to learn when things get tough.

Olga Sacalxot, a #GLXimom from Quetzaletenango, embodies this steady support.

Because of the values she instills at home, her children, Yesenia and Axel, have been academic "flag bearers" since preschool. Students are chosen for this honor, in which they carry the national flag in school ceremonies, based on academic excellence, leadership, and good conduct.

Every day, Olga provides the quiet, unconditional support that allows her children to give their best, proving that a mother’s interest can change the entire trajectory of a child’s performance.

Her story represents the countless women who, with quiet dedication, build a better future for their children.

Resilience and the Power of Imagination

A mother’s impact goes beyond the home; they are often the keepers of hope for their communities.

Heydy Sánchez, a Sacatepéquez preschool teacher and survivor of depression, finds strength in the flowers and stars, her poetry, and the world of reading.

Heydy is a mother to a "little angel in heaven," Juan de Dios, along with her children, Santiago (13) and Camila (11). Through the pain of loss and the weight of depression, Heydy found her way back through the love of her family and her passion for teaching.

She sees GLXi as an opportunity for growth, not just for her students, but for herself.

"I am part of the GLXi program, which I truly enjoy because it is connected to the world of reading and has no age barriers," Heydy says. "Imagination and reading have no limits."

By modeling this love for learning, she is teaching her children and her students that they can overcome any darkness. And she is proving that a mother's resilience is a community's greatest asset.

Planting Seeds Together

GLXi quite simply could not do what it does without these women. They are our partners in every sense of the word. When we provide a book or a training tool, it is the mother who puts it into action at the kitchen table.

As Ana beautifully puts it: “Today, I recognize that balance is not a fixed state, but an ongoing process in which I adjust my schedule, priorities, and expectations day by day. I accept that not everything will always be perfect, but I have learned to take care of myself, ask for help, and appreciate the small achievements in my life as a teacher and as a mother.”

This Mother’s Day, we invite you to join GLXi’s "army of mothers." By supporting GLXi, you are investing in the women who are planting seeds for a more literate, empowered, and resilient Guatemala.

Will you support a #GLXi mom today, either by honoring a mother in your life or choosing to give in recognition of one of these mighty women? Together, we can ensure these seeds of literacy continue to grow. #IamGLXi #GLXimom