Archive
A Success Story
Every February, several members of the Quetzal Committee travel to Guatemala to visit and connect with our students and staff. We also bring groups who are interested in seeing the amazing progress and dedication of our university students. For the girls it's an opportunity to share how deeply appreciative they are for the chance of a lifetime to become professional nurses, engineers, lawyers, professors, etc. Without exception, they all want to give back to their communities and country.
This year was especially celebratory as three students graduated as Registered Nurses. In Guatemala most nurses have but one year of training. To have 3 years puts them in a position to be the most qualified medical professional in their communities. All come from illiterate parents, so this is quite an evolutionary leap. We are so very proud of them!
Perhaps this is best exemplified in the words of one of our sponsors. “I don’t know how to put into words how proud I am of Zonia for reaching this accomplishment. The amount of hours, days, months and years she has spent studying and sacrificing to reach this goal is amazing. She looks so ‘smart’ in her uniform! There is no doubt in my mind that she will do great work and touch the lives of many in her community. The only thing that would have been better is if I had been there when she graduated. I look forward to the video of Zonia and her family.”
Archive
Kentucky Derby Tea Raises $8,500 for Q Fund Scholarships
May 4, 2019
On May 4, the Quetzal University Fund sponsored a Kentucky Derby Tea fundraiser at the home of Barbara and Al Steger in Evergreen. Over 40 participants enjoyed a delightful luncheon and tea prepared by a team of dedicated volunteers who went all out with an assortment of delicacies. Tables were decorated in Kentucky Derby fashion, and the ladies in the crowd enjoyed showing off their colorful hats and other Kentucky derby attire. The highlight of the day was an address by Lidia Oxi, Director of the MAIA Impact School High School in Solola Guatemala. Lidia spoke of her own humble beginnings in a large family in rural Guatemala, and how she has been able to progress to a position of leadership in her community thanks to support from people like those in attendance. Together the tea raised nearly $8,500, including at least one new sponsor for a Quetzal Fund student.
Partner MAIA Wins Prestigious Award
January 15, 2019
MAIA’s Impact School has been awarded the Zayed Sustainability Prize for Global High Schools in the Americas! This prize is given to high schools across six geographic regions that can demonstrate impact, innovation, and inspiration to enable inclusive and equitable access to quality education. School Directors, Vilma Saloj and Lidia Oxi, traveled to the United Arab Emirates with Ester Bocel, a 9th-grader at the Impact School to attend the ceremony and receive the award. Congratulations MAIA!!! We're proud to have you as our partner.
Quetzal University Fund Forms New Alliance with The Evergreen Rotary Foundation
January 1, 2019
We're excited about our new partnership with the Evergreen Rotary Foundation (ERF). The ERF is the charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Evergreen Colorado, and has supported MAIA (formerly Starfish One-by-One) since Starfish was founded by Ted and Connie Ning in 2010. Ted continues as a member of the Rotary Club and serves on the current steering committee for the Quetzal University Fund. The new arrangement has many advantages, the most significant being reduced administrative costs allowing us to dedicate a larger share of donations to scholarships. We welcome the Evergreen Rotary Foundation and look forward a productive partnership in the years ahead.
Quetzal University Fund Raises $3400 for Scholarships at Fall Fundraiser
November 3, 2018
On November 3, the Quetzal University Fund hosted a fundraiser at the home of Holly and Jeff Brekke in Evergreen, Colorado. Over 40 people attended. The highlight of the night was hearing from special guest, Andrea Coche Mendoza, the Director of Programs at the new MAIA Impact School in Solola, Guatemala. Andrea shared her personal story of growing up in a home where she had to continually convince her father to support her education. They argued about this over the course of many years. Now this same father is proud of a daughter who's finishing her Masters Degree and is part of the leadership staff at the new MAIA school for girls.
The Quetzal University Fund Thanks Sponsors with a Picnic in the Park
September 15, 2018
On September 15, the Quetzal University Fund played host to 20 sponsors at a picnic at the Heritage Grove Park in Evergreen to celebrate their participation. Each sponsor supports one or more Q Fund scholars by contributing an amount to cover tuition costs for entire school year. There are currently 28 girls that are supported by sponsors.
We were fortunate to have two visitors from the program in Guatemala join us at the celebration, Norma Bajan Balan, the Guatemala CEO for MAIA, and Milsa Marleny Sajvin, one of our Q Fund scholars.
The Q Fund could not have had the success we have had without the generous support from these individuals. THANK YOU!!!
A Kentucky Derby Tea
Saturday, May 4
SAVE THE DATE
Support our Quetzal University Fund scholars
Meet our in-country scholarship director
Indulge in derby culinary delights
