Heart of Corn – A Mayan Q’eqchi’ Community NGO
The Q’eqchi’ Association Xch’ool Ixim (which means “heart of corn”), is a cultural, social, and educational indigenous community organization which takes its name from the sacred corn, a fundamental element of Mayan culture that is of great importance in Q’eqchi’ family life. The organization is named “Heart of Corn” because its philosophy is based on the knowledge of Mayan Q’eqchi’ culture.
Xch’ool Ixim was founded June 7, 1993, in San José Peña Blanca, in the Cobán district, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. A diverse group of communities from the area united to start the organization in the aftermath of our country’s 36-year internal-armed conflict. Despite the signing of the Peace Accord in 1996, the indigenous peoples in the rural regions of Alta Verapaz had no access to education. As a result, Maya educators and leaders developed an indigenous association and formed five small primary schools for 1st – 6th graders in the region of Nimlajacoc to promote access to education in rural Q’eqchi’ villages.
In 2010, Xch’ool Ixim founded the first secondary school,“Instituto Maya Comunitario K’amolb’e,” (IMaCK). IMaCK remains the only secondary school in the Alta Verapaz region. It serves 7th – 12th graders and offers education and vocational training at no cost to any student who wants an education.
Our mission
To expand equitable access to education and strengthen Q’eqchi’ Maya language and cultural identity in Guatemala.
Our vision
A thriving, economically secure Q’eqchi’ Maya people, grounded in cultural identity and empowered through equitable access to education.